Opening Oz bank account in the UK
Jun 17th 2003, 9:13 am
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: lincolnshire South of Perth by end of October 03 Please
Posts: 273
Opening Oz bank account in the UK
Has anyone else had the problems I have had trying to open an Australian bank account in the UK prior to leaving.
HSBC: phoned them 3 weeks ago and asked for infromation on opening an account.
They said I must have a letter of introduction from my current bankers before they send the applications.
Received the letter yesterday and phoned them for the Application. I did not even mention that I had the letter and they sent the forms anyway.
The requirements on the form are that the letter must be addressed to the HSBC Bank in Sydney. I had it addressed to me. It also said it must have an international signatory. It is signed PP The Manager.
Looks like £10 wasted on this letter.
Commonwealth Bank: Contacted through the web site late February for an information pack................May, nothing yet.
3 weeks ago contacted again for information.
Got a letter from Com Bank Perth last week from someone saying he is my contact when I arrive in Perth and if I want to open an account prior to leaving contact name given in London.
I have emailed and phoned with no response at all.
I ONLY WANT THEM TO HOLD MY MONEY IN A BANK ACCOUNT
Does anyone have any contacts or ideas on how to make life easier?
Tony C
HSBC: phoned them 3 weeks ago and asked for infromation on opening an account.
They said I must have a letter of introduction from my current bankers before they send the applications.
Received the letter yesterday and phoned them for the Application. I did not even mention that I had the letter and they sent the forms anyway.
The requirements on the form are that the letter must be addressed to the HSBC Bank in Sydney. I had it addressed to me. It also said it must have an international signatory. It is signed PP The Manager.
Looks like £10 wasted on this letter.
Commonwealth Bank: Contacted through the web site late February for an information pack................May, nothing yet.
3 weeks ago contacted again for information.
Got a letter from Com Bank Perth last week from someone saying he is my contact when I arrive in Perth and if I want to open an account prior to leaving contact name given in London.
I have emailed and phoned with no response at all.
I ONLY WANT THEM TO HOLD MY MONEY IN A BANK ACCOUNT
Does anyone have any contacts or ideas on how to make life easier?
Tony C
Jun 17th 2003, 9:20 am
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 88
Have you tried ANZ?
My dad had no problems opening an account with them from the UK, he had to fax a copy of his drivers licence and passport and I think a letter from his bank but it was done and dusted within 2 days.
The only problem he had was setting up internet banking from a UK account, they send out a letter with a number that is only active for a week and when you are waiting for it to arrive from Australia, it is touch and go
PM me if you need more details, I can ask my dad.
My dad had no problems opening an account with them from the UK, he had to fax a copy of his drivers licence and passport and I think a letter from his bank but it was done and dusted within 2 days.
The only problem he had was setting up internet banking from a UK account, they send out a letter with a number that is only active for a week and when you are waiting for it to arrive from Australia, it is touch and go
PM me if you need more details, I can ask my dad.
Jun 17th 2003, 9:24 am
#3
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Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: lincolnshire South of Perth by end of October 03 Please
Posts: 273
Originally posted by Teliko19
Have you tried ANZ?
My dad had no problems opening an account with them from the UK, he had to fax a copy of his drivers licence and passport and I think a letter from his bank but it was done and dusted within 2 days.
The only problem he had was setting up internet banking from a UK account, they send out a letter with a number that is only active for a week and when you are waiting for it to arrive from Australia, it is touch and go
PM me if you need more details, I can ask my dad.
Have you tried ANZ?
My dad had no problems opening an account with them from the UK, he had to fax a copy of his drivers licence and passport and I think a letter from his bank but it was done and dusted within 2 days.
The only problem he had was setting up internet banking from a UK account, they send out a letter with a number that is only active for a week and when you are waiting for it to arrive from Australia, it is touch and go
PM me if you need more details, I can ask my dad.
I have looked at the ANZ web site and it says
It is not possible to open an account offshore.
Must have changed the rules.
I will have another look.
Thanks
Tony C
Jun 17th 2003, 9:42 am
#4
Sydneysider and lovin it!
Joined: Nov 2002
Location: Sydney - Eastern Subs
Posts: 225
Re: Opening Oz bank account in the UK
Originally posted by crabtree
Has anyone else had the problems I have had trying to open an Australian bank account in the UK prior to leaving.
HSBC: phoned them 3 weeks ago and asked for infromation on opening an account.
They said I must have a letter of introduction from my current bankers before they send the applications.
Received the letter yesterday and phoned them for the Application. I did not even mention that I had the letter and they sent the forms anyway.
The requirements on the form are that the letter must be addressed to the HSBC Bank in Sydney. I had it addressed to me. It also said it must have an international signatory. It is signed PP The Manager.
Looks like £10 wasted on this letter.
Commonwealth Bank: Contacted through the web site late February for an information pack................May, nothing yet.
3 weeks ago contacted again for information.
Got a letter from Com Bank Perth last week from someone saying he is my contact when I arrive in Perth and if I want to open an account prior to leaving contact name given in London.
I have emailed and phoned with no response at all.
I ONLY WANT THEM TO HOLD MY MONEY IN A BANK ACCOUNT
Does anyone have any contacts or ideas on how to make life easier?
Tony C
Has anyone else had the problems I have had trying to open an Australian bank account in the UK prior to leaving.
HSBC: phoned them 3 weeks ago and asked for infromation on opening an account.
They said I must have a letter of introduction from my current bankers before they send the applications.
Received the letter yesterday and phoned them for the Application. I did not even mention that I had the letter and they sent the forms anyway.
The requirements on the form are that the letter must be addressed to the HSBC Bank in Sydney. I had it addressed to me. It also said it must have an international signatory. It is signed PP The Manager.
Looks like £10 wasted on this letter.
Commonwealth Bank: Contacted through the web site late February for an information pack................May, nothing yet.
3 weeks ago contacted again for information.
Got a letter from Com Bank Perth last week from someone saying he is my contact when I arrive in Perth and if I want to open an account prior to leaving contact name given in London.
I have emailed and phoned with no response at all.
I ONLY WANT THEM TO HOLD MY MONEY IN A BANK ACCOUNT
Does anyone have any contacts or ideas on how to make life easier?
Tony C
Commonwealth Bank has a UK branch (in London) which specifically deals with migrant issues like yours.
Don't know the address but it's probably on the website.
BEFORE everybody yells at me I know they are expensive but I'm just answering the question.
Dinky
Jun 17th 2003, 9:58 am
#5
We arrived november 2004
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Meadows (Adelaide)
Posts: 408
Re: Opening Oz bank account in the UK
Originally posted by Dinky
Commonwealth Bank has a UK branch (in London) which specifically deals with migrant issues like yours.
Don't know the address but it's probably on the website.
BEFORE everybody yells at me I know they are expensive but I'm just answering the question.
Dinky
Commonwealth Bank has a UK branch (in London) which specifically deals with migrant issues like yours.
Don't know the address but it's probably on the website.
BEFORE everybody yells at me I know they are expensive but I'm just answering the question.
Dinky
I have an HSBC account here in UK I spoke to them about going abroad gave them the usual detailsand did they have a branch in Adelaide.
No problems all I have to do is let them know dates and they will transfer the account.
Could it be worth another try with HSBC
good luck
Sarah
Jun 17th 2003, 10:08 am
#6
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Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: lincolnshire South of Perth by end of October 03 Please
Posts: 273
Re: Opening Oz bank account in the UK
Originally posted by kentcoast
I have an HSBC account here in UK I spoke to them about going abroad gave them the usual detailsand did they have a branch in Adelaide.
No problems all I have to do is let them know dates and they will transfer the account.
Could it be worth another try with HSBC
good luck
Sarah
I have an HSBC account here in UK I spoke to them about going abroad gave them the usual detailsand did they have a branch in Adelaide.
No problems all I have to do is let them know dates and they will transfer the account.
Could it be worth another try with HSBC
good luck
Sarah
Not so simple if you dont have an account with HSBC in the UK.
Tony C
Jun 17th 2003, 10:09 am
#7
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Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: lincolnshire South of Perth by end of October 03 Please
Posts: 273
Re: Opening Oz bank account in the UK
Originally posted by Dinky
Commonwealth Bank has a UK branch (in London) which specifically deals with migrant issues like yours.
Don't know the address but it's probably on the website.
BEFORE everybody yells at me I know they are expensive but I'm just answering the question.
Dinky
Commonwealth Bank has a UK branch (in London) which specifically deals with migrant issues like yours.
Don't know the address but it's probably on the website.
BEFORE everybody yells at me I know they are expensive but I'm just answering the question.
Dinky
This is the one I have emailed and phoned with no response.
Tony C
Jun 17th 2003, 10:14 am
#8
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Joined: Mar 2003
Location: Going Home
Posts: 1,215
I took the forms into HSBC got everything checked and signed got the bank to send the info off, and now received letter saying the want letters of introduction. !! So will send them soon as we get them. HSBC seem to be a lot more security consious and also credit check. (if opened via UK)
The commonwealth bank was a doddle, phoned them up they sent the forms sent the info back, bank account open. !
The website for the Oz banks can be found at www.movingdownunder.co.uk/files/finance.php
The commonwealth bank was a doddle, phoned them up they sent the forms sent the info back, bank account open. !
The website for the Oz banks can be found at www.movingdownunder.co.uk/files/finance.php
Jun 17th 2003, 10:24 am
#9
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Joined: Jun 2003
Location: Lindfield W.Sussex
Posts: 183
Re: Opening Oz bank account in the UK
Originally posted by crabtree
This is the one I have emailed and phoned with no response.
Tony C
This is the one I have emailed and phoned with no response.
Tony C
We have been using the commonwealth bank london, when phoning or emailing speak to the manager migrant services
Email: [email protected] or tel: 020 7710 3990, have tried a few and commonwealth seemed more than helpful, you have to go up in person to open an account. Ming Levy is the person who dealt with us in Perth she was really helpful, we were given the name of Richard Hoffman for London. good luck
Jun 17th 2003, 11:26 am
#10
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Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: lincolnshire South of Perth by end of October 03 Please
Posts: 273
Originally posted by Teliko19
Have you tried ANZ?
My dad had no problems opening an account with them from the UK, he had to fax a copy of his drivers licence and passport and I think a letter from his bank but it was done and dusted within 2 days.
The only problem he had was setting up internet banking from a UK account, they send out a letter with a number that is only active for a week and when you are waiting for it to arrive from Australia, it is touch and go
PM me if you need more details, I can ask my dad.
Have you tried ANZ?
My dad had no problems opening an account with them from the UK, he had to fax a copy of his drivers licence and passport and I think a letter from his bank but it was done and dusted within 2 days.
The only problem he had was setting up internet banking from a UK account, they send out a letter with a number that is only active for a week and when you are waiting for it to arrive from Australia, it is touch and go
PM me if you need more details, I can ask my dad.
I have been back on the ANZ website and I must have missread the first time.
It actually says, when you try to open an account on line:
' This service is not available if you reside in Australia'
Strange.
So I have applied on line and hopefully things will go smoothly.
I will let you know.
Many Thanks
Tony C
