UK Credit Checks when opening bank account
 

Hello,
apologies if this has been covered recently. Could you please tell me if I open an australian bank account (I was thinking Westpac) with a bank that has a UK branch either online or at the london branch will they then do a UK credit check? Also I will not be entering OZ until October but wish to save money until then, is it too early to open an australian acount now and start saving into that account.
Thanks

Re: UK Credit Checks when opening bank account
 

No they don't do any credit check. They only require ID when you get to Oz. You can put money in it now but only withdraw once you have shown ID in Oz.

Re: UK Credit Checks when opening bank account
 

I heard from a colleague at work last week that a friend of hers moved to Secret Harbour over 2 years ago leaving thousands of pounds of debt back in the UK. Nothing has come back to her so I doubt they do a UK credit check in Ozz. Another colleague has a £30k student loan which she may be leaving behind - I doubt she will though - too honest. Couldn't do it myself

Re: UK Credit Checks when opening bank account
 

Nope - due to international banking laws, information is not allowed to be shared. I had been an HSBC customer for 15 years so was going to open an account with them here. The lady in the branch told me that the 'world's local bank' thing was rubbish, as no information from the UK can be sent here, so I would lose any benefits I had from being a long-term customer. So I opened an account with ANZ, as they have more ATMs than anyone else, so fewer charges for withdrawals.

Re: UK Credit Checks when opening bank account
 

This site might be of interest to you, http://www.canstar.com.au/ they have all financial institutions listed and many products, and links to their websites so you can take your pick.

Bob

Re: UK Credit Checks when opening bank account
 

Thanks,
I have no intention of leaving debt behind but do have a bad credit rating and didn't want it to affect my new life before it's begun!