Archive » United Kingdom » Bank Account...?
| Author | Post |
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| madankumars Member Member # 5174 | Posted January 14, 2004 07:52 AM Can someone please tell me how to open a bank account here in the UK? the UK seems to be one of the most backward countries i have ever seen... If i go to the bank to open an account, they want to see a "utility bill". but when i try to get a "utility bill" they want a bank account for direct debit...! what kind of a country is this? to indians... doesnt it sound familiar? and moreover i am staying with a friend... who has got all "utility" bills in his name. ok... is there any bank which opens accounts for people with bad credit? i guess i have to choose one of these banks before i try to organise a utility bill!! and i thought australia was backward!! |
| madankumars Member Member # 5174 | Posted January 14, 2004 07:55 AM also... To everyone who is planning to come here long time... PLEASE open a UK bank account from your country itself. check out for local banks that have tie ups with UK banks |
| ajayxyz Member Member # 7225 | Posted January 14, 2004 09:13 AM I don't think in india u find a CATCH-22 situation like this. The only thing u need now a days is address proof that's all. Any address proof will do. Madan din't u had any Credit Card with any bank in Aus ? won't it help in opening an account with same bank, if it exists there. For example i have Citibank and HSBC Credit cards, won't it help to some extent if i want to open an account in UK ? |
| Chess Member Member # 7233 | Posted January 14, 2004 09:53 AM Madan, As the saying goes.."Where there is a will there is a way". Be persistant..Try the Halifax Bank...and tell them that you are a new migrant to the UK show them your passport and proof of address. As your credit rating will be Zero or Non-existant...request for an account for which a credit rating will not be undertaken...start with a Card Cash account for which you will get a Solo Card. You will upgrade your account in three months to a Current account..so long as you fund it with about £1,000 every month...the rest will be history!!! Good Luck! -------------------- .........Nkosi sikelele Africa |
| madankumars Member Member # 5174 | Posted January 14, 2004 01:03 PM well "proof of address" is where the problem lies. i don't have a proof of address here as i have moved in with my mate. they need an utility bill as proof of address... |
| Chess Member Member # 7233 | Posted January 14, 2004 01:17 PM Madan, Use your initiative!...ask your friend to change one of the household bills to your names; This could be the It should not take long!..as soon as you change the names of the bill payer..ask for the utility bill !!! You are meant to be highly skilled!!! this does not apply only to work!! Good Luck -------------------- .........Nkosi sikelele Africa |
| Alex Member Member # 54 | Posted January 14, 2004 02:19 PM Or you can take a letter from your employer confirming your address and that you are a new migrant. Of course if you do not have an employer, most banks will tell you that you do not need a bank account - there is no sense in having bank account without any source of income. What about council tax - aren't you supposed to pay it even if you are living with a friend? You could use your council tax bill as a proof of address Again - if you are on tourist visa, British banks will not open you an account. [ January 14, 2004: Message edited by: Alex ] |
| Dip Member Member # 4428 | Posted January 14, 2004 03:27 PM Madankumars, Money Laundering regulations in UK are extremely tight and I would be surprised if they let you open an account without adequate details or an introducer. (Neither India nor Australia are very much behind on this one and even if the are ... they cant afford to be for too long). Have you done what chess has suggested? You must take your HSMP papers along with a letter from your friend saying where you are staying. Also - Your friend must be having an account in this country (I hope so). He should be able to introduce you to his bank and this is the simplest way this can be done. Good Luck Regards [ January 14, 2004: Message edited by: Dip ] |
| FrankGrote Junior Member Member # 7315 | Posted January 14, 2004 09:12 PM I do not know any country in the world which allows for opening an account from abroad for non-residents unless you have at least half a million GBP to invest. |
| Thorsten von Thyssen Member Member # 4397 | Posted January 15, 2004 10:02 AM The easiest way to get a proof of address is to ask your friend to put your name on a BT telephone bill. BT don't ask many questions. -------------------- ----------------------------------- |
| Thorsten von Thyssen Member Member # 4397 | Posted January 15, 2004 10:05 AM Provided you have £5,000 to deposit you can open an offshore gold account with abbey national. This account operates like a UK bank account (you get a visa and able to make payments and drect debits) with some tax advantages. http://www.anoffshore.com/offshore_gold.asp -------------------- ----------------------------------- |
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