brits opening bank accounts in phil's

[nomorericepleas]

Hi, i guess someone has asked before about this, but i'm new and don't know how to search out such things here on this site, so pls forgive me for asking but, can i get advice on opening an account in the philippines? My fiancee and I wandered into a couple of banks and asked requirements for me to open, and it seems fairly tricky. I only really have a passport as picture id, and all id's over there seem to have a pic. I don't have a clue what alien certificate of registration is, or how to get one, i dont have any police clearance, or any other things that banks were asking for.
Basically i have a passport, drivers license with no pic and birth certificate with no pic. I can come up with a utility bill for my address in the UK if that helps too. Can people recommend a bank that has less demands for opening? Or just clarify exactly what i need to open an account there. Obviously lots of people have done it, so someone must be able to advise on this. thanks, look forward to handy replies as soon as possible.

[walesrob]

I've opened a "Classic" account at HSBC in Manila, no problem.

You will need 2 forms of ID, passport, driving licence, UK credit card, and an address in the Philippines that must have a landline installed, thats all.

Your statements, ATM (NOT debit) card and letters will be sent to your UK address, and they will send you a security device to access online banking.
There is a minimum "maintaining" balance of £50 on the standard Classic account.
If you already have an account at HSBC UK, this will speed things up a little if you choose HSBC in Philippines.
Best place to go to open an account is the Savings branch of HSBC in Makati, located at corner of Makati Avenue and Paseo de Roxas.

http://www.hsbc.com.ph/ph/personal/p...ic/classic.htm

[nomorericepleas]

I've opened a "Classic" account at HSBC in Manila, no problem.

You will need 2 forms of ID, passport, driving licence, UK credit card, and an address in the Philippines that must have a landline installed, thats all.

Your statements, ATM (NOT debit) card and letters will be sent to your UK address, and they will send you a security device to access online banking.
There is a minimum "maintaining" balance of £50 on the standard Classic account.
If you already have an account at HSBC UK, this will speed things up a little if you choose HSBC in Philippines.
Best place to go to open an account is the Savings branch of HSBC in Makati, located at corner of Makati Avenue and Paseo de Roxas.

http://www.hsbc.com.ph/ph/personal/p...ic/classic.htm

big thanks rob, yes i had considered HSBC and presumed it might help to have an account here first. Don't have time to arrange that this time, but maybe later unless someone else can come up with a better idea. The philippines address with landline would be a stumbling block at the moment. So i guess i need my name on a utility bill of my philippine residence? ok i can sort that, i'm not sure what the landline situation is like in my part of negros.

[walesrob]

The philippines address with landline would be a stumbling block at the moment. So i guess i need my name on a utility bill of my philippine residence?

No, not at all, I used Elsa's auntie's address in Quezon City. Basically all they want is a Philippines address with a landline and your UK address. Thats all. As for having an HSBC UK account, its not necessary, but it makes life easier as HSBC divisions all over the world share data.

[nomorericepleas]

No, not at all, I used Elsa's auntie's address in Quezon City. Basically all they want is a Philippines address with a landline and your UK address. Thats all. As for having an HSBC UK account, its not necessary, but it makes life easier as HSBC divisions all over the world share data.

Ok thanks a lot. i don't know of any other address nearby that has a landline that we can use, so i guess we just have to get one installed, but the one problem with your plan is i rarely go to manila, so i was hoping for info relating to a philippine bank, as thats all there seems to be in negros. I may be wrong but i don't remember seeing HSBC in dumaguete.

[walesrob]

http://www.hsbc.com.ph/ph/personal/p...il/contact.htm

List of branches nationwide.

[nomorericepleas]

http://www.hsbc.com.ph/ph/personal/p...il/contact.htm

List of branches nationwide.

cheers again