Look here first -> Banking in the UK

[beard's bird]

I can't believe that Barclays allowed that account to be set up with no proof of address.sounds to me like it was someone who KNEW what they were doing, perhaps the bank manager or something, whereas at other branches they are just people who are afraid to go out of the box!

I set up a Passport account at HSBC the other day, it can be 50pound initially or you can pay it 5 pound a month over a year (which comes to 60 pound). I dont' mind at all because every bank in Canada has monthly fees or service charges so I was expecting it anyway -- and, it is quite a good account with loads of options, and no monthly minimum on balance or anything. Very hassle free to set up.

[smack]

You'll have to check their other locations (i'm in London), I signed up w/ www.1stcontact.co.uk, it's £35 and all you do is bring your passport and 3 months of bank statements from home and they can open you up a Barclays or HSBC account without anything else. It was very straightforward. The £35 includes a introduction session that goes over everything from health care options, getting your NI number, finding a job, finding a flat, setting up your own limited company (for contract work).I recommend this to anyone.

[londonkev]

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!

[00Viggen]

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.

[mel_82]

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.

[francois51]

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.

[pablo]

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 .

[aridland]

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