Opening a UK Bank Account Prior to Arriving?

I've been doing quite a bit of researching leading up to our big move in a few months and I read somewhere that establishing a UK bank account prior to moving IS possible although not easy to do. What was your experience like opening yours? How is HSBC (Passport)? Barclays?

Thanks!

Im doing mine through HSBC. Still in the process but so far so good. Ill update you when its all done.

Thanks JennM; I'm looking forward to hearing how it went

i dont see how its possible tbh (unless u have a HBSC account and can transfer it)  you would have to show them your ID,have proof of a UK address and etc. its rare they will let you open it up overseas cause of the whole money laundering thing that goes on

Its completely possible with HSBC. I have never banked with them and they are setting up my UK account while I am still in the US. My debit card and cheques will be mailed from the UK before I leave.

Exactly what I heard JennM.

Ink-Spirational - The idea is to set up an overseas account in the states and then when you move you just go into your local branch, give them your new address information and such and they switch everything over. Lloyds and Barclays do this as well but they both have hefty deposit fees for these special accounts.

Yeah the only thing I have to do when I get there is show proof of address to change the address. My fiance is putting me on the council tax bill so I should be able to switch it as soon as I get there.

Whereabouts in London will you be living with your DH? We're moving this Spring and we'll be in the Colliers Wood/Wimbledon area.

In East London in Dagenham at least at first. My fiance is from there and has lived there all his life, but we are planning on moving once I get settled and get a job. We both like Camden or maybe even Southend. Everything is up in the air until I get a job. That will be so great to be by Wimbledon!!! I really want to go to at least one match this summer.

wish my expierance was that easy! when i came here and got a job i needed a bank account, went with my then husband to add me as a joint, they wouldnt cause i didnt have any utilities in my name    luckily barclays didnt require any letters

good luck!

Finally got my bank account opened. It wasnt a hard process but it did take longer than I expected, but overall I am happy with the service I recieved. I recommend you start at least 2 months ahead of your move. Here's how it went from start to finish:

1. Called HSBC US International accounts hotline. If anyone needs this number, I can dig around my email and find it. They sent me a password protected application which I filled out. There is a $200 service charge to set this up but you dont have to pay right away. You have to set up an HSBC US account but I did that online and only put $200 in it which is the fee to set the account up from the US. That took 15 minutes at the most.

2. I had to mail in the application with all signatures notarized and a copy of my passport notarized. From this point, I didnt hear anything for about 10 days and then I was contacted by my account specialist.

3. My account guy called and asked for additional information. I had signed some things just my first and last name and had to resign them with the EXACT signature on my passport. I also had to provide a notarized copy of my visa, pick a branch, and pay the $200 fee from the HSBC account.

4. 10 days later, I got an email saying that my account has been opened and I will be recieving my debit card and other account stuff in the mail within 20 days.

Fairly painless. All the notarized stuff got on my nerves, but luckily my US bank (Chase) did all of it for free. If you have any specific questions, please feel free to ask.

Hi JennM,

Do you happen to have the number for HSBC? I've looked on their website and can't find it anywhere. I preparing to move to London in August and am trying to decide between a offshore account at Barclays or the Passport account and wanted to see if I could speak with someone on the phone.

How do you like the Passport account so far?

Thank you.

Actually I dont think its called the Passport account. And I dont have the number anymore. Basically go to HSBC US's website and go to international services and call the 1800 number there. I love the account too!!! Its so great and convenient. I even deposited a US check with no problems.

There is an account called the HSBC Passport Account. For anyone interested, you may be able to find the information you need here:

http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/personal/current-accounts/passport;jsessionid=0000PsOM8ukMquNvkke7_Zamm7D:12ntf1n0a

I, like Ink, had a hard time opening an account on arrival in the UK, even though I opened a HSBC account in Canada before I left and had it transferred because I needed a job and proof of that job and a rental agreement, due to laundering issues, but this was over 10 years ago. Maybe things have changed? Though I am surprised they would get easier! 
 

Thanks Mapleleaf and JennM. Here are some additional details for anyone looking to do the same.

I called HSBC and found out that the passport account can be started overseas but won't fully open until you arrive in the UK and visit a branch. There are no fees to open just a 12 month commitment and a monthly fee of £8, after 12 months you can switch to a regular account.

The account that JennM opened is either a Premier or an Advance account. To open the Premier account you must earn £100,000+ annually or have over £50,000 worth of investments. The advance account has a 12 month commitment and a monthly fee of £13.00. You also have to open a US account which may or may not have a fee (depends on the account you choose). The good thing about this option is that they will use your US credit and transfer it over to the UK to help you establish credit for other banking needs with HSBC. Both of these accounts have a $200 fee to start.

I'm still trying to decide what I want to do, being tied to an account for a 12 month period is not something I'm certain I want to do.

I am now exploring opening an offshore account with Barclays, as I am a BOA member in the states and could avoid ATM fees through the Global Alliance.The good thing about Barclays is that there are no fees to open, no commitment, and monthly fees are between £0 and £10 per month. There is also an option for the money to be stored at an offshore location based in London. In order to receive everything in time you need to open 6 weeks prior.