Which banks allow one to open a UK account PRIOR to moving to the UK?

I will be moving to the UK in Feb 2013 and I would like to setup a bank account in advance. Mainly because my home country's bank account requires me to be present when I perform a wire transfer to a new account. So basically I need a bank account open prior to moving so I can setup the first wire transfer and then will be able to do this in the future when I am in London.

Anyone have any recommendations on banks that have online banking or the ability to create a bank account prior to being physically in the UK?

A lot of UK bank accounts require you to show your passport, visa and proof of UK address when you open a bank account, and some people here have had problems opening one at all when they've first arrived in the UK.

However, I think there may be some 'passport' accounts that can be opened before moving, although they generally charge monthly fees (whereas you have the option to open a free account once in the UK).

You could try HSBC for a passport account, which costs £8 per month and requires a minimum 6-month 'contract' with them: http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/current-accounts/uk-bank-account

Also, I think Barclays offer a similar international bank account as well, but you need to have at least £5,000 to deposit into the account and you need proof of address for the last 3 years, and evidence of your employment and income: http://www.res-non-dom.barclays.com/open-uk-bank-account/

I don't think it's possible to set one up until you live here and can prove residence.  It's a bit difficult for some when they even live here.  Most of us start out with basic accounts to begin with that sometimes don't have checking or debit cards and have to show our reliability for a number of months since we have no credit history at all in the UK before the accounts are broadened.  I think the UK is fairly strict though about not allowing it so people aren't just setting up off-shore type accounts.

You may want to look into other ways of doing the transfer.  There are lots of threads on here about the best way to transfer bank account funds, some have used things like XE Trade, others setting up Paypal US and UK accounts and transferring through there--although there are some risks with Paypal sometimes freezing suspect transfers for some time while they investigate them.  I can't remember other options off-hand, but if your bank won't work with you, your best option may just be to set up a new US bank account that is more friendly to overseas transactions.

Cross posted with Ksand24: I hadn't thought of the passport accounts as most I know opened them after coming here as well--just because they struggled to open accounts with no credit.  If that works, it may be an option, but they don't give you a lot for the money they take, which is annoying.

Thanks Ksand! Always coming with valuable advice. You had posted on a couple other threads I started. The HSBC one looks good. I will just think of it as a 48 pound (8*6) account. Seems worth it to have it all setup and not have to deal with banking things once I get there. I would like to be ready to roll once I get there as I will want to move into a new apartment within the first month and will want to have funds to pay the deposit, etc.

How common is HSBC in London? Are there branches and machines pretty much everywhere? Top banks that came up in my search were Llyods and Barclays, so I don't know where HSBC ranks in there.

Thanks!

How common is HSBC in London? Are there branches and machines pretty much everywhere? Top banks that came up in my search were Llyods and Barclays, so I don't know where HSBC ranks in there.

Thanks!

There are plenty of HSBC branches in London and there is no charge to use any bank cash machines.

How common is HSBC in London? Are there branches and machines pretty much everywhere? Top banks that came up in my search were Llyods and Barclays, so I don't know where HSBC ranks in there.

HSBC is a British company with its headquarters located in London, so there are branches everywhere - there are 130 branches in London alone and 1,400 in the whole of the UK (in comparison, there are only 272 branches in the entire US, 175 of which are in New York State)!

One plus to banking here in the UK is that the ATMs from banks are all free to use--even if you don't belong to that bank.  There are a few changing this for holders of basic accounts though, but if you have a bit of income, it isn't hard to get into a regular bank account.  The only machines you have to pay to use are the odd privately owned ones that you'll find in places like service stations.  It really isn't hard to find somewhere to withdraw money for free here though.

nice! Thanks for that info!

How common is HSBC in London? Are there branches and machines pretty much everywhere? Top banks that came up in my search were Llyods and Barclays, so I don't know where HSBC ranks in there.

HSBC is common, but not always the easiest to deal with in my opinion.  I have a Lloyds account and an HSBC (joint) account.  I pretty much hate doing anything through HSBC because they make even setting up a direct debit seemingly impossible.  I've always used Barclays cashpoints to take money out of my US account, and Natwest is also good (that's what my OH has, and never has any complaints).

I've only got a basic account.  It allows BAC transfers so I've never needed to use my cash card (all the money gets transferred into husband's account).

(all the money gets transferred into husband's account).

I think (based on previous posts) the OP is coming on Tier 2/for work, so doesn't have a parnter's account to transfer funds into.

Hiya, had to check and make sure I was allowed to post these details as some time has passed. I was given the ok so here goes: a few months ago I was involved in a market research event and our group was shown a pilot web page for a bank specifically targeting Americans and their enquiries about banking/other matters before moving to the UK.

At the end, we were old it would be Barclays and the service would launch in the new year. You will be able to open a current (debit) account with a minimum £1 deposit by uploading your passport details (which was my only concern, for safety reasons, but I'm sure they've got that figured out).

Hope this helps and brings forth some optimism!