MrZM Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 We have only recently arrived. It would make my life a lot easier if my wife had a bank account. Please from experience can you explain. At the moment the only letter she has with the home address is a letter from the NHS. So I've been told this is not suffice Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAZ3 Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Try Metrobank,their requirements are on their website. Also no ATM fee anywhere in the world,and prefect Mastercard exchange rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stanaris Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Try the bank that you use yourself first. I use HSBC and when my wife arrived here 3 years ago only had her passport but they gave her a cash card initially and now she has a debit card. I am sure there are other banks that will help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kunash Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 try and put your wife's name on a utility bill if you can. that will help. then ask the company to send out a new bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilbs Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Get her put on the council tax bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7by7 Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Even following the suggestions above may not suffice as some banks will not open an account for an adult who does not have a traceable credit history. You'll need to shop around, or do as we did which is open an account in our joint names for my wife to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumpole Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Try this one: http://www.mycashplus.co.uk/products/current-account.aspx No credit checks and no proof of address required until you want to upgrade from the basic level to "Total Access". Their cards function like a basic bank account, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markie53 Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Try the bank that you use yourself first. I use HSBC and when my wife arrived here 3 years ago only had her passport but they gave her a cash card initially and now she has a debit card. I am sure there are other banks that will help Same for my wife 2 years ago. HSBC asked for a council tax bill which was in joint names, passport and all was very straight forward. Just over a year later her standard ATM card was changed to a debit card. I must add that I put £200 in her account and left it there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maybole Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Try the local Post Office Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10120 Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 (edited) No. Must apply for NI number for Thai wife. This, amazingly, means physically going to a Jobcentre, then being given a tel number to call a jobcentre call centre oop north (from within the jobcentre!). They then send you a pre-printed doc, You send copies of wife's spouse visa, passport ID page and they generate a LETTER containing the new NI number. There is NO NI CARD ANYMORE This letter obviously shows yours/her home address. This is sufficient with ALL UK banks to open a bank account. Edited September 17, 2013 by 10120 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KhunDave Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 Mrs KD opened a Barclays Cashcard account about two months after we arrived. All that was needed was passport with settlement visa and a council tax bill with her name on it. It comes with a Visa debit card. After holding this account for six months she was also offered a Visa credit card with a 400 quid credit limit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7by7 Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 10120,You do not need to have a NI number in order to open a bank account; although some banks may require this of new adult customers.Applicants do not attend a Jobcentre to apply, they apply via phone or online.They may need to attend an identity interview, though.See Applying for a National Insurance number. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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