The BEST bank account for a US citizen in the UK.

So, what is it? 

It seems I just can't open a bank account like any other person here.  On the HSBC website, I have to get a special "Passport" account, and I have to pay a £60 flat out fee for opening the account (or I pay £6 per month for as long as my account exists, which defeats the purpose of interest).  I've had trouble finding any information from the Lloyds TSB website.

Any advice on finding the best deal?

You're here as a student, right?  When I came over as a student last year I had no problems opening a bank account with Natwest.  All I needed was my passport and a letter from my uni stating my full name, details of my course, my permanent US address and my UK address. I got the letter from my international office, if you tell them you need a bank letter they should know what you mean.

My bank account is a very basic one (solo debit card, no cheques or overdraft) but it does the job and was open for deposits within 3 days. (And it's free!)

Ooo.  I'll go for that, then.  I already have a letter from my university's international office stating my address in the US and my address in the UK.

I'm fine with a basic account (no overdraft, no cheques, whatever!). 

Thanks for your help!

(You've saved me 60 quid! Thanks!)

most banks have student accounts... good article explaining student accounts...

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/Student-bank-account

Ooo.  I'll go for that, then.  I already have a letter from my university's international office stating my address in the US and my address in the UK.

Susan- just a word of warning.  Natwest is *very* picky about the content of the bank letter- the letter needs to be addressed to the exact branch you apply to and it must have your full name as it appears on your passport (I had to get another bank letter because the first one didn't have my middle name on it!)

most banks have student accounts... good article explaining student accounts...

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/Student-bank-account

Those student accounts are only available to those who are permanently resident in the UK (so have ILR or UK citizenship), unfortunately.  International students get a very basic account at most banks- HSBC has a special international student account but you have to pay for it.

thanks for correcting me! 

I wasn't here as a student but I got an account on day1 with HSBC, and a real one at that. I had to have proof of address, proof of identity and I can't remember if I needed ot have income or not really, but we did so... We just have a normal current account, with a mastercard credit card and a maestro debit card.

It was super easy to get an account with Lloyd's. Just needed a UK address and a letter showing my hubby had a job.For you, I assume a letter proving you are a student would work. I suggest you just call or walk into a bank bearing your passport and the other info and see if they can help you. If they can't, head to another one.

most banks have student accounts... good article explaining student accounts...

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/Student-bank-account

Non-UK students can rarely get a student account, unless it is a rubbish "international student" account, which is a waste of time.

So, what is it? 

It seems I just can't open a bank account like any other person here.  On the HSBC website, I have to get a special "Passport" account, and I have to pay a £60 flat out fee for opening the account (or I pay £6 per month for as long as my account exists, which defeats the purpose of interest).  I've had trouble finding any information from the Lloyds TSB website.

Any advice on finding the best deal?

The problem (and solution) are not related to you being a US citizen, but an international student.  Do check with the international student adviser at your college, who will have a sense of who is offering decent deals locally.

Unless you are in the UK for another reason, and just happen to be a student, in which case I am surprised you are having problems.

I went with Barclay's. They had to have me down as having some kind of employment so it wouldn't trip it back to a student account (which I wasn't eligible for because of lack of time in the UK).

It's a very, very basic account, but it serves the purpose. The woman there also said they'd re-look at it in 3 months to see if they could give me an upgrade.

It seems I'd just be able to get a student count from what I see on here.  I'll look into Natwest.  In fact, I'll go to the International office today and see if I can get a letter.

It seems I'd just be able to get a student count from what I see on here.  I'll look into Natwest.  In fact, I'll go to the International office today and see if I can get a letter.

Not sure where you get that idea, because a student account is usually only for an ndergrad who is getting the UK goverment package of student financial support.  One or two banks have an "international student account", but the fees are high and there are better accounts for international students.  But as I said before, the International Student Adviser at your college will be able to advise on what's available locally.

a student account is usually only for an ndergrad who is getting the UK goverment package of student financial support. 

no it's not.
if you have the correct 'table A & table B' documentation that the bank asks for, you can open a student account regardless of whether you are an international or home student.

I went to Natwest yesterday with a letter from the Uni of Nottingham formatted as such.


The Manager
Natwest
133413 Blah blah street
Derby, Derbyshire


This person, Susan, blah blah blah, is a full time student blah blah blah

Term address in the UK
Blah blah blah blah

Address in the US
blah blah blah blah

Sincerely,

University of Nottingham.



So, I get to the bank.  They turn me away saying that my home address should be at the top of the page and not their address, even though all of the information is already in the letter.  So, I try again today.