cyborg

Does anyone have advice on how to open a bank account or building society account before moving back to the UK from the US or when I arrive.

Thank you

Marty

holly_1948

Many European banks don't like to have US citizens as customers (except zillionaires). So if you are are US citizen then after you arrive it is best not to tell the bank or give them reason to suspect that you might be.

Other posters here have opened bank accounts in the Isle of Man while still living in USA. I'm not sure of the details. An Isle of Man Bank account gives you almost everything a UK account gives you.

Bermudashorts

I wouldn't even waste your time trying before you arrive. Your overseas cards will all work here so plan to do that for the short term upon arrival. Then look to get proof of address firmly in place as soon as you can, utilities and council tax in particular as these are often asked for in financial / banking processes here.

robin1234

Yes exactly. Isle of Man offshore accounts are designed for folks like us, e.g. U.S. citizen British expats, so they are easy accounts to open if you're resident in the U.S. Just need a few notarised docs to prove your identity & residence address, such as passport and a recent bank statement.

Mine is Lloyds Bank. I mention that because I think most IoM offshore accounts are just savings accounts or various investment vehicles, but Lloyds (maybe Barclays too) has a regular current account. It is EXACTLY like an ordinary UK account, with cheques, debit/ATM card, the ability to set up direct debits etc.

I've been back in the UK almost a year and I've no incentive to set up a British account, the IoM one works fine. There are no fees, maybe you have to keep a minimum balance (£5,000?) for that.

cyborg

Oh hold on I am not a US citizen lived here with my green card had no desire to dirty my British passport by mixing it with a US passport or doing anything to become a US citizen in the freaky crazy US hence had enough here. I am British always will be so when I go home with 200k just looking to deposit it into a bank or building society and wanted to know if i could easily do that after i get home.

not2old

when you get back, have a UK address, the simple answer is yes

robin1234

Ah OK, in your first post you asked about opening an account before you returned to the UK.

holly_1948

Once you arrive and apply in person the bank will want two things
1. Proof of right to reside (passport is fine for this)
2. Proof of address (signed rental contract or house purchase closing papers (if recent) or other house ownership papers (if not a recent purchase)). Or other (more complicated) proof.

Simplest is to open that IoM bank account ahead of time and so hit the ground running.