Look here first--> Banking in the UK

riverfox
Senior Member


Meow meow meow

Joined: 30 Dec 2007
Posts: 116
Location: Brighton

Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:14 pm

 

---

There are a number of services which will help you organize a bank account for a small fee. Whether you need them or not is up to you.

If you are new to the country you'll probably be paying bank charges for the first 6 months at which point provided you've been a solid customer you can ask them to remove these fees. At least this was my experience with Natwest.

HSBC UK has a passport Bank account which you can start if you like:

http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/personal/current-acco...MWXy3t1:12ntf1n0a

I've heard from various people that setting something up at HSBC in one country doesn't always make it easier to get your account to another

Another thing that I've been given to understand is that in general the banks quite willing to help you set up an account provided you have proof of address(something official like a bill with your name and address on it.), and an offer of employment, along with your visa.

I set up my account through the swap program so it was really just me making an appointment and walking down to the bank and telling them the program I was with and that I wanted an account and that was about it.

---

murtle_007
CanuckAbroad Regular



Joined: 03 Oct 2006
Posts: 37
Location: Scotland

Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 9:43 am

 

---

I applied for my visa with SWAP, and when attending my orientation at teh BUNAC office in Edinburgh, I found out they have an agreement with RBS at teh corner of North Bridge and the Royal Mile. They type out a letter for you, and with your passport and a letter of referance from your canadian bank, will get you an account. I havent gone in to open mine yet, will let you know how it goes when it do! So if going Edinburgh, I suggest using BUNAC for help once you get there!
_________________
I liek caek! (guinness caek!) And men in kilts, RAWR!

---

Davidfromcalgary
Junior Member



Joined: 07 Jun 2008
Posts: 12
Location: Calgary, Alberta

Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 10:03 am

 

---

I imagine you would have to cancel your canadian credit cards once you arrive and get one's from Britain correct? Does your credit rating transfer country to country?

---

lynndyhop
CanuckAbroad Regular



Joined: 29 Jan 2008
Posts: 71
Location: BC

Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 10:02 am

 

---

Unfortunately, no - it does not transfer - you start from scratch. For that reason, I'm keeping my card until I qualify for a UK one.
_________________
Lynndyhop.

I'm not an American! I am a Canadian. I come from a "nice", thoroughly unrealistic country.

---

Davidfromcalgary
Junior Member



Joined: 07 Jun 2008
Posts: 12
Location: Calgary, Alberta

Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 6:28 am

 

---

so then you probably keep a canadian bank account open to repay your canadian credit cards online if they are used right? or can you pay your canadian credit cards bills with a british account if they are used until you get a british credit card?

---

lynndyhop
CanuckAbroad Regular



Joined: 29 Jan 2008
Posts: 71
Location: BC

Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 1:12 pm

 

---

I'm keeping my account, but also getting a British account. You will find that there are costs with transfering money to your canadian account, though.
_________________
Lynndyhop.

I'm not an American! I am a Canadian. I come from a "nice", thoroughly unrealistic country.

---

murtle_007
CanuckAbroad Regular



Joined: 03 Oct 2006
Posts: 37
Location: Scotland

Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 1:57 pm

 

---

I finally went to open my account and it was a breeze so far, i just said i have a referance from BUNAC and the teller whipped out the forms, and photocopied my passport details. So forms are filled, go in few days to get my account info
_________________
I liek caek! (guinness caek!) And men in kilts, RAWR!

---

Classroom Canada
New Member



Joined: 07 Feb 2008
Posts: 8
Location: Victoria, BC

Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:37 am

 

---

Credit is very important and something that gets quite confusing when you move to England. I lived in London for three years, cancelled my Canadian credit cards bc I was having problems getting money from my Natwest account into my RBC account, so was always late with payments. This was also affecting my student loan payments.

I finally sorted it all out through a company called tranzfers, where I could pay them 7 pounds to transfer money from my UK acct into my CNDN acct in 6 days or less, which meant that I could pay my OSAP student loans on time. The banks took 30 days, charged 17 pounds AND screwed up every time. So Tranzfers really saved me big time.

Now that I am back in Canada, I have had to really work on my Canadian credit. I recommend keeping your CNDN stuff up to date as well as the UK banking. I'd like to purchase an apartment in a few years and know it;s going to be a struggle.

I don't think I can post links here, but if you google UK Tranzfers you'll find them. I still use them to get paid from the UK and they haven't screwed up once (sadly I can't say the same thing for Natwest).
Cheers
Victoria

---