vikingsail

Agreed - this is my rule of 3. Whenever I am denied anything by private, govt institutions e.g., banks, call centres I always call twice more. Invariably you get the right answer or confirmation via 2 out of 3.

Pulaski

Very few indeed, and in fact I can only think of three - HSBC, Citizens (which I think is still under ownership of RBS), and Santander which is Spanish, but also has branches in the UK). The problem with your theory is that all three of those are actually US banks formed under US law (all operate in the US as "… NA" (National Association) banks, and have nothing much to do with branches with similar names in other countries other than that they are under common ownership. The best HSBC in the US can do is to open an account in the UK (or other country) for you, but HSBC seems to be geared increasingly to the wealthy or very wealthy and charge fees accordingly).

The idea that you could walk into a Citizens Bank branch and ask them to open an account with RBS in the UK is simply not going to work, and I suspect that many of the branch staff at Citizens aren't even aware that their majority shareholder is RBS.

BritInParis

If you have previously been a customer of a UK bank then it’s worth approaching them as you are usually on their system still even with a closed account and they can reactivate your account and just update your address.

fiona stanfield

Pulaski

Maybe, maybe not, but I lean towards "not".

A "utility bill" would usually mean water, electricity, or gas, or probably phone (land line). I am sceptical that internet/ cable phone would count.

BritInParis

It usually doesn’t.

fiona stanfield

Pulaski

You can use either of your passports when entering the UK, though it might lead to an odd record in the UK passport system if you are a British citizen living in the UK and enter on your US passport, because it would show you as an overstay after six months.