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How to open a bank account in the UK?

Currently, opening a bank account in the UK can be done partly online and partly in-person. The specific requirements vary for each bank, so it is advisable to refer to the official requirements of each bank.

First, let's have an overview of the banks available in the UK. Here are some of the banks currently operating in the UK:

 

RBS

Founded in 1727 in Edinburgh, the Royal Bank of Scotland is also the largest banking and financial institution in Scotland. Its headquarters are located in Edinburgh, Scotland.

link：http://personal.rbs.co.uk

Find the nearest branch of this bank to your location.

：http://locator-rbs.co.uk

Natwest

Natwest, which became part of RBS in 2000, was established in 1968 through the merger of National Provincial Bank and Westminster Bank. Its full name is National Westminster Bank, and it primarily serves the England region. The headquarters are located in London.

link：http://personal.natwest.com

Find the nearest branch of this bank to your location.：http://locator.natwest.com

Bank of Scotland

Lloyds subsidiary bank, headquartered in Edinburgh, is one of the most common banks in Scotland. It was established in 1695.

link：http://www.bankofscotland.co.uk

Find the nearest branch of this bank to your location.

：http://www.bankofscotland.co.uk/branchfinder/search.asp

HSBC

HSBC, short for "The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited," was founded in Hong Kong in 1865. It is one of the largest banks globally and specializes in multinational financial services. Its headquarters are located in London.

link：https://www.hsbc.co.uk

Find the nearest branch of this bank to your location.

：https://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2//contact-and-support/branch-locator

Lloyds

Established in 1765 in Birmingham, United Kingdom, this bank has branches in both England and Wales. The bank is well-known for its logo featuring a black horse.

link：https://www.lloydsbank.com

Find the nearest branch of this bank to your location.

：https://www.lloydsbank.com/branch-locator/search.asp?WT.ac=Header/Navigation/Findabranch

TSB

TSB and Lloyds were once part of the same bank known as Lloyds TSB. In 2013, they separated and became two independent banks. TSB's headquarters are located in Edinburgh, Scotland.

link：http://www.tsb.co.uk

Find the nearest branch of this bank to your location.

：http://www.tsb.co.uk/branch-locator/

Barclays

Barclays is the oldest bank in the United Kingdom, established in 1690. Its headquarters are located in London, and it has branches in major cities across the country.

link：http://www.barclays.co.uk/PersonalBanking

Find the nearest branch of this bank to your location.

：http://ask.barclays.co.uk/branchfinder

Santander

Santander UK is the British division of the Spanish Santander Group. It was established in 2010, and its headquarters are located in London.

link：http://www.santander.co.uk/uk/index

Find the nearest branch of this bank to your location.

：

http://www.santander.co.uk/csgs/Satellite?pagename=BuscadorOficinas/Page/BOF_FrontEnd&empr=UKSantander&leng=en_GB

Halifax

A subsidiary of Lloyds, this bank is a branch of Bank of Scotland. It was established in 1853 and is headquartered in West Yorkshire, England. It is the largest bank in the UK that provides mortgage loans and savings accounts.

 

link：http://www.halifax.co.uk

Find the nearest branch of this bank to your location.：http://www.halifax.co.uk/branchfinder/search.asp

So how do you open a bank account in the UK?

Firstly, you need to consider the following factors when choosing which UK bank to open an account with:

1. Proximity of the bank's physical branches to your location.

2. Whether the account opening process is free or if there are any      management fees associated with the account in the future.

3. Whether the bank allows international remittances and offers      online features for international transfers, including mobile banking,      password devices, etc.

 

Ten Reminders from Meow:

 

Generally, many banks in the UK provide two types of bank accounts, which differ from having only one bank card in China. The UK bank accounts are divided into a Current Account for daily expenses such as shopping, online payments, and ATM withdrawals (it has a three-digit number at the back, which you should not disclose to anyone as it can be used for online payments without requiring a password), and a Saving Account specifically for saving money. If you want to use the money in your Saving Account, you need to transfer it to your Current Account first.

 

When opening a bank account, the bank will inform you about the necessary information, such as IBAN and SWIFT numbers, for transferring money from China to your UK account.

 

Once you have decided on the bank where you want to open an account, make sure to bring your student identification letter, passport, and BRP (Biometric Residence Permit). Schedule an appointment with the bank either through their website or by phone. If online account opening is available, you can complete the process on the bank's official website. If it requires an in-person visit, they will provide you with a time slot for opening the account. When making the appointment, remember to ask what documents you need to bring, typically including your passport, student letter (or employment letter), proof of address such as your accommodation contract or valid utility bill, and BRP.

 

On the day of in-person account opening, the bank will assist you in filling out the necessary forms and ask what type of account you want. They will also prompt you to set a password for online banking, which usually consists of a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, along with numbers. After the successful account application, the bank will mail you a bank letter to the address you provided during the application process. The envelope will contain your bank card and its PIN (the PIN is a separate password from the one you use for online banking and is typically a 4-digit code used for withdrawals and transactions). Once you receive the bank letter, follow the instructions provided to activate your bank account.

How to use a UK bank card for transfers?

Within the UK:

Transferring money between UK bank cards is very convenient, similar to domestic transfers in China. Once you have the following information of the recipient's account, you can log in to your mobile or online banking to initiate the transfer. Normally, the recipient will provide you with a photo of their card:

1. Recipient's name, which should match the name on the bank card      (some bank cards may only have one letter for Chinese names, not the full      name).

2. Six-digit sort code, usually located at the bottom left of the      bank card in the format xx-xx-xx.

3. Bank account number, a long string of numbers.

4. Payment reference, which allows the recipient to know that the      money is from you. You can write the purpose of the transfer.

5. In some cases, for international transfers, you may need to      provide the recipient bank's full name and address, although this is less      common.

From China to the UK:

If your family members want to send you money from a Chinese bank, they will need the following information about your UK bank account:

1. Your name, which should match the name on your bank card (some      bank cards may only have one letter for Chinese names, not the full name).

2. The full name of your UK bank and its address.

3. Your bank account number.

4. IBAN and BIC/SWIFT numbers. These numbers are used to identify      the specific bank and account when transferring money internationally. You      can find the IBAN on your bank statement, and the SWIFT number can be      obtained by logging into the bank's official website. If you're unsure,      you can contact your bank or call their customer service.

Meow's Reminders:

1. When opening an account, make sure the bank provides you with      an international bank account with IBAN and BIC/SWIFT numbers, which makes      it easier for people in China to send you money.

2. During the account opening process, ask the bank about the      procedures for handling your account if you graduate and return to your      home country. Find out if you need to close the account or what happens if      you don't close it.

3. Whenever you change your address or contact information,      remember to update the bank with the new information. Banks rely on      sending letters to communicate with you.

4. Be cautious if someone claiming to be from the bank or any      other person calls you and asks for your password. Legitimate calls from      the bank will not ask for your password. If someone asks for other      personal information, consider if they notified you in advance about a call      or be skeptical and ask them questions instead. Do not casually disclose      personal information such as your address, name, or passport number.

5. When choosing bank statements, it is recommended to opt for      electronic versions to avoid receiving paper statements in the mail. This      is both convenient and environmentally friendly. Typically, paper      statements are only required for certain applications such as UK visas,      visa renewals, or Schengen visas. If needed, you will have to obtain a      stamped paper statement from the bank. Choosing electronic statements is a      simple action that contributes to a greener Earth.

6. When making online purchases, including phone bills and gym      fees, pay attention to checkboxes and text. Make sure you do not      inadvertently select options that bind your bank card for automatic      monthly deductions, such as utility bills. Avoid opting for automatic      deductions, as some online traps can automatically bind you to monthly      payments. To cancel such deductions, you'll need to contact your bank.

7. UK bank cards have an expiration date. Once expired, they      cannot be used. It is important to contact your bank a few months before      the expiry date and request them to mail you a new card. During this time,      the card's password might also change. Refer to the instructions provided      in the bank's letter.

For example, after my bank card expired for the first time, I requested the bank to mail me a new card. When I tried to withdraw money, my original password didn't work. It was only after I found the bank's letter that I realized the password had been changed.

Then, when my bank card expired for the second time, I was in China and provided a Chinese address for the card to be mailed to. Unfortunately, the bank card got lost in the mail because UK banks typically use their designated mailing service and don't offer alternative courier options. The likelihood of bank letters being lost when mailed from the UK to China is around 99.999%. Therefore, it's best to provide a UK address for mailing purposes.