Friend Registering Bank Account to my Address - Will it Affect me?

Aquamania

I didn't think most banks allow customers to have a bank account unless they have a UK contact address?
I know it's not usually an issue if you just go abroad tempoarily (say 3-5 years) but banks don't usually continue to accept those who have emigrated permantly without a UK contact address

Seems to be related to anti-money laundering rules which are only tightening up.
In 2009, it was only Barclays, HSBC and Lloyds that continued to accept customers who moved overseas permanently
http://www.connexionfrance.com/uk-bank-accounts-for-non-residents-10441-news-article.html

But I know Barclaycard has recently clamped down on overseas credit card holders who have not used their account for at least 6 months
http://www.connexionfrance.com/Barclaycard-closing-accounts-non-UK-address-readers-15679-view-article.html

so it wouldn't surprise me if Barclays soon take a similar view of their current account holders.

I know many UK based customers have had their Barclays accounts closed recently due to them not meeting the Barclays ideal profile, so it's not as though Barclays are keen to hold onto customers that may cause them more trouble than others.

Aquamania

Jaith wrote: »

A friend of mine has recently moved abroad and asked if they can register their account at my address, as they are concerned about it being closed down if they ignore correspondence.

I have phoned the bank (HSBC) who told me it's absolutely fine to do this; they didn't differentiate between postal address and registered address.

Clearly if the person claimed they were living at this address it would be misleading/fraudulent, but as far as I know that's not a requirement for the bank account to be registered here, so it's all legit.

I just want to be 100% certain that it won't affect me credit rating in the future. I appreciate that credit reports are associated with an individual not an address, but I'd like to be certain that the credit agencies won't automatically associate the account or the individual with me, since I'm looking to apply for a new mortgage shortly.

Has anybody had experience with this?

You already seem to know the answer. Why do you think it will be any different for you? :huh: