Help regarding closing UK bank account and opening one in US

[Meg and Grae 1]

Hey guys,

Ive banked with the HSBC,here in the UK for about seven years now.I asked them if i could close my UK account and reopen one (with the HSBC) in the US for when I move there.They said it takes four weeks and that they could have one set up for me no problem.

My understanding is that you cant open a bank account in the US until you are in posession of a social security number,which takes a while to get.So if thats the case what am I to do with my account?.I dont want to go and leave my UK account open in the UK.What do you do,carry your entire savings over to the US in your pockets?.

Can anyone shed some light on this?.

Thanks

Grae

Edited March 13, 2008 by Meg and Grae

[gwenneh 7]

The SSN thing is not necessarily true. Bank of america was able to open an account for my husband without one; there are ways around it in the banking system.

[tomsandi 0]

I also opened a bank account without a social security number while doing a one-year exchange program in Boston. They wanted to see my passport with the J-1 visa inside before opening the account. The bank was Fleet, but I believe they were bought shortly after I left by Bank of America.

[RosemarieL 0]

I couldn't open an account with LaSalle until I had a social security number. Since you bank with HSBC can't you leave your existing account open until they get your new US account open and then let them transfer your funds internally. It would be worth checking whether they would charge any extra for that.

I have left my existing UK account open and notified them of my new address. I have been transferring money to my joint US bank account using InterchangeFX. The UK bank will allow transfers of up to £10,000 per week, larger amounts only if you are physically present to sign for the transfer, and InterchangeFX give pretty good exchange rates.

[SMB x2 0]

My understanding is that you cant open a bank account in the US until you are in posession of a social security number,which takes a while to get.

I was able to make joint savings and current accounts with Shan at Wells Fargo, although she already had her own account with them. All they wanted was my passport and a card of some sort (gave them my Barclaycard) as ID.

Stu

[LeahJane 0]

I opened a bank account with Fifth Third in Ohio without a SSN. I showed them my Visa and they were able to process it without the SSN but asked me to provide it when it arrived. I finally got mine the other day so just need to advise the bank. If you log into internet banking you just need to put in your card number rather than your SSN to log in (same goes for making calls to the bank).

As far as taking your money from the UK to the US. I transfered mine to my partners US account. To do this you need to physically go into your bank (you will need the bank you are transferring to account no, IBAN no. etc). Call your bank and ask them exactly what they need to bring in to make the transaction. Fill the form in, pay a fee (mine was about £20 regardless of how much you are moving - receiving fee was about the same my partners end but it varies from bank to bank) and your money can be moved. Think it took a couple of working days certainly no more than five.

I would advise keeping your UK bank account open (even with just a small amount in incase you decide to move back with your partner or if you want to visit the UK you already have an account). Most UK banks will accept an international address so I get info sent to me in the US.

Although HSBC have branches worldwide they are NOT linked in regards to if you have a UK account you still need to apply the same way for a US one.

Hope this helps.

Hey guys,

Ive banked with the HSBC,here in the UK for about seven years now.I asked them if i could close my UK account and reopen one (with the HSBC) in the US for when I move there.They said it takes four weeks and that they could have one set up for me no problem.

My understanding is that you cant open a bank account in the US until you are in posession of a social security number,which takes a while to get.So if thats the case what am I to do with my account?.I dont want to go and leave my UK account open in the UK.What do you do,carry your entire savings over to the US in your pockets?.

Can anyone shed some light on this?.

Thanks

Grae

[reeses16 8]

Hi, I know this post it old. But I wanted to suggest that you leave your UK account open until everything is all set up for you in the US. Log on to your UK account, change your address to the US one (if you can). Then call HSBC UK and tell them you want to cancel your account. They should confirm your mailing address and give you a fax number and ask you to send a written request and copy of a photo ID. I recently closed my HSBC account and this was the process. Within a week I had a check for the remaining balance in my account and a letter stating that my account was closed.