Expat banking
#1
Thread Starter
Forum Regular



Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 118











Hello guys,
I am looking for expat banking not tied to my residency in KSA. That is, I need a bank that I can use even when I leave KSA or the gulf. Not that I have no address in the UK and I am non-resident for tax. I asked this question to ChatGPT and the answer was:
1-HSBC - but this does not allow residence of KSA to open up an account
2- Citibank group (never heard of it)
3- Standard Chartered International (never heard of it)
I also did my own search and found
1-Lloyds bank
2-Barclay International (but only tied to residency in the GCC)
I like to know if anyone has experience with this?
Thanks
Scott
I am looking for expat banking not tied to my residency in KSA. That is, I need a bank that I can use even when I leave KSA or the gulf. Not that I have no address in the UK and I am non-resident for tax. I asked this question to ChatGPT and the answer was:
1-HSBC - but this does not allow residence of KSA to open up an account
2- Citibank group (never heard of it)
3- Standard Chartered International (never heard of it)
I also did my own search and found
1-Lloyds bank
2-Barclay International (but only tied to residency in the GCC)
I like to know if anyone has experience with this?
Thanks
Scott
#2
It sounds like an offshore bank might be better such as one based in the Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands.
I've been in Financial Services for over two decades in the GCC and would avoid HSBC as I know too many people who have faced customer service and account closing issues but there are plenty of other banks that will provide you with an account which you can open while in KSA and continue to use if you go elsewhere. I've used Standard Bank in IoM for years without any issues - Lloyds and Santander and many others have offshore banking facilities too. Some have quite high minimum balances and others are more reasonable.
Expect a fair amount of paperwork to open an account as well. And depending where you relocate to next you might find more paperwork demands.
I've been in Financial Services for over two decades in the GCC and would avoid HSBC as I know too many people who have faced customer service and account closing issues but there are plenty of other banks that will provide you with an account which you can open while in KSA and continue to use if you go elsewhere. I've used Standard Bank in IoM for years without any issues - Lloyds and Santander and many others have offshore banking facilities too. Some have quite high minimum balances and others are more reasonable.
Expect a fair amount of paperwork to open an account as well. And depending where you relocate to next you might find more paperwork demands.
#3
Thread Starter
Forum Regular



Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 118











It sounds like an offshore bank might be better such as one based in the Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands.
I've been in Financial Services for over two decades in the GCC and would avoid HSBC as I know too many people who have faced customer service and account closing issues but there are plenty of other banks that will provide you with an account which you can open while in KSA and continue to use if you go elsewhere. I've used Standard Bank in IoM for years without any issues - Lloyds and Santander and many others have offshore banking facilities too. Some have quite high minimum balances and others are more reasonable.
Expect a fair amount of paperwork to open an account as well. And depending where you relocate to next you might find more paperwork demands.
I've been in Financial Services for over two decades in the GCC and would avoid HSBC as I know too many people who have faced customer service and account closing issues but there are plenty of other banks that will provide you with an account which you can open while in KSA and continue to use if you go elsewhere. I've used Standard Bank in IoM for years without any issues - Lloyds and Santander and many others have offshore banking facilities too. Some have quite high minimum balances and others are more reasonable.
Expect a fair amount of paperwork to open an account as well. And depending where you relocate to next you might find more paperwork demands.
I tried Barclays but it seems they do not operate in KSA and they have ridiculous conditions. The remaining options are the one you mentioned.





