banks in US/UK?

I know I can find HSBC on both sides of the ocean - what other banks are located in both US and UK?

We aren't very happy with Chase, anyway, so we thought we'd open an account here if it would help at all opening an account in Wales.

Thanks!
(this would be helpful as a sticky, BTW!)

Yes, sounds like a helpful topic.  I would like to know as well.  All I know is Citizen's is owned by RBS but don't know if they let you transfer accounts.

We have accounts with B of A here and supposedly you can use Barclay's ATMs (we have accounts with them too).  But what I'm wondering is if that's only for withdrawal of cash or can you manipulate cash from one B of A account to another via Barclay's?  (In the US I can move money from my checking account to my son's, for example)  Anybody had experience with this?

Most banks have subsidies or partner banks on both sides of the pond, however they still operate as separate entities (including HSBC).  Hence why you'd have to reopen a separate account when you entered the UK...

I don't know the particulars as to *why* but I'd assume its probably down to financial laws and whatnot.   

I have a chevy chase checking/savings account. Does anyone know if they have a branch in Wales? I read somewhere else that I'd have a better credit rating if I used the same bank - even though as Teletabby stated - it may be under a different name.  Thanks

We are in the middle of figure this issue out as well.  I spent part of my day with the international bank manager at the Chicagoland HSBC this week.  She explained that both the US and UK banks are owned by the same parent company but are incorporated and operate and keep funds separate in order to comply with both countries laws.      They (HSBC) has a special account that would allow you to transfer between a US and UK accounts with out a fee called a premier account - but you have to keep 100K USD balance which for us was not even remotely practical.  It might work for you.

We are in the middle of figure this issue out as well.  I spent part of my day with the international bank manager at the Chicagoland HSBC this week.  She explained that both the US and UK banks are owned by the same parent company but are incorporated and operate and keep funds separate in order to comply with both countries laws.      They (HSBC) has a special account that would allow you to transfer between a US and UK accounts with out a fee called a premier account - but you have to keep 100K USD balance which for us was not even remotely practical.  It might work for you.

If you're looking for a way to transfer funds between the US & UK (and vice versa) you may want to look into XEtrade.com.  A lot of people have said that it gives favourable rates, I've never used it, but you can find a threat all about it here in the Money Matters section.