We have kept our UK Natwest Bank account, not an issue. For our savings we opened an account in the Isle of Man with Nationwide and receive good rates of interest tax free as we are non resident. When we lived in Canada we did have to declare it though.

I have offshore accounts, and can recommend certain banks, if you want. Normally you will need a certain amount to open an account - 50K if my memory is right.

I also have accounts in the US, Canada and the UK.

There is no reason why you could not have a savings account in the UK if you are Canadian resident.

There are some accounts you can't have if you are a resident of the US - you are not allowed to hold certain securities. For example UK banks often offer you savings products where you get a % increase against the increase of the FTSE 100 - you cannot have one of these if you are resident in the US.

I don't think the same applies if you are resident of Canada, but it might.

This may be what the initial bank was thinking of.