UK current account: HSBC vs HMRC statement as proof of address

[Gambatte 972]

As Barclays closed my UK current account, I'm now trying to open one with HSBC, apparently the only (or one of the few?) UK bank still giving current accounts to non resident. I do have an up-and-running Wise account, though Wise is not a bank, having a real bank account is preferable.
Of course HSBC asks proof of identity and proof of address. I spoke with them at the phone and I was told HMRC statement counts as proof of address. But going through their online form, it seems only utility bills as gas, electric, water, tv do.
So I uploaded my docs, including the HMRC statement, and I said this is an electricity bill. Of course HMRC is not electricity, but I was forced to select between electric, gas, water, tv. Hopefully a person will notice it, realize the mess, and accept it.

Anyone has relevant experience and can comment?

[Gambatte 972]

Just found this on their website: they claim that they DO accept HMRC statement as proof of address.
https://www.hsbc.co.uk/help/banking-made-easy/help-us-identify-you/
I would add a screenshot but it seems I can't, pity

Annoying then that when going through the process it seemed they actually insist on gas electric water TV only.

Or can I send them my German utility bills? Of course I would have to go through the hassle of having them translated...

[fraufruit 42,496]

It's the billing address that they're after and seems it must be in UK.

[Gambatte 972]

Thanks but no, they're after "proof of residence", and somewhere they say HMRC statement is ok for proof of residence, but somewhere else they say is not, that's why the confusion,

[fraufruit 42,496]

Do you have a statement from HMRC with a UK address?

I recently had to produce one for proof of address for something else.

Proof of address is for proving where you reside as far as I know.

[emkay 10,320]

I opened my HSBC UK current account a few months ago. Assuming their proof of residence process is the same….I submitted my HMRC latest document that shows my DE address. Plus an energy bill and Gemeinde bill addressed to ‘ Eheleute Kay’. I just wrote on the bill that this means Mr & Mrs. The addresses match my German ID card address. I’m not sure if it was HSBC that asked for documents less than 3 months old.

@Gambatte, you mentioned that you also have a Wise.com account. Have you also recently been asked for further proof of identity? I’ve had messages that if this isn’t done by 6th June, the Wise account may be suspended. Best to log into your account to check if you have the notification. They also require similar documentation.

[Gambatte 972]

@FrauFruit
I'm resident in Germany. So all my correspondence with HMRC, the UK taxman, has my German address, is the only address I have.
And HSBC is apparently fine opening opening me, Germany resident, a UK account. Just following their rules there's confusion on what qualifies as proof of address. Somewhere they say only gas, electric, water bill, and nothing else. Somewhere else they say HMRC counts too. Inconsistent.

@emkay
Great. You did exactly what I'm going to do. Did you do it online or via post? If online, with their HooYu identification system?
BTW it's 4 months, not 3. Good because my HMRC is well over 3 months (almost over 4 months too😬, must hurry).
I've been with Wise maybe a month only. Didn't get any recent message from them.

[emkay 10,320]

@gambatte, I think I posted copies to them rather than online submission. They sent me a pre paid envelope. It took a couple of weeks and was a bit awkward initially to gain online access though their helpline was quite efficient. Thereafter, the app is super easy to use with a DE. mobile phone for authorisation codes.

Just to add, I’ve managed to open a Barclays.de Tagesgeld account quite easily. After a few days of the video-ident process, I got confirmation of my account. Just now need to figure out online access.

[fraufruit 42,496]

Glad to see you are getting some good advice here.

I truly feel for all of you with your UK bank accounts. I may be facing something similar one day.

[Gambatte 972]

I just received an SMS from HSBC, they say they're looking at the documents I uploaded 2 days ago (photo of passport, for identity, and HMRC statement, for address) and they'll be in touch soon.
Promising.

[Gambatte 972]

Just got a welcoming email from HSBC.😊😊😊
About using their app: will it let me in and do all even from my German smartphone? (Barclays' did not, insisted on having a UK number)

[emkay 10,320]

@gambatte. Glad the HSBC account worked out for you. I found all DDs easy to change except the HMRC additional voluntary pension contributions. I think you mentioned this elsewhere? Although they said they’d cancel DD collection and then send me an annual bill, they have continued to collect DDs from my nearly defunct Barclays account. HMRC have since sent me 2 letters regarding my contributions. One says I have only one more year to pay, another says 3 more years. A a task to tackle soon. Meanwhile, I’ve just left enough in my Barclays account to cover DDs until they close my account. Just also had a random dividend payment of a pound and need to change that too.

[AdHa 55]

@gambatte - Is it a normal current account or an offshore account?

[Gambatte 972]

@AdHa
it is a normal account.

[kiplette 8,795]

@gambatte, so glad you have finally had some erfolg in opening a functioning HSBC account.

@emkay, is the new account OK for Premium Bonds or are they still with Barclays until it dies?

So far, having changed our address to a German one last year, we've still not had the closure letter. An oversight, I assume. Not expecting to survive the cull.

[emkay 10,320]

@kiplette, since opening my UK HSBC account I’ve just won £25 on premium bonds. I went through the whole faff of NS&I online registration and set the HSBC account as PB win direct receiving account. We’ll see if that works out. With HSBC though, cheques can be paid in digitally. I probably won’t need it though for a technical dinosaur like me, it would be great if it worked easily. Spent the last 10 years posting premium bond cheques back to the UK, some have gone missing though they do reissue.

I have to say, the UK HSBC account is really easy to use. Especially the app and that a DE mobile number can be used for tan numbers. Barclays only accepted UK mobile numbers for their app.

Just had another letter from Barclays that I have to close my account by November. I’ve almost changed all DDs etc so should be cleared by then.

[kiplette 8,795]

Well that's all worked out great and I'm so glad.

edit 👍🤩😺👩‍💼