Advice on opening a bank account when newly arrived in the UK

meer53

JKSandy wrote: »

I don't get why the UK can't follow some other EU countries in that your employer can give a reference to the bank to confirm employment and they can then open an account.

Although maybe that's only for other EU citizens.

That would obviously depend on who the employer is. It wouldn't work.

Archi_Bald

meer53 wrote: »

That would obviously depend on who the employer is. It wouldn't work.

Some UK employers arrange for NI numbers and personal bank accounts, for their employees who come to the UK on a temporary or permanent basis. It does work.

It's not exactly relevant for the OP's wife though................

Anthorn

anoncol wrote: »

How does a salary get paid onto a prepaid card?

Same way it gets paid into a bank account, by BACS or Faster Payments. Most prepaid cards provide a bank sort code and account number and the prepaid card number or other account number attached to the prepaid card is the reference.

jjlandlord

I don't understand this complicated discussion.

Assuming that she is looking for work and has proof of address:

1. Find job

NI number will sort itself through employer and DWP when she starts work.

2. Open bank account (with HSBC as mentioned above, or someone else) showing employment contract, ID, and proof of address.

Done.

Anthorn

jjlandlord wrote: »

I don't understand this complicated discussion.

Assuming that she is looking for work and has proof of address:

1. Find job

NI number will sort itself through employer and DWP when she starts work.

2. Open bank account (with HSBC as mentioned above, or someone else) showing employment contract, ID, and proof of address.

Done.

It is proof of address but not as clear cut as that sometimes. It's proof of residency in the UK which is usually proved with a utility bill short of being on the electoral roll.

10pence

How many of you posting here actually work or have worked for a bank? I worked for one for nearly a decade, covering many different roles, one such role was opening accounts for ppl from overseas.

NH2004 wrote: »

The reason I "keep going on about it" is because that is the reason the banks have told me she can't open an account.
Not because of the country she is from.
Her ID, proof of address and visa are all present and correct, so there should not really be a problem there.

That's what they say as telling you the truth would probably cause offence. The bank needs to satisfy the necessary AML and AT rules, regulations. No one new to the UK will have a UK based credit rating, but many ppl open accounts.
I would hazard a guess that because your wife is from a higher risk country and the 'bank salesperson' will have to do extra steps to open the account they couldn't be bothered - easier ways to get a bonus. If you can't open an account you will not be able to add your wife to a credit card either.

Banks don't have to open you an account.

jjlandlord wrote: »

If she is looking for a job, it may be useful to wait until she has found one and signed her contract.
I highly doubt HSBC (or another bank marketing accounts for people new to the UK) will refuse her application if she shows an employment contract.

JKSandy wrote: »

I don't get why the UK can't follow some other EU countries in that your employer can give a reference to the bank to confirm employment and they can then open an account.

Although maybe that's only for other EU citizens.

Very few banks accept contract of employment any more. Bank I use to work for did have a few contracts for companies to open accounts for new starters whether it be UK or overseas, on production of contract of employment letter. Even so, if incorrect information and account wouldn't be opened. The companies are vetted and only approved after security checks to minimise risk and fraud to bank.

jjlandlord wrote: »

I don't understand this complicated discussion.

Assuming that she is looking for work and has proof of address:

1. Find job

NI number will sort itself through employer and DWP when she starts work.

2. Open bank account (with HSBC as mentioned above, or someone else) showing employment contract, ID, and proof of address.

Done.

Unfortunately it is complicated. Some of your response is answered above. Someone has already mentioned about HSBC and it's settlement over the Mexico affair. I can recount several cases where bank staff have failed to follow the correct procedures vast frauds, money laundering and even an account opened for a known terror suspect, (person that opened that was sacked immediately upon discovery, however account was forced to stay open under licence at considerable extra costs to bank due to legal proceedings) have occurred. Fraud and money laundering was one of the reasons my bank stopped taking employment contracts unless vetted by head office.

Last bit:
Someone has mentioned going to different branches of the same bank, I would recommend this is done as some will refuse but others might accept, even though they're supposed to be following the same playbook. IF refused, complaint is probably only option.

jjlandlord

I'm confident that if she applies at HSBC with the documents I mentioned they will open an account.

If all fails, she can uses OP's account for some time until she can open hers, or a joint-account.

NH2004

Thanks all for the advice.

10Pence - Thanks, you have clarified the situation very well. Can I ask will she stand a better chance once she has lived in the country for a longer period of time?

And is there anything we can do in the meantime to increase our chances of being able to,open an account?

For now as other posters suggest we will just use my account as it seems impossible.

Elefanchito

Have you tried to get the HSBC Passport account. Here is a link to the brochure: http://www.hsbc.co.uk/content_static/en/ukpersonal/pdfs/en/passport_brochure.pdf

Its not a free account unfortunately (£8 a month) but its designed exactly for people in your wife's scenario with no or limited UK proof of address. etc as they will accept foreign documents.

Its worth a try and whilst the £8 monthly fee is not great, in reality its a small price to pay to solve the initial problem. Perhaps after 3-6 months after getting the account your wife could then apply for a Cashcard account with Barclays or Nationwide or get the Halifax Easycash account (all of which have no approved overdraft attached to them and so are easier to obtain as you are not "applying" for credit) and then get free banking and so be able to ditch the Passport account.

Also try to get your wife on the electoral role if possible. As Gambia is a former British Commonwealth country, its citizens residing lawfully in the UK are eligible to enrol to vote in the UK. Getting her on the electoral role with assist enormously as most banks check the electoral role as part of their ID and fraud checks to open a bank account and if they can't find you there, many will decline the application automatically.

Could you not get her added to your Council Tax bill fairly easily and then request a new bill be issued. That would suffice as proof of address for sure, though if you are currently getting the single persons discount, it might cost you to add her...

colsten

I believe HSBC Passport has not been available to new applicants for a couple of years now.

Elefanchito wrote: »

As Gambia is a former British Commonwealth country, its citizens residing lawfully in the UK are eligible to enrol to vote in the UK.

I doubt this is true. Only qualifying citizens of current Commonwealth countries can register.