For banking, this is what I'm doing (I'm the USC):
1. Open a US HSBC account.
2. Use my US HSBC account to remotely open a UK HSBC account (costs $200 and they need passport and other documents)
3. Arrive (hopefully) in England with an intact bank account that will give me a ready-made proof of address (not to mention a bank account, which is difficult to get)
Hope that helps! It's an idea to consider.