You ain't gonna belive this!!!

The longest HSBC has taken to clear a US cheque was about 5 days. They told me it could take up to 2 weeks though. I guess I've gotten lucky?

IMHO, yes indeed!!!

My checks, at the time it really hurt with all this, were quite large (student loan checks). So amount does come into play I think (not implying you didn't have big checks, Kristi! just pointing out that it could make a difference!). 

That's just it... my cheques were loan cheques too!  One was a cashier's draft from my credit union back home and the other 2 were loan cheques.  I was scared my first rent payment wouldn't go out in time if my first deposit didn't clear.  I'm glad I got lucky!

Were the cheques from well-known financial institutions?  If so, that may have helped in the clearance process.  Just a thought.

Not that I know of.  I mean, they weren't from BofA or a major national bank.

there is one US cc i have that always does that..

i went in boots a while back used it and it got declined the lady had to call my cc from the store and tell them what it says on my state id (lucklily i had it that day) and then after like 15 mins they let it go throu

so i dont use that card anymore i just keep it makes me mad cuz i cant use it at ALL over here or online it declines everytime...    thanks gosh for capital one never had a problem using there card over here

The longest HSBC has taken to clear a US cheque was about 5 days.  They told me it could take up to 2 weeks though.  I guess I've gotten lucky?

My husband deposited large American cashier's cheque, a small American cashier's cheque and a normal (personal) Brit cheque into HSBC yesterday afternoon  (well after 12pm) and they had all cleared this morning by 9am... fastest service I've ever received, and today is Chritmas Eve... Christmas miracle?

NO one should ever, ever do business with Barclays, which is THE most unethical bank in Britain. Historically, their money came from the slave trade, they were deep supporters of apartheid in SA, etc. Think of evil, he's carrying a Barclays card.

Erm....too bad they are my parent company.  But we hate them too. 

From what Barclay's reps have told both Andrew and me, they hold up checks ONLY if they're for 5,000 POUNDS or more. After submitting my check for that amount in DOLLARS at the end of November, it still hasn't cleared, and given that businesses in Europe basically shut down at this time of year, I don't expect to see that money credited to our account until a couple of weeks into the new year. I've had enough of it. It sounds as if HSBC is the way to go...

Suzanne,
Any amount over 4999.99 dollars is recorded in the US by the treasury department / IRS.  It's a way to track money laundering / other illegal activities.  At least, that was the law two years ago.  Even in the states when you move 5k in cash from place to place (i.e. not a cashiers check) you have to fill out a form from bank to bank.

We've had good luck with NatWest Bank.  They appointed us a personal telephone banking person (and we're not rich) to help us out with establishing credit in the UK (to get a cell phone plan etc.)  The only thing I don't like is all the freakin hoops you have to jump through to get anything done.  In order to engage in telephone banking, they have to mail you a form which you complete and mail back, then they phone you at your home number to confirm the information on the form you just mailed back to them.  Then after that they mail you a code number you have to give them to do online banking.

Whew, at least the money's safe! hahaha
Stephan

Any amount over 4999.99 dollars is recorded in the US by the treasury department / IRS.  It's a way to track money laundering / other illegal activities.  At least, that was the law two years ago.  Even in the states when you move 5k in cash from place to place (i.e. not a cashiers check) you have to fill out a form from bank to bank.

Perhaps that is the cheque amount, but the cash deposit amount is any amount over $400.

Any amount over 4999.99 dollars is recorded in the US by the treasury department / IRS. It's a way to track money laundering / other illegal activities.

Actually, from all my ANTI-money laundering training through work...it's 10,000 usd.

Edited to say that i indeed am not participating in money laundering training.  ANTI is the more appropriate word. 

Actually, from all my money laundering training through work...it's 10,000 usd.

LMAO!!! Sorry Aimiloo, but that sentence sorta makes it sound like you DO money laundering!! *snort* 

LOL! i meant anti money laundering training!!!!!!

hehehehe.  good lord!!!!!   

Yeah right, you say that NOW.  we're onto you! 

LOL.....omg.  i better edit that post!!!!