Cainess

It seems from what Ive read so far that I cannot open a UK (Northern Ireland) bank account from the US without having a CURRENT "proof of address" (utility bill)...?!? How can you provide that ahead of a move? (you can't)...

HELP.... there obviously must be ways to get around this, but how, and are they both affordable (to ordinary (not rich) ex-Pats looking to move home), and SECURE....??

Any advice gratefully received. Thanks.

MidAtlantic

You are right, it is a "Catch 22".
One solution is to use the Wise (previously Transferwise) multi-currency account (previously known as the Borderless Account) until you are able to open a UK bank account.

Helen1964

I just posted about this under the “International Banking” thread.
Can highly recommend the Wise multi currency account.

durham_lad

very useful info.

International Banking

DaveLovesDee

Hello stranger... Long time, no see..

Have you looked at opening a HSBC account in the US and seeing if you'd be able to transfer it to the UK as soon as you have a UK address?

Cainess

Dave, I think we'd prefer to open an account with the likes of Wise, who are specifically set up to be "international" (online). As soon as I get back home, one of the first things I will do when I can "prove address" is open a conventional bank account with a UK bank, and use Wise as a back-up or for moving money internationally.

Thanks to everyone else who has made comment on this thread since I posted a few days ago! (MidAtlantic, Helen and Durhamlad)

DaveLovesDee

And that's fair enough. Good luck.

scot47

i formerly used The isalamic Bank of Britain now renamed but still in business

scot47

https://www.alrayanbank.co.uk/produc...urrent-account