Barclays Account Opening

Just wanted to pass on my experience on Monday with opening an account through Barclays.  I went in with a copy of my lease but was told they don't accept that as documentation.  I braced myself to hear that there was no way I could open an account, but ended up being very surprised when I was told I could open an account with just my passport and my US driver's license!  It was incredibly simple--I was told the catch is that the US address on the license needs to be your last US address and within 3 months of living there.  I was also told that they prefer a US utility bill or bank statement to a US license, but it wasn't a problem that I didn't have these statements on me (though I suppose this could depend on which location you go into, etc).  After they took all my information and ran a credit check, I was told that I qualified for all but their most exclusive accounts, though I would not be able to get overdraft protection on any account just yet.

The banker who opened my account advised me to come back within about 4 or 5 months to see about applying for a credit card and overdraft protection.   

They ran your US credit?

They ran your US credit?

sorry, i didn't make that clear.  they didn't run a US credit check but ran the info they had on me through their system to see what I qualified for. 

Were you able to sign up for a debit card right away? 

becca: yep, i think the debit card and the checkbook actually arrived in the mail today!  i'm back in the states so i'm just waiting on my fiance to open the mail and let me know what arrived. 

i also just had my bank transfer the majority of my money over to that account...hoping that was the right decision as far as the exchange rate goes.  i suspect the dollar will only get weaker as the summer goes on, but who knows. 

becca: yep, i think the debit card and the checkbook actually arrived in the mail today!  i'm back in the states so i'm just waiting on my fiance to open the mail and let me know what arrived. 

Nice!  Tim uses Barclay's too, though we haven't decided yet if we want separate accounts, a joint account, or one of each.

Nice!  Tim uses Barclay's too, though we haven't decided yet if we want separate accounts, a joint account, or one of each.

david uses HSBC but i ended up going with barclay's mostly because i had an easier time finding their location!  i also like that they allow you to withdraw for free from bank of america when you're in the US.  we haven't quite figured out what we're doing yet with our accounts either, but i figured a separate account is easiest for now since i wanted to get my money transferred as soon as possible and he had to work when i went in to sign up.  when i move over in august, we'll definitely open up a joint savings account and i guess we'll need to decide what to do about the checking accounts at some point.  i really had a great experience with barclay's though--they were very helpful and gave me great advice on how to build up credit.  they also had a huge promotion going on and gave out free cupcakes and coffee while i waited 

Tim likes them, too. He had a huge issue last Summer with his bank card getting compromised and they called him and pointed it out and fixed things for him right away.

Tim likes them, too. He had a huge issue last Summer with his bank card getting compromised and they called him and pointed it out and fixed things for him right away.

ohh, good to know!  i liked their savings options, as well.  very excited to not have to use my american cards the next time i'm over there.  i bought a tv for the new flat last week and was charged a $25 fee!! 

ohh, good to know!  i liked their savings options, as well.  very excited to not have to use my american cards the next time i'm over there.  i bought a tv for the new flat last week and was charged a $25 fee!! 

OUCH! 

I also opened up a Barclay's account just last week after being turned down at HSBC and a few others for no proof of address. Barclay's was fantastic. All they needed was my passport with my visa and my driver's license. I was able to get a checking and savings account and $250 overdraft as well. When I asked why they were able to help my out while other banks declined me, they said it was because I had a premier Bank of America account in the States and I had only just moved and been in the UK less than 3 months. If I had been there any longer, I would have needed proof of address. This branch was located right in Picadilly Circus. They were extremely helpful and super friendly. No headache at all.

lilbelle-

Did you apply for the Barclays Current Account Plus or Barclays Banking Account?

Did you have to provide proof of employment on the application? I looked at the application online and it wanted employment details for the Current Account Plus.

I was considering putting through the application online as I currently have employment in the States.  I am putting in my notice next week and moving on July 12. 

Although you are in the states until August, did you say you were a current UK resident? 

I am moving in with my boyfriend, so I already have my address set.  He has also successfully added me to his electric bill. 

I'm just not sure if I should wait and apply there once I've "officially" moved using the electric bill with both our names and my passport or try to apply online with current employment but UK address and see what happens.

I've been so nervous about getting a 'checking account' with an actual Visa debit card and not just an ATM/cash only card.  I'd love to have this checked off the list if its possible.

Thanks for sharing your success story.  I will certainly be heading to Barclays!

coco-- they offered me the plus account but i went with the barclays banking account since it was free and all that i really needed for the moment.  i did tell them that i was a current resident since i'm officially on a lease now with my fiance but explained the situation when asked further.  i also explained that i was currently employed in the states for the next two months and the banking agent helping me seemed pleased to be able to write that down on my application.  he asked me to estimate my earnings for the year so i told him what my earnings were in the last tax year.  he didn't need any proof of employment other than the address for where i worked. 

your situation seems a lot like mine so i would imagine you'd have no problem but i don't know how it works to do it online.  the agent wrote everything down for me and then entered it into the system, so i'm not sure if he was able to frame things a certain way to help it go through, or if it really was just that straightforward.     

This is so interesting--I just had a very similar experience opening an account at Barclay's today, and I was going to post on here about it!  Lilybelle, you beat me too it    I actually brought over a couple of utilities bills from the states, so didn't use my license, but they were great about the whole thing.  The poor woman spent over an hour with me working through all the details.  I got a Current Account Plus and two savings accounts.