advise needed re banks

[Mrs.JMajor]

HSBC Passport Bank Account is a service designed for anyone moving to the UK or recently settled in the country. HSBC Passport has an initial fixed term of 12 months and is renewable monthly afterwards. HSBC Passport has a £6 per month fee.
After 12 months you'll have the option to stay with HSBC Passport.

after 12 months they will find you the right account for you,I just put like this...banks required ID's but since we just arrived in the country,we cant show any,and the one we had,isn't acceptable....so I am sure after a year or 12 months,well I had my ID's and everything...that is the time you can choose which bank you like...its just like stepping stone IMO and I just reply on this thread for what I had done in my experience (wink)

[Pepe n Pilar]

after 12 months they will find you the right account for you,I just put like this...banks required ID's but since we just arrived in the country,we cant show any,and the one we had,isn't acceptable....so I am sure after a year or 12 months,well I had my ID's and everything...that is the time you can choose which bank you like...its just like stepping stone IMO and I just reply on this thread for what I had done in my experience (wink)

I understand what you mean MrsMajor. That's the reason why the existing acct was converted into a joint acct first which i waited for the utility bills to have my name on it or else i will have this kind of account which i don't agree on the terms and conditions. I don't want to pay fees of £72/year.
So you have to wait for 12 months before you can choose what type of acct you like?! but if u waited for the addition on your name to the bills it won't take you that long. And once a joint acct is establised you can now open your own savings account or whatever type of acct you may wish to.
Yea it's like a stepping stone.

Cheers!

[Pepe n Pilar]

Yes HSBC Passport Account is good for those new comers especially for those students that in whatsover will have no chance to get their names on a utility bills.
I know Alliance & Leicester accept only 2 valid ID`s and proof of address, the husband can ask to put wife or Fiancee`s name on their Council Tax Bill Statement and other utility bills.
But IMHO I think its still best to open joint account first like Ms. Iye and Aromolous mentioned above. I think that is a good start for newly husband and wife. Then later on the wife can open her own personal account when the first account established and she eventually got all the requirements to open her own account.

Yes you're right Potpot143. So back to square one. One has to have her name added first to some if not all the utility bills, and councit tax etc ( did i forget something?)before wife's or fiancee's name can be a joint acct holder of the existing husbands/fiance's acct. and/or open a personal acct of her own.