DH and I are about two months away from our move to London and starting to think about opening a bank account/s, so that we have a working bank account with cards before we leave Australia. Really I'm just looking for some general advice from someone who has already done it.

I assume that for regular accounts different banks are pretty much all the same (as they are here) - is that true, or are there major differences? At the moment we're not looking at opening a credit account, just a regular old savings account.

Also - DH wants to go though an agency to organise the accounts. To be honest I think he's just being a bit lazy and it's something we should be able to do ourselves. Is that true? Will it be too much of a hassle?

So: Any bank recommendations? Particularly as we may want to open a credit account later down the line, I guess I don't want the stuff around of changing banks.
Has anyone opened their own account before they have left Australia? Was it a massive hassle?
Any other advice would be much appreciated!

We opened one with HSBC before we left, and they were great both then, and while we were there.
We did have some issues with them after returning home, though that probably won't happen to you (we became overdrawn while travelling, paid it back the day before returning home, but because it was a Saturday, they couldn't shut the account down until Monday. We left instructions for them to do so, but they slapped a fine on us for being overdrawn (despite branch staff assuring us that it would be fine) and chased us about it for ages)

I would definitely set it up before you go with HSBC. I tried to open up one on my arrival some 8 years ago with my english boyfriend and it posed a huge problem to begin with. Eventually I got one, but I could have done without it

I set one up with HSBC years ago when I was living in NZ. My housemate opened one up once over there and had hassles (different bank).

When I first moved to London in 2003, most banks wouldn't allow you to open an account unless you had a permanent address and had been living there for at least 3 months. Regardless of if you had an account with the same bank in Australia.

Most recruitment agencies have affiliations with banks, so they will write you a reference and you can open an account this way. This is what I did and it didn't cost me anything. When you first open a bank account, it is a savings account but this is a very basic account whereby the only thing you can do is withdraw money from an atm - no eftpos or anything like that. After a few months they then allow you to set up a Current account, which is like a normal savings account here and at this point most will give you a credit card as well.

If you plan on travelling alot, I'd recommend opening a Nationwide bank account - no fees when withdrawing money from an atm overseas (so no need to carry so much cash) and their exchange rates are very good.

If you can open an account before you go do so. It can be a real pain to open an account.
When I came here on a working holiday visa in 2002, I managed to get an account with Barclays's but it was a massive hassle. A friend had to go to three banks before they agreed to open an account. HSBC is a good option.

Thanks ladies. Will have a look at HSBC and try my hardest to get them organised before we leave.

OMG open one before you go. Opening a bank account in the UK is not at all easy like it is here. You need a reference from your work and a place of address which can be difficult when you are just staying somewhere temporary - eurgh I could go on about what a pain it is.

We opened our bank account with HSBC which seems to be who most expats are with.

Have a great time

What the other girls have recommended is good advice. I got a student account easily over there, but if you are travellling or working it's a pain in the proverbial

some of the travel agents have the possibility to open one up - my brother got a LLOYDS TSB account through STA travel I think. I was with (and still am) Midland and then HSBC and really liked their service etc.

Thanks!



I will be studying, but DH will be working and this is similar to other advice we have received. We will be staying for a minimum of 3-4 years (I'm doing my PhD over there, and DH is a UK citizen), so I don't want something I'm just going to have to change down the line - but something that will still be very easy to travel with. Have had a bit of a look though the HSBC site of all your advice, so will get on it this week!