Look here first -> Banking in the UK

[heymikey]

Is Lloyds TSB cheaper and better than HSBC and Barclays?

[iancanton]

for over-the-counter banking, hsbc and barclays are good only in england and wales. they have a very limited branch network in scotland (hsbc has 5 branches and barclays over 10). another bank that's worth considering is halifax bank of scotland (hbos), which has branches throughout the uk and assured me that it was willing to consider opening a current (chequing) account for those who had a savings account with another uk bank opened at least 6 months ago.

it's normal for uk current accounts to have no monthly fee if the account is not overdrawn, so £7.50 per month is much higher than average. however, this might be worth it for the convenience, at least till u're eligible for a normal current account. ask around, since banks' policies do differ from each other.

ian.

[smiley]

I've been to Nat West and Barclays 7 times to try to open a bank account - both kept telling me there were problems with my proof of address (the address was written wrong... a letter was insufficient, I had to have an actual bill... has to have my full name on it as opposed to my first initial and last name... bills printed from my online account weren't allowed... had to be less than 3 months old...), and both kept telling me their hands were tied because it was the law that I had to provide this as well as my ID before they could do anything for me.

FUNNY, because I went into Lloyds TSB today and opened an account with just my passport and visa - no proof of address required.

Nat West and Barclays can SUCK IT!

Canadians - Bank with Lloyds TSB!!!!

[Classroom Canada]

Hi all,
I wrote a blog post explaining how to transfer $ between your British bank & your Canadian one - http://canadiansintheuk.wordpress.com/2 ... ice-versa/

It's a new blog to help Canadians & Americans understand all they need to move to the UK, so I hope it helps you too.

Please let me know your thoughts & any feedback.
Thanks & happy travels,
Victoria

[iancanton]

the rates shown using this method look very competitive for smaller amounts, such as $1,000.

there is a reasonable alternative though, using someone's existing bank accounts. some banks in the uk, such as abbey, convert foreign currency received by them at interbank rates to sterling, without taking any loading for themselves. if ur canadian bank happens to charge only a fixed dollar fee (not percentage) for canadian dollar telegraphic transfers to a foreign bank account, then this can result in more money reaching ur uk account compared with any other method, especially for larger amounts. the funds ought to reach ur uk bank account within a week. from a canadian bank account, this works only if u specifically instruct the transfer to the uk to take place in canadian dollars. it will normally be more costly if u ask ur canadian bank to convert to sterling before sending.

ian.