Which Bank? Just Moved to UK

Porcupine

Opening an account at a local branch is a good plan, because staff can't fob you off so easily. It's much easier to turn up with a stack of papers and wave them at the assistant ('...and here's my Elbonian military ID card') until you pass the necessary checks, rather than the 'computer says no' approach that you might get from applying online or over the phone.

benjus

macman wrote: »

I'm not sure either, as the most rudimentary ID check will require proof of address, as well as proof of identity.

Maybe they were happy with a proof of address from her home country. HSBC's passport account can be opened with this, although I wouldn't recommend it unless you can't get any other account, as it it carries a monthly fee.

Archi_Bald

benjus wrote: »

Maybe they were happy with a proof of address from her home country. HSBC's passport account can be opened with this, although I wouldn't recommend it unless you can't get any other account, as it it carries a monthly fee.

HSBC passport is no longer available to new applicants
https://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gPI08LDwMTIw93H38XA0cDyyA_Z39_YwMDA6B8pFm8gYWJt4Gft2eQi4Gzh6OJh6-FoQEEEKPb2d3Rw8TcB8gP83Q18DRxMjEw9XUzNPA0JqC7IDc0FACQKycG/

Voyager2002

Once you are established it is very easy to move banks, so getting it wrong at this stage does not really matter. Different banks are good for different things, so you need to work out what you want and then decide accordingly.

There is no need to get your credit card from the bank where you have your main current account: just look for the best deal.

You should not need to pay fees for banking unless you have some specialised needs.

jinkster

IF you worked in Lux for a number of years how about HSBC and the Global view service?

10pence

benjus wrote: »

Maybe they were happy with a proof of address from her home country. HSBC's passport account can be opened with this, although I wouldn't recommend it unless you can't get any other account, as it it carries a monthly fee.

HSBC Passport account is no longer on sale - more likely it will be part of a new wave of account mis-selling scandal.

The account used to be opened on the home country address with a UK based address as a correspondence address.

Most UK banks will open an account (generally with no lending faculties), on a over-seas address (satisfies the proof of address for last 3 years) and relevant ID. The UK address can be verified through a bill or other correspondence - possibly employers letter from a known employer: HSBC stopped using agency letters a long time ago due to multiple frauds.

System

TSB or Santander or Halifax are probably your best bets.

Since your coming from abroad, I'd get a bank that has branches as you may need to produce (various) documentation to get it setup.

cheexy

Santander is very good.

Stretchryan

Thanks everyone for your advice. My nationality is Irish and living in London. Going to hit the high-street in my local area today and open an account. As been said above will open one and then when have time will transfer my account to what suits me best. Just need an account as withdrawing from Eur account fees are horrendous and difference in FX rate from bank to bank is vast. Thanks to all again