[Singel]

I think bureaucracy had gone mad in the banking industry :mad:

OH had brought a few thousands pounds to UK and while job hunting, he managed to open a basic bank account with Lloyds bank. When he got a job offer, he was told that he cannot convert it into a savings account because he got a basic account.

When he approach Barclays bank, he was told that he could open a savings account provided he got an address or a letter from National Insurance office. Oh had just went to the NI office and it will take 4 to 6 weeks for the letter to arrive. So Oh showed them the signed agreement of his rented apartment and was told that it is not considered a legal letter. They need proof of utilities bills.

Now his monies get stuck in the basic account without earning any interest :mad:

Sorry, my rant is over .............. thanks for hearing me out.

[jubjub]

Ivy, sorry Ton is having trouble, but UK banks are notorious for their security, proof of ID, making clients jump through hoops. Thats why I was so stunned how easy it was to get an account here!

Hopefully he will have a utility bill soon for the apartment and he can start getting some interest.

It might be an idea for him to do a bit of research in the 4 weeks before he gets a letter to pick a bank that offers you what you will need for the next year and open accounts with them. We have always found Nationwide to be good if that helps?

[Jo Jo]

It is notoriously difficult for people new to the UK to open bank acounts - I've no idea why they make it so difficult. Your OH may have more luck if they try one of the newer banks, rather than the older banks like Lloyds and Barclays.

Some suggestions are:

Smile (http://www.smile.co.uk)
Egg (http://new.egg.com/visitor/0,,3_11060--View_819,00.html)
First Direct (http://www.firstdirect.com/)

[Piper]

A travelling Kiwi friend with no fixed address opened an account at HSBC last week, if that's any help to you. (She even got a free sim card!)

I think she had been finding it quite difficult too.

[urban78]

When I arrived in the UK I found it really hard to open a bank account as well. I was finally able to get one through Lloyds TSB Offshore. Their branch is located in Pall Mall in London, next to Picadilly Circus.

I know they've sort of changed their whole banking system recently, not sure whether it affects opening a new account but you might want to give it a try? :)

I went to the branch and they just asked me for proof of employment and my ID (I had a French ID card and that did the trick)

www.lloydstsb-offshore.com

I was able to bank through all Lloyds TSB branches as well :)

Hope this helps,

Jen

[mgbridges]

Just my VHO but we can't recommend First Direct highly enough (they are part of the HSBC group). Purely an on-line bank so no branches as such but they've been fab the whole time my OH and then us as joint account holders have banked with them. Nothing is a problem, very proactive, open all hours, coped with us being overseas without a single hitch.

Far cry from all the hassle I had with Barclays when I went overseas to live for a bit but thats another (loooonnnggg) story which I won't bore you with.

Have a look at their website www.firstdirect.com

Anneliese