UK Banking......HELP PLEASE!

I worked up in Glasgow when I first arrived in the UK and opened an account up there with no worries at all. As proof of address I used a hand-written envelope that my mum had sent me with a letter in it!

A year later I was in London and had to open another account to look after house stuff and had a huge problem and took ages. Each time we agreed on what I would need to bring in it seemed that when I cane back with the documents I would be dealing with another person who wanted different things. Considering I had to take time off work to be able to meet with them, it was pretty frustrating. Eventually got it all sorted. I have a sneaking suspicion that things are harder in London because there are more travellers around where in Glasgow they don't see many.

One thing I've heard of people doing is paying money (£25 I think) to a company called 1st Contact who deal with getting travellers set up in the UK and offer a service to get bank accounts. I don't know what exactly they do and it seems unfair to charge for something like this, but if you need an account straight away they will be a life saver.

I think you are right. more of a London phenomenon.

Why not hop a train to Cambs or P'boro and open an account at a RBS, HSBC or Barclay's?

I mean, with telephone, internet banking and debit cards, does anyone really need to go to a branch?

Then in 6 months a year, simply tell your bank you are moving to a new address in London, and poof problem solved.

Also, if anyone is a non-resident and struggling to get a mortgage, try the Halifax, they are one of very few lenders who will deal with non-residents.

Most other banks will say thanks but no thanks.

Scootter