Banking

This link might also help:

http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/bank_account.php

I opened my hsbc uk account and will probably close it.

For students they have the Passport account, they charge 8 pounds per month, and the 'benefit' is you get transfers for about 10 pounds, the representative wasn't very clear about this, he actually gave a range.  Also, he said transfers both ways, but in the brochure only mentions 'transferring money home', which at least in my case is not what I need.  I went with hsbc because i already had an account with them, but other banks had free accounts (Lloyds tbs??).

  I went with hsbc because i already had an account with them, but other banks had free accounts (Lloyds tbs??).

I went with Lloyd's, since it was free.

Yeah, just got back from Kingston's orientation. HSBC wanted 8 pounds a month, NatWest wanted 6.75 pounds. I think I'm going to stop by Lloyd's tomorrow. Any other suggestions?

I went with Lloyd's, since it was free.

how easy was it to set up an account? Did you have to show proof of UK residency? If so how did you do this?

I leave for europe sunday, dont get to the UK till 27th, hoping this will be fairly quick and easy.

I also think im gonna use ATM withdraws to transfer money from bank of america account to UK bank instead of bank wire.

how easy was it to set up an account? Did you have to show proof of UK residency? If so how did you do this?

Everything was pretty simple. The various banks came to my university (Lloyd's, HSBC, NatWest, and Santander).  I had to fill out a Uni form, and an application.  The university uses the form to draw up a letter that I'll have to pick up and take to the bank.  At that point, I'll find out all the details, and can deposit money into it. The card is being mailed to me, and should arrive within the week.

how easy was it to set up an account? Did you have to show proof of UK residency? If so how did you do this?

You can expect your college or university to give you banking advice as part of any orientation for new international students.  They may have specific arrangements with some local banks.

In general, don't try to organise everything before you even arrive, because usually it's not possible.

I went with HSBC, it was easy and quick.  I chose them over Lloyds only because they seem a lot more prevalent in my area.  I needed my passport, proof of my American address and proof of my current address (my lease worked fine).  I didn't even need to put any money in.

Does anyone have experience with citi? My school recommended hsbc and citi bc most students go with them. My main worry is about transfers. I would need to transfer money to my us credit union to pay my car bill & cap one credit card every month. Im also worried about this proof of uk address. Im living with family so no bills are in my name and most of my us bills refuse to send internationally so i access them online. Any recommendations?

I would keep my american account open to pay your car bill, etc.  Just transfer what you need for here to the uk account.

Yeah I'm def keeping my us bank. It's pretty much the best bank in California. I don't think I'll ever leave them. But I plan on keeping most of my money in the uk account that way I don't have to keep dealing with fees plus my card doesn't work in any of the machines at the stores so they have to swipe it and it's just a huge hassle every time.

Are there any banks that don't require that letter from your school? my school is behind on the letters and I've run out of money. Ive got my check but no bank will cash it unless i have an acct. I went to lloyds and they require that letter. Any other options?

Behind on letters?  Sorry to hear that.  At my Uni, you just go in and stand in line and they print it off for you then and there.  I went with Barclays.  They have a free account (no chip and pin, only a cash card to pull out money from and ATM and no online banking) and an account that is £5 per month (first three months free) with chip and pin, online banking etc.  Be warned though, it takes 5 business days for your cheque to clear even if it's drawn on the same bank.  Eg. my check is from Barclays through my Uni and Barclays still takes 5 days to process their own cheque.  I thought this was really crazy but my bf (British) says it's very standard.  I hope this works out for you. 

I thought it was ridiculous too. I went in twice to get it and asked if they could just do it for me then but they said no. I'm going to try to get my bf uncle to cash it for me instead. Otherwise i have no way of getting to school bc ive completely run out of funds. :/ 

How is everyone proving UK residency?!!