Hi EMFH,

So the point here is the employer reference is enough for opening a current account. I dont have a job, so as of now I will go for a normal account. I will check out with A & L once I get a job regd the current accout.Thanks for your input.

Regards,

Jimmy

Hi Jim,

I worked for a company where we had a lot of foreign students coming over for short periods of time and the bank asked me to provide a letter, this could be a contract of employment or offer letter and a payslip if you are working.

Our students used to open their account with HSBC but Barclays and Lloyds TSB will probably be ok.

My current account is with Alliance and Leciester and they offer a good interest rate and other benefits. Halifax have a Reward Account too which is good but both require you to pay in a minimum amount each month. I'd go for A&L if I were you.

Hope it works out for you.

Hi ATM,

Thanks for your response, your suggestion makes sense to me. I will start with a basic account.

Regards,

Jim

Hi Jim

Regarding opening the account and proof of id/address have alook at this web page from FSA, could be worth printing it off and bringing with you to show the bank in case you have any trouble using alternative types of documentation.

http://www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk/products/bank_accounts/opening_an_account.html

I would think that a basic account that has been run satisfactorily for a year or more should help with your credit history eventually as you should then be able to take some sort of credit card out. It is the proof that you have made payments on time and can handle your credit that actually boosts your credit score, not the fact that you have never needed to borrow money.

You should speak to the banks yourself and see if they offer exactly what you need if you are opening a basic account, as facilities are limited with most of these.

Hello,

I am in the UK for the past two weeks only. I need to start an account here and I am looking out for options. Please help me by answering my questions

1) Do you recommend me to start a current account?I am not much worried about overdraft facility, but would like to build up a credit history.Can a basic account build up the credit history?

2)Currently I am staying in a shared accomodation,so I cannot show any address proof.However, I have the NI letter with me.Will that be sufficient?

3)Considering the previuos two questions, which Bank and Account type you can recommend?

Thanks in Advance,

Jim