Banks....

What bank would you suggest? Will I need anything from my current bank?

I've had dealings with most of the major British banks in the past, but I've been with Lloyds-TSB for several years now and have no complaints.    (It used to be two banks - They merged a few years ago, just like National and Westminster did to become NatWest.)

I think opening any new account these days is rather a chore.    Even if you tell them you don't want credit, or a guarantee card, or anything like that, they still run through all the questions about income and so on as if you were applying for credit. 

I had trouble with Lloyds when I first came over here. They kept telling me I couldn't have a cheque book or debit card because I hadn't lived her long enough, etc., etc., etc. Just basically giving me the run-around. They told me I'd have to wait three months, which I did, but then there was another excuse. So I switched to HSBC and was given a debit card that same day.

Bring bank statements.  If you have a lease, bring that information.  If you have a job, bring the contract.  Anything to show you are worth their time!

We have HSBC accounts, and have been really happy with them. I had major, major problems with Abbey National when I was first trying to set up an account. HSBC have been stars so far, and my husband has been with them for more than 20 years.

HSBC period!!

bvamin

LLoyds was good as i opened a joint account first with DH and opened my personal account TODAY!

PS: you can have a current account with them if you are here under XX months, they refer you to their worldwide service which runs credit checks from home if you make over 13K a year.

I was fortunate that we filled out all the stuff, and since i earn over 13K and had been on the joint account for 6 months, i got my own today!  yippeee!

I bank at NatWest, but I wouldn't reccomend them!!! I opened my account with them the last week of December, and it took them two months to get my address changed and the details on my debit card right. (I'm only in the UK for six months right now) I ended up getting FIVE debit cards from them before they sent me one with my name spelled correctly and in the right order. (they kept putting my middle name 1st, then they put my last name first   then they went back to the middle name before my first name....)

Whatever you do, don't bank with Lloyds! All goes well as long as you don't have any probs, the moment this happens you're screwed. After getting treated like a complete idiot for 5 months (after being their customer for 7 years), I've sent them some juicy complaint letters. They came back to me apologizing but they keep screwing up, the next thing I'll do is take my complaint to the Financial Services Ombudsman ...

If you wanna know what's going on with Lloyds, just try googling for "I hate Lloyds" (not kidding!) ...

We have HSBC accounts, and have been really happy with them. I had major, major problems with Abbey National when I was first trying to set up an account. HSBC have been stars so far, and my husband has been with them for more than 20 years.

Jamie had major problems when he was getting a loan from Abbey. They told us two different things, which angered me. One said they couldn't fax anything, then someone said they can, and finally someone said they could photocopy and fax his passport. It took way longer than they said it would.

We use Llyods TSB. We had a few minor problems with them regarding phone banking and other little things that were more of a hassle for us to sort out by making constant phone calls to their offices but Frank has been with them for nearly 20 years and wants to stay with them.

It seems that people can get unluckly with any of the banks, and when they mess-up these days, they do seem to do it in a spectacular way which takes ages to put right.

Part of the problem is that in many areas it's now impossible to call you local branch directly.  Everything goes to a call center (Ugh!) in some other area.    I would argue for the old favorite trick of threatening to close your account and go elsewhere, but as opening an account is a task in itself these days, that's probably going to cause you more trouble that it is them (especially for those not already established in the U.K.).

It wasn't always this difficult.  My first account was opened without a fraction of the checks and fuss you get nowadays.    Not that that's much consolation, I know. 

Part of the problem is that in many areas it's now impossible to call you local branch directly.  Everything goes to a call center (Ugh!) in some other area.   

Or even in another country. You're right, Paul, it's hard when dealing with call centres. If you can possibly wait to open an account until you're here, I'd suggest going to your local branch in person and sitting down with a rep there. That way at least you're establishing a relationship with a human being. And, if you're lucky, he/she might even give you his/her card so you can call directly instead of having to deal with the call centre!

There's another thread on a similar subject here.  Lots of good advice there too!