Ways to simplify bank account opening

When I move over in a few weeks, it looks like I'm going to be one of those people who will be caught in the bank account/flat catch 22.  In order to try to avoid this, I was wondering what I could possible do now (other than paying that $200 HSBC fee) to simplify opening a bank account when I get here.  If I were to change the address for some of my US bank accounts and credit cards to a friend in the UK's address, would this satisfy their proof of address requirement?  When I arrive, I'd open the account using his address and change it once I rent my own flat.  I was wondering if this would work since I wouldn't have any other proof of living at that address. 

Also, does anyone have any experience with how strict RBS or Bank of Scotland are?  I've read on here that Lloyds TSB is pretty easy.  I assume Lloyds TSB Scotland is the same.  I know about the HSBC passport account and don't think the £8 a good value.  I rather not pay any monthly fee, but if I had to, it looks like the Lloyds silver's £7.95 is a better value. 

barclay's let me open an account with just my passport and my massachusetts driver's license.  i didn't need proof of address (though i did have a UK address to give them).  several others have had a similar experience, so i'd suggest trying there when you arrive. 

I'm going to try Barclay's and hope for an easy experience like lily's, but incase they do want proof of address (and b/c T-mobile wants a proof of address to cancel my contract), whats the easiest thing to get put in your name?  I'm thinking something like changing the skyTV bill to my name might be easiest/quickest way to get some a bill sent to me at our address? Any other ideas?

whats the easiest thing to get put in your name?  I'm thinking something like changing the skyTV bill to my name might be easiest/quickest way to get some a bill sent to me at our address? Any other ideas?

my fiance was able to add my name to all of our bills really easily (he just called and gave them my name)--i think i'm now on council tax, cable, electric, and water... there was some sort of confirmation mailed for the council tax before the bill was actually due, so that may have been the fastest to arrive, but my fiance says everything has been arriving addressed to both of us in the past month since he's done this. 

Since this is my thread, I want to make it clear that I'm moving by myself on Tier 2 and can't have my name added to someone's bills.  I also won't have a real UK permanent address until I get my own flat.  My question was if statements from American banks (that they probably have never heard of) mailed to a British address are acceptable to open account with most banks.  

Thanks in advance

I also won't have a real UK permanent address until I get my own flat.  My question was if statements from American banks (that they probably have never heard of) mailed to a British address are acceptable to open account with most banks. 

like i said before, Barclay's only required a passport and an American driver's license. they didn't need any proof of address at all.  in fact, i initially was going to take a copy of my lease as proof of address, but was told this wasn't acceptable--this was when the bank suggested i use my driver's license, instead. 

Since this is my thread, I want to make it clear that I'm moving by myself on Tier 2 and can't have my name added to someone's bills.  I also won't have a real UK permanent address until I get my own flat.  My question was if statements from American banks (that they probably have never heard of) mailed to a British address are acceptable to open account with most banks.  

Thanks in advance

Frank, my experience is now 4 years old, but this is what I did.  I changed the address on my one and only credit card (I forget the name of the bank it was with, don't know if they would've heard of it here or not, but they didn't care) to my BF's address before I moved. It just worked out that my new statement was waiting for me the day I arrived in the UK! The address was, of course, going to be my permanent address, not a temporary one, but they didn't care about that either. 

My account is with Lloyd's TSB in England - they wanted to see my passport and proof of address in the UK.  They were happy with my credit card statement.  They opened a basic account for me that attracted no monthly charge, but came with a cheque-book and a debit card. 

I hope that helps.  I'm sure if I'd gone back into the bank two or three weeks later to tell them I'd changed my address, they'd have had no problem with it...

Personally, I strongly disapprove of the idea of getting mail sent to an address where you don't intend to live, then using that address in an official capacity.  Your motivations may be practical and not dishonest, but what you propose sounds dangerously close to fraud.  Why bother when Lloyd's will give you an account with just your passport? 

I would give RBS a try. They have a very basic current account that you might be able to get on without a permanent address. Also remember that if you are able to get a private flat share or sublet for a couple of months you might not need a bank account, and that could give you the address you need for setting up the account. Where/when will you be moving?

Frank, definitely tougher to get things established when you can't be added to your S/O's council tax bill, etc.  However, not impossible. Since you're tier 2, a letter from your employer may go a long way with the banks, saying you're an employee, on their payroll, etc. 
Also, it may be easier to go the other way around, setting up a place to live first then getting a bank account.  Many private landlords don't object to setting you up on the lease if you pay them 1 month rent in cash and the deposit in cash upfront.  Then you can establish an address, get to the bank, and then you'll be able to direct debit-cheque-whatever with a landlord.  Worth a thought anyways! 


Good luck!

This was my next question after I posted what I did.  Where are you planning to stay when you first arrive?  If you are staying with this friend, I wouldn't think it could be counted as being close to 'defrauding'...although when it comes down to it, if you were staying at an hotel when you first arrive while you look for a place to live, a bank probably wouldn't accept that.

Next question...have you checked with some possible banks via email or phone to see what their requirements are?  I know what you are told by phone and what actually happens may be two different things, but I also think you've gotten some varied information here from a lot of different people from what the same banks want - sometimes they want proof of address, sometimes they don't...

If you are not going to be living at your friend's address when you arrive and you can't arrange a permanent place, maybe the letter from the employer is your best bet...

To answer the question of having your bank statements sent to another address, I will tell you what Natwest told me.  I tried that very thing.  I had my credit union in the states mail me a copy of my monthly statement.  Natwest would not accept it because it was not the address listed as the account address.  In other words, it needs to have your address ON the statement, not just mailed TO your address.

Frank, definitely tougher to get things established when you can't be added to your S/O's council tax bill, etc.  However, not impossible. Since you're tier 2, a letter from your employer may go a long way with the banks, saying you're an employee, on their payroll, etc. 
Also, it may be easier to go the other way around, setting up a place to live first then getting a bank account.  Many private landlords don't object to setting you up on the lease if you pay them 1 month rent in cash and the deposit in cash upfront.  Then you can establish an address, get to the bank, and then you'll be able to direct debit-cheque-whatever with a landlord.  Worth a thought anyways! 

Good luck!

This is what I did when I came here on work permit.

I first got my flat.  Then got a letter from my employer.  Then, using my new address, had my US bank fax over bank statements showing my new address. 


Frank, the biggest thing to take away from this is that every bank is different and each person can have different experiences.  There is little consistency.  It is trial and error but you will probably hit on something that will work -- unfortunately there is no easy formula that we can GUARANTEE will work.

I don't believe that proof of address has to be proof of address in the UK.  When I set up my account a few weeks ago, I already had a lease agreement (signed that morning), but what the bank officer wanted was at least two forms of proof of address from the States (presumably she would have taken UK PofA if I had any); I believe I brought a mortgage statement and gas bill from the US.  I also had a letter from my employer.  This was at Barclay's.  Sara is right--different things seem to work for different banks.  If I were you, I would bring over a couple of bills from the US and hope for the best.  You may also find that it is a lot easier to get a flat without a bank account than you're thinking.  I ended up renting privately, but I asked at all of the rental agencies if I could pay the initial deposit, etc, by cash or credit card and it wasn't a big deal. 

I don't believe that proof of address has to be proof of address in the UK.  When I set up my account a few weeks ago, I already had a lease agreement (signed that morning), but what the bank officer wanted was at least two forms of proof of address from the States (presumably she would have taken UK PofA if I had any); I believe I brought a mortgage statement and gas bill from the US.  I also had a letter from my employer.  This was at Barclay's.

exactly my experience.  the manager at barclay's that i spoke with explained that if you're setting up the account after having just recently moved, all you need to show are documents from your home country.  i can't remember exactly but it's something like within 30 or 60 days of arriving...after this, you'd need UK proof of address.