UK banks closing accounts for no-residents
 

My UK bank, Lloyds, has said it will be closing my current account as I am not a UK resident. The main issue is all my pensions etc are paid into that account as are some DDs for various things in the UK and as I pay UK tax on my Civil Service pension I did not want to change if possible. It seems most UK banks are doing the same - so what ae other people doing? - And is on line banking an option? or are there any banks in the UK that offer current accounts for non- residents? I tried contacting HSBC but their own staff could not tell me although on their website they indicate they do!! Anyone know any better?

Re: UK banks closing accounts for no-residents
 

I changed to HSBC a while back due to this problem with Barclays. I managed to set up my HSBC Account online it took a while as once accepted to apply they use mail to carry out security checks etc. Certainly doable and they send everything to your Spanish address. I have had no issues whatsoever using them since.

Re: UK banks closing accounts for non-residents
 

Many thanks for that - I will have to give that a whirl - if it works then that will be a very good solution for me.

Re: UK banks closing accounts for no-residents
 

I havent been able to open an HSBC account. Their helpline is terrible. You wait 30minutes and then you get connected to a call centre in Calcutta and they invent some reason why there is a delay in opening the account. Each time you call the reason is different.

Re: UK banks closing accounts for no-residents
 

I am disappointed this has come up again - it seemed that this was sorted out months ago with some banks including Lloyds deciding to keep going in Spain - I am with them but heard nothing so far - guess my letter is in the post.

I will probably switch everything to Wise who I am already set up with....

Re: UK banks closing accounts for no-residents
 

Wise is not always accepted because it is not a registered UK bank even though it provides a UK sort code and account number.

Re: UK banks closing accounts for no-residents
 

I have not yet received a personal not saying my account will be closed BUT did get a message in the message area about changes of terms and conditions in which they seems to be saying they will be closing all non-resident accounts! Maybe (I really hope so) Spain is not included!!!! I too have been considering using Wise as I already transfer my money using them.

Re: UK banks closing accounts for no-residents
 

Ah - Joddle, so your latest post changes everything - as it has not actually happened.

Sept 2020:-
'Lloyds Bank confirmed to The Sunday Times that it will be withdrawing services from Holland, Slovakia, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Portugal – a move that will affect 13,000 British customers.' https://lifestylegroup.es/uk-banks-c...s-brits-spain/

Just checked nothing in my message area.

and Philat98 - 'Wise is not always accepted...' not accepted by whom?

Re: UK banks closing accounts for no-residents
 

In my message area it says
"EU Exit • If you are no longer a UK resident, we may have to close your account or offer a different level of service and have updated our conditions to reflect this. • We've removed reference to the European Online Dispute Resolution Platform to reflect that the UK is no longer part of the EU"

Re: UK banks closing accounts for no-residents
 

OK I do not seem to have that. Worrying....

Re: UK banks closing accounts for no-residents
 

There were times I had to speak with the HSBC Help Desk which I assumed was in India, sometimes there was a bit of a wait but were helpful enough . I don't think it took me more than 6 weeks from starting to having the account. I can only describe my experience

Re: UK banks closing accounts for no-residents
 

And the message is dated 10 August 2022 and is headed "We’re making some changes to our Terms and Conditions" then it states "The changes take effect on 1 November 2022"

Re: UK banks closing accounts for no-residents
 

Their last message to me was June 8th...so maybe I am exempt - a very important client hahahahaha

Re: UK banks closing accounts for no-residents
 

You won't be exempt as its to do with licences to carry out banking in the EU rather than the individual and down to your registered and legal address.

Re: UK banks closing accounts for no-residents
 

I was kinda joking.....