US bank check in UK

I'm trying to deposit a rather large bank check (cashier's check, made out to me in $) from my US bank into my £ current account here but was told that it would take up to 6 weeks to credit my account! Is there a faster way to deposit it and get access to it? I'm paying rent and other important things with the funds. It's a Citibank check btw and my bank is Co-operative Bank. Would it be easy to open and fund a Citibank $ account with it?

You could try paypal

If it's in check form, they will have to change it from $ to £ and while they say 6 weeks it's usually more like 2 weeks. They just give themselves some leeway just in case. Mine usually gets converted in one week now.

I have some VERY recent experience with this myself, although my cheque wasn't a huge amount ($257) but it was from the State of Alabama's Treasurer's Office for unclaimed propery.  I took it into my bank (Bank of Ireland) last week and asked if I could lodge it and if so, how long would it take to clear.  I was told that they would exchange it for me and that it wouldn't take any longer than a regular cheque to go through the clearning process.  However if your cheque is really large it might take a little longer so the bank doesn't take on a lot of risk while it clears. 

One of the checks is for $40,000. Mind you, it's not a personal check but a cashier's check/banker's draft.

Hi Treacle,

I'd suggest you contact a currency exchange specialist who are able to obtain the very best exchange rates and for larger sums like this, as they beat the high street banks rates you'd see more of your $40,000 and other amounts.

Have a search for 'Currency Exchange specialists' ..   examples are HiFx and Moneycorp for instance.

Cheers, DtM!

But will they exchange a banker's/cashier's check?? 

Hi Treacle,

I'd suggest you contact a currency exchange specialist who are able to obtain the very best exchange rates and for larger sums like this, as they beat the high street banks rates you'd see more of your $40,000 and other amounts.

Have a search for 'Currency Exchange specialists' ..   examples are HiFx and Moneycorp for instance.

Cheers, DtM!