Students New UK Bank Account?

Ringmer

Hi there,

I am an International Student and have come here for pursuing my Masters, what I am looking for is a Bank that I could open an account without spending any monthly fee. When I went to open my account with Barclays, they are charging me 5 Pounds/Month or I should have minimum of 2000 Pounds balance to get my account opened with Debit Card & other facilities. However, if I require just a basic cash card account, its free.

This is the same case with HSBC, who are charging 6 Pounds / Month or 60 Pounds / Year. Why are they charging for a Bank Account? Thats so lame, some of my friends who reached here earlier have accounts from above said banks with free of charge. They got the offer just because they reached UK earlier.. this really doesn't make sense?

Please suggest me a good bank where I don't have to spend maintaining my account every month.

Please advice.

Cheers!

jamiesun

natwest step account wont charge you and you can get a solo debit card

mzqa395

Also lloyds TSB classic account( even better they give international students visa debit card in contrast natwest only give you solo card