finding a good bank in england

[lennymac]

Hi im an aussie looking for a good bank so that i can open an account (if possible from australia) so when i get there i wont have any trouble with my money.

thanks lenny.

[ElsieD]

Lenny, I'd be interested in the answer, too, as my partner had problems opening an account because banks seem to want you to have lived here 3 years before they let you open one. I'd recommend Cahoot as an internet bank, but they'll probably want you to be resident. Perhaps you should find a Australian bank with branches here?

[ravi_mi]

Hi There ,

Try getting in touch with barclays as they provide the bank account facility to the NON UK residents . Also you can iopen an bank acoount with LLoyds TSB as they have teh offshore accounting facility for teh outsiders .

 

Regards,

Ravi

[ursula62]

Lenny

Do you have any mates already over here? If so, why not give them a call and ask how they coped? I'm sure they would help you out.

[fairy!]

When I went to Australia I had to wait until I was there to open a bank account... I just walked in with my passport & within about half an hour I was up & running!

The only bank I noticed in Oz that we have in the UK is HSBC... maybe they can help?

[amarillis]

I am an Aussie, and I opened an HSBC savings account from Australia before I left. You have to do it at least 6 weeks prior to you accessing the account in the UK, and you have to pick up the eftpos and credit cards once you get to the UK. You can't access the money you have deposited to open the account until you get to the UK. I haven't had any problems with them at all since I've been here in the UK.

[fotus]

try www.lloydstsb.com and go to their wws (world wide services) link, thats what i use. Its a nightmare though to open any normal accts. theres a 3 year resident rule which irritates me.