Look here first -> Banking in the UK

seem to be more relaxed than the other banks.i simply supplied a letter from my employer, a copy of a bank statement (yes the took a downloaded one from the web), my passport and my drivers license with the same address that i had on my bank statement.

and bob is your uncle!

To tell you the truth, I fond this procedure very easy. I had been banking with Royal Bank in Canada for many years, but when I had decided that I'd be moving to the UK, I opened a sterling savings account with HSBC in Canada.

I then arranged through the HSBC Canada people to open a bank account with HSBC UK. I just had to show them my entry clearance papers, and they handled the rest. Infact, i got my debit card, and account details including internet banking before even leaving Canada.

No problems at all, infact, it was a seamless transition, a couple wire transfers later, and it was as though nothing happened.

I've got to say my banking process was pretty much painless as well. I went with Barclay's. I went to the branch on Strand in London. I had my contract of employment from Harrod's plus my rent agreement, but didn't need them. All I needed was my passport, Ontario drivers licence with my home address on it, as well as a bank statement from home within the last three months. I got the most basic account with a visa electron card and it doesn't have any fees with it except when I take money out abroad. They sent everything out single piece by single piece in the mail for security purposes. I'm happy with everything. The only thing is the bank hours suck, but thats standard with all their banks here. Was getting spoiled it seemed at home with TD having teller hours til 8.

Im going through the process here in Montreal through HSBC and its a lot of paperwork but they say its quite an easy process to open a bank account from here even though I dont have an HSBC account here. We'll see how this goes with them when I submit all the paper work tomorrow and they send them to UK.

has links with banco santander in spain and royal bank of canada. sensible ,fastest thing to do before you leave is ask the banks you bank with in your country who they are partnered with in the country you are going to, both bank of scotland and royal bank of scotland have more international links than most english based banks. I was able to open my edinburgh account in spain . working in banking does help .

Its opening a full on current account that is so hard. If you don't need an overdraft then you can get an account with The Co-operative Account called the Cashminder relatively easy. You will need a permanent address and a way to prove that. A lease will work.


If you are coming here with a job offer, then a good company would help you open a full on current account with the bank which does their corporate bank accounts. Speak to someone in HR or even your accounts department if the support is not offered up front.


Before you leave find out who your current Canadian bank uses as its correspondent bank in the UK. A reference letter from one to the other will help immensely. If you bank with a credit union, there are now some credit unions here in the UK which offer proper bank accounts. You can find more information at the ABCUL org website . If there isn't a suitable credit union for you, head for The Co-operative Bank

Go to HSBC in Canada. Open an account. When you want to move to the UK, tell HSBC and they will set up an account for you in the HSBC branch of your choosing in the UK. You will arrive in the UK with a fully functioning bank account, minus your credit rating.

Difficulty in setting up an account seems to vary from bank to bank with it generally getting stricter over the past four years. Try Barclays.

I am a foreign exchange dealer at Voltrex Foreign Exchange if you are thinking of emigrating to the Uk contact me to get a better exchange rate for your Canadian dollar savings.

hmm yeah, this can be pretty hectic. Lloyd's turned me down outright, no explanations, no Sir. apply for your driving licence they told me, get a proof of address then come back. then MAYBE we can do something for you.
huh.
then i tried Abbey. but well that's more like a building society, but it did the trick.
all i needed was my passport and i gave my cousin's flat add as my own. worked out fine.

I went to a barclays a few days ago and it was pretty easy to open up my bank account, which is quite surprising! Thought it would be a nightmare! Went there last Friday, told them i wanted to open up a bank account. They asked my if i had a job or if i was a student. Then i took an appointment for the next Monday morning. All I needed was my passport and driving license. they did'nt ask me for any proof of address. They just asked for my address so they can send me a confirmation letter and my debit card. Took about 30-45 minutes and it was all done.

I went to the Barclays on Borough High street right next to the London Bridge Station. If that can help anyone.

Good luck!