UK Banking

[NakaNaka]

I called up Citibank UK because I'm going to be studying in London for a year, and they said that to open a UK Checking account so you can get a debit card you need to have 20,000 pounds minimum in the account. I mean, that's insane. I live in a middle class family here in America and we never have 20,000 dollars cash on hand at all times. Imagine how few people would have checking accounts in the United States if you had to have 20,000 dollars in there at all times.

Does this make sense to anyone else? (And I asked, it's not just cause I'm an American, its for all UK citizens)

 

[loic2003]

pounds or dollars?

but yeah, that is a little high!

 

[Lonyo]

Umm. WTF.
I had a debit account and when I opened it I had £0 in it. (Different bank)
Maybe it's their requirements for a UK chequing acct for a foreign student.

Maybe Citi just suck.

 

[acemcmac]

£20,000 lbs > $20,000 signifigantly

The person you were dealing with just had his/her head up their ass

 

[Jawo]

I've heard of Student accounts requiring $500 minimun balance here in the US if the person has no credit...but I have never tried to open an account from overseas.

 

[OREOSpeedwagon]

yeah, 20,000 pounds is like $38,000 isn't it? i'd call back and talk to someone else or try a different bank.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Different bank FTW, they're having a laugh. I opened my last current account with £100, that gave me a cheque book and Visa card.

(UK national)