UK bank account

[Jay&Jo 4]

I leave for the states in 2 weeks. just trying to decide on whether or not i should keep my uk HSBC bank account open. what are other peoples experiences... is it worth keeping it open at all??

my only thought is that in a few years down the road, i dont know where jay and i will be living, and if we wanted to live over here for a spell that might be nice to have an account still available instead of going through the hassle of opening a new account.

thoughts??

jo

[Lioncub4 4]

I leave for the states in 2 weeks. just trying to decide on whether or not i should keep my uk HSBC bank account open. what are other peoples experiences... is it worth keeping it open at all??

my only thought is that in a few years down the road, i dont know where jay and i will be living, and if we wanted to live over here for a spell that might be nice to have an account still available instead of going through the hassle of opening a new account.

thoughts??

jo

I am keeping my Bank of Scotland account open with just a small, nominal amount in it. If there is a chance you should ever return to the UK, it would indeed be a hassle to open a new account as banks tend to ask for proof of residency when a new account is opened. Also, HSBC do have branches in the US - have you discussed with them options for transferring your UK account to a US account? There is a fee for doing this if you are not a premium account holder.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

My husband has his UK bank account and credit card accounts too. He uses his Mum's address and manages things online. It's handy if he wants to buy gifts, he can use UK websites to order and ship to UK folks, charge in pounds, and pay the credit card bill from his UK bank account. There's been a couple of occasions that money was paid to him after he arrived in the US....tax refund, selling a car, etc...and his Mum could pay the money into his UK bank account.

[lovelyalex 99]

keep it open! mine has been used for christmas presents purchasing for my UK family! You never know when you might need it

[inhopeofglory 0]

Nich-Nick, did your husband let his bank and credit card companies know that he was moving away?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Nich-Nick, did your husband let his bank and credit card companies know that he was moving away?

No, they think his address is in Oxford as far as I know, the same as it's been for a number of years. He rented his Mum's bungalow while she lived on the Isle of Man. When he came to the US, she decided to move back so the place is still occupied by a family member who can receive mail that may come. I don't think he did any address change with the bank. He doesn't have alot of money in the account, but enough to buy gifts and such.

[Jay&Jo 4]

hmmm great points everyone! think i will keep it open its nice easy link to the uk, and will be nice to just use a cash machine for free when i come home to visit... instead of using our american cards and getting charged the earth!!