First bank account for American moving to the UK

AngelinoAbroad

Hi there,

I only just found this board yesterday as I was researching auto insurance companies and you folks are an amazing resource!

I am moving to the UK from the US this week and need to open a bank account. I have owned my own home in the US for more than a decade and have a sterling credit history, but apparently none of that travels with me to the UK.

What kind of account would you suggest I try to open? As I have no history there, I am beginning to understand the challenges of trying to open an account. I have around 20k in funds to transfer to an account and I'd like to have access to a debit card and a credit card. I have a job that will pay me monthly and I would direct deposit my salary directly to the account.

Thank you very much for any suggestions and I really appreciate you reading this message.

Thanks,
Andy

xylophone

https://www.lloydsbank.com/banking-with-us/joining-lloyds/new-to-the-uk.asp

might be worth a try.

msallen

If you have a US issued Amex (issued directly by American Express themselves not a third party bank), then I believe they will consider your US account history in opening a UK Amex account. That would get you a first entry in your UK credit files, and start building your credit history here.

hoc

A current account is easy. Ask your employer to write a simple letter confirming your employment details and take to the bank with an ID. This can take place of all other checks if it is a major/known employer, otherwise you may also need some extras of residence like council tax, utility bill, etc. An appointment would be best, this may take 30 minutes or so to complete.

Getting a credit card (or other loan) generally won't be immediate unless you are using the same institution (Citi, AMEX, etc.)

This was my experience a few years ago moving from US to UK.

[Deleted User]

Also, it's worth asking for a "Basic" bank account by name - rather than a regular one. They only check your ID, rather than a full credit search.

On top of that, if you're wanting to build your credit file, consider a Sim only for your mobile phone. You'll need a debit card, but then you can pretty much walk into somewhere like Three and hook one up.

AngelinoAbroad

Great information! Thank you everyone. Banking here is all so similar, but just different enough to get one in trouble. Kind of like our two languages!

solentsusie

Welcome to MSE AngelinoAbraod


From my experience Barclays Bank has been very helpful with nurses transferring from abroad to the UK so they might be worth a shot. My son's partner who is from Bulgaria and came to the UK as a student also banks with them and they were brilliant with her.


It is usually useful to go into a branch with as much ID and proof of residency as possible rather than trying to apply online. The bank will then be able to advise which account will be most suitable for you.


I also agree with hoc above on the employee letter front, in the NHS we would get the bank to come in and sign up groups of nurses as we could verify their employment status there and then. None of the nurses were obliged to bank with any particular provider but we gave them this option to help with their transfer to the UK.


Good luck with the new job.