UK Banking......HELP PLEASE!

[Scootter]

Hi all,

I keep reading of the horrors in setting up an account here and I have to admit, i went into the first bank I came across in Cambridge on day 2 after landing and opened an account.

That was whilst staying in a rented holiday cottage.

I don't know if it's different outside of London, but the RBS in Cambridge was more than happy to open an account when I could show my job offer and employment contract.

Although perhaps some here arrived looking for work as opposed to having a job in hand.

Or maybe I was just very very lucky.

[xtina.r]

hi what worked for me was that I had also taken every conceivable documentation I can imagine showing proof of being credit worthy. Thus I had my mortgage papers, my last 3 income slips and bank statements from canada. Basically the kind of stuff you need to get a credit card even if you don't want a credit card.

Secondly though, I went to HSBC as well thinking that one big worldwide company makes it easier for opening account or handling money transfers etc etc.after all HSBC = HSBC right? Actually.it doesn't. it makes no difference, and is no cheaper to move money from HSBC UK to HSBC Canada or from small credit union UK to HSBC Canada. So you may be in luck with a smaller bank such as Abbey

good luck though, seriously, opening bank accout WILL be the first hairpulling bureaucratic task you will encounter but there are oh so many more. :)

[travoholic]

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.

[Scootter]

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