Problem opening a Basic Bank Account for a non-national

A tenancy agreement is an acceptable form of proof of address for most financial providers (see the link to the FSA website confirming what should be acceptable)

If the major high street banks are not proving helpful, try a local Building Society that provides basic passbook/card accounts first. Once an account is opened, he could then use his first statement as proof of address for a bank if he requires Direct Debits etc.

Good luck

Vic

A friend of mine from New Zealand got around this problem by taking out a television licence. This was a couple of years ago, so it may be worth checking if they are still acceptable with most banks as proof of address.

Stewart Gardiner

I have a couple of friends from Norway who had some trouble opening accounts in the UK initially but were able to with the Co-operative bank. You might try them. They don't have many branches but with internet/telephone banking and banking at the post office I don't see this as much of a problem personally. If you want to call them ring 08457 212

212. When it asks for your account number just press # to be put through to a customer service advisor who should be able to help you.

We used to get round this by problem by the employer arranging specially with their own bank to provide basic banking facilities for the overseas employee so they could get at their cash.

However it was a large employing organisation and able to exert some influence on their bank.

This is the best bet. I tried to open up a current account in the UK after spending 3 years abroad. I was treated as if I was Bin-Laden's finance officer. The obstacle seemed to be a credit check - never having borrowed money or had any CCJs or been bankrupt seems to be a red flag for giving someone a bank account.

My company told its branch of Barclays to open an account - they had millions going through the branch so they did this without too much of a fuss.

I had a simular situation with my flatmate; - what I did was that I wrote a letter of recomodation (and confirmation of identity/address) to my bank (nationwide) and sent her down with that (and her passport) and she got the accoutn on the spot!...