UK Banking......HELP PLEASE!

[gali]

Hello all,

This is my first post although I'll admit I've been lurking for a while.

I need urgent help regarding banking in the UK. I leave for the UK in 5 days and have been trying to open an account through HSBC Canada for the past month but it seems that they have yet to even send my documents to the UK and refuse to talk to me about the progress. So I may have to think of another plan.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I could open an account, or is there an alternative? I start work on July 1 and would like to have somewhere to keep my money other than under my pillow.

Thanks,

Gali

[CareBear]

Your biggest obstacle is to get proof of address. Such as UK bill. BT, council tax, water, cable. Or from a bank. What worked for me was opening an HSBC account in Canada, getting the statements sent to my UK address. Then applying for an account at an UK HSBC.

My roomie is now going through this and unless you can get something with your address on it and from a source the bank recognizes it is a uphill struggle!

Best of luck

[gali]

Thanks for the quick reply.you ARE a carebear

I changed my address at RBC so I should start getting statements in the UK next month. I'm still hoping that HSBC pulls through but I guess it will just take longer than I thought

[oohmercyme]

Gali- welcome to the board.

You probably don't want to hear this, but it took me almost 3 months to get my bank account. Like Carebear said, getting proof address was the hardest part. All my utilities and council tax were included in the rent. Besides not being able to get an account, I couldn't find anyone to cash my paycheques, and had three months worth in my pocket!

Hope you have better luck!

[CareBear]

Another tip for you is to get 3 months of back statements from RBC mailed to your UK address as well. Costs a bit extra but will help. Some banks ask for 3 months of bank statements from your home bank.

But I think if you show an RBC statement with your UK address it should be ok.

My rommie is having a problem because after 3 months of living in the UK the UK banks wont accept bank statements from home. So best to get on this asap.

It is a hard one and frustrating, but I can tell you Smile the internet bank has been the best over here. One thing is that you have to have a UK bank before you can open an account with them. I opened a Basic account at HSBC and then opened a current account with Smile, they gave me £500 over draft, credit card and loan. www.smile.co.uk

Take care!

[gali]

Thanks for all the advice guys,

I think I just found a solution though.my employer has said that they will help me open an account with their bank.yey!

Now all I have to worry about is packing.

[Blue and White Army]

One of the quickest ways to get a UK-based bill to your new UK address is to set up a telephone landline account with BT as soon as you enter the country.

They can set up your line pretty quick, and you can start an account with them without any hassle. Then you can use your BT bill for starting up other accounts (i.e. banking, etc.)

Best of luck!

[Blue and White Army]

One of the quickest ways to get a UK-based bill to your new UK address is to set up a telephone landline account with BT as soon as you enter the country.

They can set up your line pretty quick, and you can start an account with them without any hassle. Then you can use your BT bill for starting up other accounts (i.e. banking, etc.)

Best of luck!