Look here first -> Banking in the UK

This process can be a nightmare!

Those who have experienced getting a bank account in the UK, please share your words of wisdom in how to do this with the least frustration and work.

(I won't share my experience with UK banking as it might scare someone from coming here!)

What bank in the UK is the easiest? How can you prepare before you move? What ID and documents do you need?

------ UPDATE ------
Lloyds TSB has been following this thread, and now is offering CanuckAbroad.com users a special bank account in the UK! You can set it up before you even leave Canada. Check out the details here:
Setting up a UK Bank Account - Exclusive!
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This can be a bit of a nightmare, but with some preparation before leaving for the UK - it doesn't have to be overly painful.

1. Before you leave get a letter of recommendation from your bank indicating you are in good standing with them and have been a member since x number of years.

1b. Get an equifax statement which lists your credit history. This can be ordered on line and is free.

2. Sign a phone/fax agreement so that when you get to the UK, you can have money wired over here. If you don't do this ahead of time, they can't wire you the money without an original signature (or so I was told).

3. You will need a permanent address to get a bank account in the UK. If you know someone, anyone, use their address. . even if you're not staying there. I don't think they'll let you use a hostel.

4. Bring your Passport/VISA, drivers license (any form of ID you have), confirmation of employment (if you have this) to the bank.

5. Getting a bank account will take a lot longer here than in Canada. After your first appt it may take up to two weeks for it to open. Therefore, bring lots of money when you come. We survived on my MC and bank withdrawls for the first month.

6. If you know you're going to be moving to the UK within a year get an HSBC account in Canada. If you are a customer for a year, they will open up a UK bank account for you - without the hassle.

Hope this is helpful and good luck!

I got an account with HSBC within 5 days of arriving in the UK. However this was helped by the fact that I had a letter (sent to me at my hostel address) confirming a job offer. I also had a letter from CIBC confirming my very long and problem-free account history in Canada, and had a little bit of money to deposit in the account.
Loads of others in the hostel had banking nightmares but everyone who tried the HSBC branch in Russell Square had no problems. This was a few years ago, mind!

I had quite a bit of trouble, but I was finally allowed to do it thanks to using the hostel as my address.

I have just looked on the HSBC website and they seem to have something called "Passport" which is an account you can set up online before you arrive in the UK. My brother is arriving in September and is considering using this.

Has anyone tried it? Any advise or opinions?

Yes, I noticed this when I was doing my banking. They're charging £50 for the "Passport" account which seems rather like they're planning to take advantage of unsuspecting travellers who don't realize that banking is free in the UK.
Don't know how they're going to exclude working holidaymakers from having a "normal" account without being accused of discrimination. But I guess it's an option if you aren't having any success opening an account, I'm sure they would never refuse a paying customer

i arrived in london just last weekend.

on monday, i was able to set up an account at barclay's without hassle. i simply walked into a branch, and presented the following:

1. reference letter from my canadian bank (scotiabank)
2. job offer letter (stating position and salary)
3. canadian passport
4. ontario driver's license

i did have to provide a mailing address because they send the bank card by mail, but i did not have to provide proof of address (i.e. uk utility bill). i had the bank card sent to my hotel, but i think you could get it sent to your office instead.

basically, it was a painless process. i was done in about 10 minutes. i even set up a canadian dollar foreign currency account on the same day as well.

it is a good idea to get mail and fax authorization with your canadian bank before you leave, as another poster has suggested.

WOW Sleepy- I am stunned! It took me almsot three months to get a bank account.

Word to the wise.don't use Lloyds TSB, they seem to be the worst.

I actually don't mind that HSBC is charging for the Passport account. It would have caused me much less stress to have paid £50 instead of stressing over the whole thing for 2 months.

It's seems to be an easy way to have something to catch you when you arrive in the UK. We'll see how it turns out!

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.

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.