UK bank account

I need to sort out a bank acc and practically the best thing to do is do it in New Zealand. I see most NZ banks offer some sort of deal where they can open one for you, but can take a few weeks to process?

I fly over there in a few weeks so I want to get something sorted out sooner than later. Trouble is my passport is with the high commission processing my entry clearance which has been with them for 2.5 weeks now, is that going to be an issue as most banks request it.

I'd appreciate suggestions from people who have gone and done it all before.

Your best bet is to ask the banks directly.

Most of them will have their hands tied by red tape in the UK but it's worth a try.

I organised mine before I left for London but it was quite a few weeks processing time. can't remember if it was 4 or 6 weeks minimum. I think I did mine through Travelex? They will need your passport. maybe you could go there and ask if they have an urgent processing service and be prepared to pay an extra fee.

Walk over hot coals to get it sorted before you leave if you can, getting it done here is pants..a bit like English banks really!

i opened an offshore account with Lloyd's from NZ but I would advise you against doing that. it costs $100 + in processing fees, takes 4-6 weeks to be processed and once you finally get it you find out that the offshore account has much higher fees than a standard/classic account. i ended up closing my offshore account and opening a classic account within a couple of weeks of getting here, and the hassle of opening a classic account was not made any easier by me having an offshore account with the bank already, in fact it made no difference whatsoever.

i also suggest you avoid Lloyd's altogether. HSBC is much better and much more efficient I'm told.

I'm happy enough with HSBC, I organised my account before leaving through ASB and it meant I got an interest free (well for the first year) credit card which they don't offer on their standard Passport account (the one they put all the new arrivals on). Barclays seems okay as well but they have the most retarded internet banking system.

yo

go through 1st contact to get a hsbc bank acc - about $25 new zealand before you go, you do a halfday info thing when you get there and hsbc dont put you on starter accounts like other banks.
although dont let 1st contact do yuor accounts - they f**ked me over with that -

How did they fuck you over?

Who do you use now?