Originally Posted by Bluegrass Lass

My husband attempted to open an HSBC passport account while he was still here in the US. The website said he had to wait 14 days for an answer. In the meantime, he landed in Scotland, went directly to Lloyd's and they opened him a Premier current account right away. About a week after he arrived in Scotland, he got a letter here in the US rejecting his account application saying his credit score wasn't high enough. So who knows why he was good enough for Lloyd's, but not HSBC.

Originally Posted by Mecano

Hello everyone,
As part of homework before moving to the UK, I contacted my bank to see if money could be transferred easily to a UK account. I have posted this exchange since it should give all of you in the same boat an idea of the hurdles to jump regarding your money!
I am still pondering what the best solution is since you can’t open a bank account until you are settled in the UK, and once there issues below kick in…
TD bank gave me this response:
06/14/2011
5:47:04 PM
Sender Customer Care
Subject RE: International transfers
Message Dear Mr. Xxxxx
Thank you for contacting us in regards to transferring funds internationally.
You can have funds wired to your TD Bank account from another bank.
However you can only process wire transfers from a TD Bank account to another financial institution by visiting a TD Bank location. However, you may use your debit card to make ATM withdrawals overseas or bring your debit card to a bank and obtain to a cash advance in order to access funds.
If you have any further questions, please contact us via email or call 1-888-751-9000 to speak with a Customer Service Representative, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Regards,
Jamice
TD Bank On-Line
E-mail Specialist

Your Reply:

Thank you for your response;
however, there is a limit on the amount of money available through an ATM. If large amounts are needed (such as paying rent, buying a car, etc.)Then obviously presenting myself to a local branch is not the best solution when you are 3500 miles away. I have heard of services such as Xwire etc that can do this, but it would seem rather cumbersome. Can't a permanent EFT service, such as online payments, be created between the two banks? I will be receiving funds in America and in Britain and would like to be able to meet my obligations at both ends with minimal hassle.
Perhaps other institutions are better suited for this purpose? If you believe this to be the case, I will be sad to leave you after all these years, but surely there must be a better solution in this global age?
I would appreciate your honest
06/14/2011
8:05:43 PM
Sender Customer Care
Subject re: RE: International transfers
Message
Dear Mr. Xxxx,
Thank you for contacting us today regarding transferring funds internationally.
We do apologize, as we do not offer the option to electronically transfer funds to another financial institution, domestic or internationally, via TD Bank Online.
Another option for access funds from your TD Bank while living abroad is via a cash advance using your TD Bank Visa Debit Card. Cash advances made outside the U.S. will be deducted from your primary checking account in U.S. dollars based on the currency exchange rate at the time the entry is processed.
There is a daily limit of $762.00 for ATM withdrawals and a daily limit of $5,000.00 for VISA check card purchases, $5,000.00 for cash advances and $2000.00 for Point of Sale transactions.
Delivering an exceptional experience is our number one priority at TD Bank. We do appreciate feedback such as yours in order to provide a comfortable banking experience for all of our customers.
If you have any further questions, please contact us via email or call 1-888-751-9000 to speak with a Customer Service Representative, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Regards,
Sharon
TD Bank On-Line
E-mail Specialist

So ATM’s I was thinking about 10k so it would take weeks!!!

Any thoughts?

Originally Posted by Bluegrass Lass

My husband attempted to open an HSBC passport account while he was still here in the US. The website said he had to wait 14 days for an answer. In the meantime, he landed in Scotland, went directly to Lloyd's and they opened him a Premier current account right away. About a week after he arrived in Scotland, he got a letter here in the US rejecting his account application saying his credit score wasn't high enough. So who knows why he was good enough for Lloyd's, but not HSBC.