HSBC bank account
#31
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,834
Re: HSBC bank account
50k in sterling in the UK, or 100k in dollars in the US. They opened us UK accounts too (even though we actually lived in Switzerland at the time) so we could choose where to hold the balance and in what currency in order to qualify for the Premier account. There was even some talk of opening us an account in Singapore so we could continue to hold Swiss francs (neither the UK or US HSBC can provide that), but by then I was already having quite enough kittens about FBAR as it was.
(because my daughter insisted I add a smiley of some sort)
(because my daughter insisted I add a smiley of some sort)
#32
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: Groton MA
Posts: 28
Re: HSBC bank account
Once again thanks for all the feedback, feel reasonably positive that using HSBC is the way to go. As I am not HSBC Premier I'll report back on how it goes and what benefits it brings over opening a new account in the US.
Thanks also to those who veered into car insurance, this will be my next challenge. Current thoughts are to investigate AutoSource, who claim to handle ex-pat insurance at a reasonable cost, for our main family car, I'll then cut my teeth on the real wheeling dealing on a second smaller car. But that's really a topic for another thread...
Thanks
Steve
Thanks also to those who veered into car insurance, this will be my next challenge. Current thoughts are to investigate AutoSource, who claim to handle ex-pat insurance at a reasonable cost, for our main family car, I'll then cut my teeth on the real wheeling dealing on a second smaller car. But that's really a topic for another thread...
Thanks
Steve
#33
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,759
Re: HSBC bank account
Once again thanks for all the feedback, feel reasonably positive that using HSBC is the way to go. As I am not HSBC Premier I'll report back on how it goes and what benefits it brings over opening a new account in the US.
Thanks also to those who veered into car insurance, this will be my next challenge. Current thoughts are to investigate AutoSource, who claim to handle ex-pat insurance at a reasonable cost, for our main family car, I'll then cut my teeth on the real wheeling dealing on a second smaller car. But that's really a topic for another thread...
Thanks
Steve
Thanks also to those who veered into car insurance, this will be my next challenge. Current thoughts are to investigate AutoSource, who claim to handle ex-pat insurance at a reasonable cost, for our main family car, I'll then cut my teeth on the real wheeling dealing on a second smaller car. But that's really a topic for another thread...
Thanks
Steve
#35
Re: HSBC bank account
I've just been through the application process with HSBC (I was a First Direct customer with a significant balance - but they still want to charge £100)
The forms have been filled in and we are due to go into our local HSBC branch to hand them in, but the detail of ID they need is just a nightmare.
OK to Driving license and to Passport, but you cant just take any utility bill in, the bills have to have your FULL NAME on them. Now that sounds obvious, but I have been through every one of ours and they all use our initials rather than our full names.
HSBC say... tough.
I guess we'll be opening a Citizens account when we arrive...
The forms have been filled in and we are due to go into our local HSBC branch to hand them in, but the detail of ID they need is just a nightmare.
OK to Driving license and to Passport, but you cant just take any utility bill in, the bills have to have your FULL NAME on them. Now that sounds obvious, but I have been through every one of ours and they all use our initials rather than our full names.
HSBC say... tough.
I guess we'll be opening a Citizens account when we arrive...
#36
Re: HSBC bank account
I opened an account with TD Bank when I got here - just needed my passport. Got a debit card and cheques straight away.
#37
Re: HSBC bank account
Thats what I intend to do. I really wanted to bank with Citizens anyway as they seem to have branches everywhere in Boston.
#38
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: Groton MA
Posts: 28
Re: HSBC bank account
As a follow-up to my original post - I was able to get upgraded to premier so the help I've received from both my UK and US account managers has been terrific and made the whole process as smooth as it could be given the huge volume of paperwork involved.
Steve
#39
Re: HSBC bank account
So do BoA and TD....but probably better off using a local credit union for every day stuff as they tend to be better for new arrivals.
#43
Re: HSBC bank account
I've read through this thread but I've got questions about starting up an HSBC account. If I was to open an American HSBC account, would I be able to transfer money between my UK HSBC account for free like if it was UK to UK?
Also there seems to be a lot of account types like expat ones, international ones etc, is there a standard one just like in the UK? I won't be putting anywhere near $100000 in it, I'll be lucky if it ever gets to $1000.
I have an account at the local credit union but they dont do international transfers at all so thats why I want something else instead of paying each time I use xoom
Also there seems to be a lot of account types like expat ones, international ones etc, is there a standard one just like in the UK? I won't be putting anywhere near $100000 in it, I'll be lucky if it ever gets to $1000.
I have an account at the local credit union but they dont do international transfers at all so thats why I want something else instead of paying each time I use xoom
#45
Re: HSBC bank account
I had problems with XE.com when trying to set it up. Xoom worked though and worked again yesterday