clint

it it is of any help it took a while and a fair bit of frustration but OH got his account up and running only thing we are waiting for is paper work to activate debit card. The transfer service was brilliant all dd and all other details from original bank account transferred over very smoothly

jiminalpago

​​​​​​It's a regular "Transfer of Capital" I make, to cover expenditure in Italy. What I fear is another Brexit surprise; that the previous regime of no-charges-by-the-receiving-bank was an EU privilege.
In early December I sent £150 from Lloyds to a granddaughter in Hong Kong; her bank, HSBC as it happens, said they didn't recognise her account details and returned £90! I hope it isn't a jungle out here, beyond the Schengen border.

Serrano

Mmmm, interesting. Where did the cost come in?

Thanks for this input as well. What form of identification did OH have to produce? And what was the frustration (DDs etc don't come into it for me - a sort code / account number for incoming payments and online banking (both essential), and Debit Card (ideally) are the only things I would really need)

clint

OH sent a copy of bank statement and copy of passport first hurdle was finding a lawyer to certify docs, eventually we found one who has several British clients so he certified the documents for us. We then sent certified docs with the wording HSBC asked for, attached to each document there was the lawyer business card. First we were told they had not received the documents when we pointed out they were delivered by dhl and the date they were delivered they said oh yes we got them. A week later they said there are no lawyer details again we said there is a business card attach to each document (this was all via the call centre) we weren't getting anywhere. OH contacted HSBC via FB page and must say they replied very quickly and sorted things out. Documents delivered 11/11 finally the account was set up beginning of December. OH asked for the switch service it takes 7/10 days, everything from previous bank was transferred over, they inform payers sending money in of new bank details same for DD. The only downside is that you will need to wait for welcome pack sent by post to get your new account number sort code to be able to set up internet banking/telephone banking Debit card is sent separately so is the pin to activate the card

If you look through their web site there is a section where you can upload the documents it didn't work for us but worth a try

Ruby2

I think the facility for uploading documents is only available for people applying from the UK.

We had a similar frustrating and protracted experience. We finally got an email mid-December saying our application has been successful and are now waiting for account details and debit cards to arrive by post.

philat98

From the Brexit changes thread Spanish banks are charging .35% on transfers from the UK now because the UK is outside EEA. Unicredit is charging more!
I am thinking of scrapping Unicredit and getting a N26 account. N26 gives you an Italian IBAN but no credit card.

scrubbedexpat077

Is N26 a bit like Transfwise or a proper bank?

jiminalpago

Yes, confirmed by the branch this morning; made up of two entries. €11 + €3,50.

PSG2014

I checked out N26 (based in Berlin ??), which I believe is a 'proper' bank, but I was concerned as to how they seem to have closed all accounts in the UK a year or two ago BEFORE Brexit. I keep getting emails from them, I might still be tempted, but, I keep coming back to, why not open another bank account here to transfer the lot from a UK account or a regular (e.g. monthly) amount such as a pension?

PSG

philat98

Something between I think. I will send some money from UK and see what happens.

philat98

N26 made no deduction on a transfer of €200.

modicasa

You cant open an N26 account from a British address, but if you have an Italian address you can.

jiminalpago

Re charges, found a message from Unicredit in early December warning that UK's exit fom SEPA club would mean 3rd Country charges in future. (I use my phone for bank business and seldom read the messages.)
Your mention of Unicredit charges caused me to check what I have been paying.
My account is "Supergenius 2.0". Monthly charge is €13,04, offset by €3 refund for regular, monthly credits therefore €10,04 net. There is no charge for movements or for withdrawals from a Unicredit ATM. I recently replaced my Debit card for one with touch technology, paying €7 for the replacement card; costi di emissione are €22 per year with 100% sconto sul costo annuo, ie €0!
In summary, I can't really complain. Perhaps the branches make it up as they go along.

scrubbedexpat077

When is that going to happen? I have no news that the UK will exit from SEPA. Or was this in the Brexit deal?

Geordieborn

It seems a bit vague at the moment, but as far as I can see the UK has not, and will not be, exiting SEPA. Therefore I suspect banks are incorrectly charging people.