Problem opening UK account
Connexion has previously reported on the availability of UK bank accounts for expats. Since it was published, my husband and I have tried to open an account in England, to have deposits paid into from the UK but the banks will not comply - not without being resident in the UK or with unrealistic conditions like having £5,000 - £25,000 to maintain in the account. Can you help? P.L.
The point to bear in mind with regard to the right to open a new bank account in the UK, for a resident of France, is that this right – which derives from an EU directive – only applies to selected UK banks and at these it only applies to a very simple kind of current account called a ‘basic account’. This, for example, does not include an authorised overdraft and pays no interest. The banks which offer these include: Barclays, Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank, Co-operative Bank, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group (including Halifax and Bank of Scotland), Nationwide, Royal Bank of Scotland (including NatWest and Ulster Bank), Santander and TSB.
A Lloyds Banking Group spokesperson said someone resident in the EU can apply at: lloydsbank.com/current-accounts/basic-account.asp or halifax.co.uk/bankaccounts/current-accounts/basic-account/ or bankofscotland.co.uk/bankaccounts/compare-current-accounts/basic-account/default.asp
You need to provide original ID and address documents – you can do this in person at a UK branch or send them through the post (Lloyds says they will be returned to you securely). You also have to register for online banking before the account is finally opened.
Barclays confirm you can open one at: barclays.co.uk/basic-current-account They accept a copy of ID documents if it is ‘certified’ by someone like a bank official or lawyer or a consulate.
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