FWIW, it's the norm in Ireland and many other European countries as well. The UK is quite unique in this respect.

Hence why I prefaced the bit you bolded with "To most people from the UK" and not "Europe".

I know -- I just mentioned Europe because the guy whose post you quoted believes that
"the banks here in the US are about 25 years behind Europe" (which couldn't be further from the truth.)

There are alot of banks that don't charge for checks - Guranty bank in Wisconsin for example..

but I too need to find a national bank that does free banking and doesn't look blank when you mention the 'alien' world (where the aliens come from )

When I first moved here, I opened an account at the old Midland Bank (now HSBC) for my meagre wages earned at one of the exam bodies which produces and marks A-level and GSCE exams. I very proudly brought in my first cheque for deposit, and asked to draw £30 off it immediately, as I was used to doing through my old US bank (the Old Saybrook Bank & Trust) for years before. I was flatly told "no". Why not? I asked. The company I work for has given me a cheque written from an account held right here at the Russell Square Midland Bank! No, it takes 5 days to clear a cheque. Can't you check their balance and see if they're good for it? (And, thought but not said, WTF is wrong with you people???)

I lost it, collapsed in floods of tears (I was 22, people, and very homesick and alone!) and explained that I had no cash to get me through the next week, just my credit card which I was already close to maxing out. Stony silence, then I was told that this was not America, there were very good reasons for the rule (yeah, like making money off of accountholders!) and that it was hard to believe that American banks would trust their accountholders enough to give them anything before a cheque had officially cleared. Oh, and that I should stop crying, it was embarrassing!

Why I ever, EVER stuck with Midland/HSBC through the years is a mystery to me!

HSBC did used to have some pretty piss-poor customer service. I had to fight just to get a functioning Switch debit card out of them (note - not credit card), despite the fact that I paid a monthly wage into the account and had never gone overdrawn. On the same account, I also tried to get an overdraft (again, while I was paying in a wage) of £100, and I failed their credit check!

It was therefore a pleasure to close my HSBC account about two weeks ago!

NatWest, however, have been fine. They've given me credit cards and a whopping great overdraft (which I'd rather not use!!). In fact the only thing they've been useless at is giving me a reference letter to use in my interview - you know the one that shows your current balance, etc.

Wierd, I wonder if you marked some of my papers..?



Yes, this sort of behaviour is bizzare. I've never understood how I can pay in a cheque from an account held at the very same bank and it still take so long to process. I mean, they put it through the whizzy thing right then and there while you're standing at the desk!

Checks are not cleared at a local level in the banks.... the check info has to clear the check clearing center and it does take 2 - 5 days... most UK banks do have the ability to clear a check in 1 day and most/all charge the customer to do this...

Kez

Blah blah - must read post in future - please ignore.

I find this quite surprising as well, but its really nice. One thing I do know however is that as soon as you start depositing bad checks and withdrawing from that, the bank very quickly takes away this privilege. Not that that has happened to me, just to some dodgy mates of mine!

so washington mutual's looking like one of the better ones..

(must remember)

hmm, I use paypal to transfer money between my SO's US bank account and my canadian bank..

No fees if the amount is under $blah blah.. (think it's like 1500 but I'm not sure)
takes a few days to go thru and then yay, magic money!

Britty, have you looked at HSBC? They have a branch in DC and one in Tyson's Corner. They have set up our accounts so we can transfer money between our US and UK current accounts. We have enough money stashed with HSBC so that we are 'Premier' members and are waived a lot of fees, but at least in the UK you are offered the 'Premier' service if you take out your mortgage with them. Personally, the UK side has been impressive than the US side, but all-in-all I have been very satisfied with HSBC. Let me know if you have any questions on this. Cheers, Ed.