OK
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I went to HSBC in Pasadena yesterday, and I now have a US account. I worked with a gentleman named Norman, who was WONDERFUL! This has been the best banking experience to date.
I also filled out all of the paperwork to open my UK account, which should take about 4 weeks to process, so YES it is true that you can do this from the states. I asked Norman how you would do this if you lived somewhere where an HSBC branch was not available, and he said that opening a US account online/phone/mail was very easy, but that the UK bit would be harder. I asked him if it was possible and he said it might be, but that he was not sure how because the UK group wants evidence that the US HSBC knows and has a banking relationship with you. He said for those of you wanting to do this, that the sooner you have a US HSBC account, the better. He also said they are expanding in the US so hopefully there will be more US branches soon.
I opened a US checking account and credit card with them, and he is starting the UK paperwork for me on Monday. It is helpful, but not necessary to have a UK address, know who your employer will be, know what your salary (direct deposit) will be, and what branch in the UK you would like to deal with. I ended up leaving lots of fields blank, but he said not to worry about it at the moment. If you are going into a branch, take your passport as they will need a copy of it. I have a form that I need to ask my HR department to fill in, and I may need to have my main bank write a letter for me stating that I am a customer in good standing. The forms I filled out were not that bad, and I think I spent about an hour total going over everything. It's a lot of paperwork, but considering the benefits, very worth it.
This is the first UK account Norman has set up, and he will be getting in touch with me on Monday after he finds out how the initial deposit to the UK account will be processed. It may need to be a wire transfer. I can update this information as we go along if folk are interested.
With regards to the sharing of credit information between the 2 countries, they have what is known as "Premier" customers. Premier customers have a combined minimum balance of $100,000.00 in their accounts, and this entitles you to have not only an assigned US account liaison, but a UK one as well. Your paperwork is processed faster, you are given special assistance when you arrive in the UK, you are eligible for better mortgage rates, (and other stuff), AND they will transfer your credit information from the states. Once you indicate your desire to to be a Premier customer, you have 6 months to bring your balance up to 100K. In the meantime, they will change you $50/month to remain a Premier. If you have good credit in the US, and want the extra benefits, it MAY be worth the $50/month to *intend* to be a Premier customer for a few months till you are set up. Whist this information was not stated to me directly by Norman, that is my interpretation of what I think he was trying to convey to me. They do not share credit information with the UK for non-premier customers.
Norman really bent over backwards to assist me and if anyone wants his contact info, please PM me.
I hope that all made sense, and it's helpful!
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