BANKING

Does anyone know of a solid/stable/well known bank that is both in the UK and in the US? We're moving in a few months and we want and need to open up an account right away but we can't open up one in the UK until we're there (mainly I think because they require original signatures).

He has a job offer with a signing bonus that we need to deposit from the UK company but don't want it deposited into a normal US account unless its deposited in British pounds (because of the loss in money during the conversion). We're hoping to find a bank that we can go to and open an acct here, deposit the funds via pounds and then be able to access from the UK and make adjustments once we're there.

Makes sense? Any suggestions? We're located in Durham, NC (home of the Duke Bluedevils)!

Thanks

Personally, I would go with a building society rather than a bank int he current climate.

However, if you are adamant that you want a bank, Northern Rock is probably the safest as it has been nationlaised.


Vicky

I do not think northern rock is located in the us. I do not think you can find a bank that is truly in both the US and UK. Banks like HSBC and ING Direct, are in both countries, but you need different accounts in both countries. That said, there were some posts n UKY about a month ago disucussing HSBC and there international banking office. For $200 they will open an account for you in the UK.

Sorry, I didn't realise you needed to open the account in the US first.

Vicky

What about Citibank?

Maybe I'm being thick here... do you need access to the funds immediately/before you move? Is the company saying that they need to deposit the funds immediately? Could you ask them to wait, and the day you arrive here open a basic bank account and deposit it then? Or could you ask them to give you a cheque instead given the exceptional circumstances and then deposit it when you arrive?

Hey, I am the guilty party (aka the fiancee). The company is willing to pay us the money now so I'd prefer to get it now and earn interest or put it to work while we are still in the US. We probably don't need it here but it would be nonsense to not take it now.

Ideally, I'd have set up a bank account last time I was in London (I am Irish so it's not like I ever lived there) but alas. Now we have to deal with the x-rates and you all know how well the pound is doing these days.

The company is willing to pay us the money now so I'd prefer to get it now and earn interest or put it to work while we are still in the US.

I take your point, but not being funny... with interests rates where they are it's not gonna do you all that much good.... 

We are planning to open an HBSC bank account from the US before me move this summer.  It costs $200 to do so, but for us that is worth it because we won't have a proof of address until we move there but will need to have a bank account to rent a house, etc.

Citizen's is connected to RBS -- but I hear that's possibly going to go down the tubes.

RBS has just had a major government bail-out, so it is more secure than ever.

Vicky