After three weeks of trying to get a bank account, I finally have one!
But here's the story.
Week #1
DH goes to the Co-Op bank with his letter of employment from the Uni, a copy of our rental agreement and subscription confirmation from the electricity provider and his passport. Bank says everything is ok, and all that's needed for our joint account is for me to show up with my passport. I arrive a few days later, and we go to the bank. But now our rental agreement is no good because it's partially hand-written (it's one of those fill-in-the-blanks forms), and the electricity provider confirmation is not good because it has to be a utility bill.
No problem, we call the electricity company and they say they'll send us a bill in three days.
We wait five days, and no electricity bill.
Week #2
We call the electricity provider, and they say they have no record of our request. They can send a bill, but as we have no access to our metre, it will take at least 10 days.
I contact my employer, as HSBC says they take letters of employment as proof of address.
Week #3
I get my letter, and go to HSBC. Now the letter is no good, because it only had my address on top, and said it confirms I work for my company, receive x amount of salary and reside at my address. Of course it would've been helpful if they had pointed out they required an exact wording.
I get my company to send a letter addressed to HSBC manager which says "I confirm x lives at address y".
I go to HSBC, and now they'll only give me an account if I pay £50. (The Passport account).
DH now has proof of address (he never closed his student account, and it's still open!). We go to the Co-Op bank, and would now have enough documentation, except his bank transcript says APARTMENT instead of FLAT, so that is not acceptable for our joint account. We then decide to leave me off, so that he can apply for the account with APARTMENT instead of FLAT in the address. All of my proof of address say flat, of course.
After a few other banks requiring utility bills, I arrive at Abbey.
They are nice, and accepted my documentation without a problem.
I have a basic account opened immediately (cash card, direct debits, standing orders, internet banking) which I can upgrade after three months.
