BANKING COMPARISON TABLE for international, EU and EAA students

Bank of Scotland Barclays Bank HSBC Nationwide Royal Bank of Scotland Santander Bank of China (UK) Ltd Loot
Classic Account or Student Account (only Student Additions Account HSBC Student Bank Account FlexStudent Account (only available for UK, Student Account Essentials Current Account or Digital Current Account
Services available if you’ve lived at a permanent UK (international) EU or EEA students) Basic Current Account
address for the past 3 years)
Provided
Branch Address The Royal Mile, 300 Lawnmarket 10-15 Princes Street 118 Princes Street 71 George Street 30 Nicolson Street University Branch 450 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3JD Mobile banking (iOS, Android and web)
(walking time (10 minutes) (20 minutes) (25 minutes) (25 minutes) (5 minutes) 5/4 Bristo Square (Very frequent bus/train services between
to bank from Also at: Also at: Also at: (5 minutes) Edinburgh and Glasgow)
George Square) 76 Hanover Street 320 Morningside Road 61 Forrest Road Also at:
(25 minutes) (45 minutes) (5 minutes), 31 Hanover St
36 St Andrew Square (17 minutes)
(25 minutes)
How to open an Open in branch or online Apply online to receive an application Open in branch Apply online and complete application Open in branch, online or by phone Open in branch Open in branch Open online via iOS and Android apps or via
account reference number and book an appointment in person within 2 months of the bank’s (by appointment) the website
to resume in branch invitation, or visit a branch to fill in application
Manage the In branch Online Online Online Online In branch Online banking/ telephone banking during 24/7 Mobile banking app with instant
account Online 24 hour telephone banking 24 hour telephone banking 24 hour telephone banking 24 hour telephone banking Online working hours. push notifications for transactions and live
24 hour telephone banking Mobile banking Mobile banking Mobile banking 24 hour telephone banking English, Mandarin and Cantonese dialect balance. Speak to customer service via the
services also available. app or over the phone.
Text alerts
Minimum None None None You must pay in at least £500 per term from None None Returnable £50.00 minimum balance on None. Free international transfers into the
amount to open the date the account is opened. Free international transfers into account. closure of account. account.
account The Essentials Current Account has a £1 Free international transfer into account. No fees for using the account. 2 free ATM
monthly account fee. Free demand draft paid into account from withfrawals per month from anywhere in
Bank of China in China. the world, otherwise £1 fee for ATM use.
No foreign currencies exchange commission. Contactless card payment is recommended
to avoid the fee.
Cash deposit at any UK HSBC branch.

Length of time Opened in branch at appointment. Card in Most applications are completed on the day Open in branch in 45 mins, no contract, no Open at appointment. Card in 7 to 10 5 – 7 days Appointment needed. Accounts will be Up to 3 working days. Open an account 8 Minutes to open an account online
to open an approx. 5 working days. of appointment with account details given fee. Card in approx 5 working days. working days. opened in 3-5 working days. Card will take 5-7 using any currency including RMB. (including all international students). 3-5
account immediately. Card and PIN take 5 working working days). In September appointments working days to receive your card.
days. will be available at short notice.
Cash Card Yes Yes Visa Debit card Yes Visa Debit card Visa Debit card Visa Debit card Contactless MasterCard
Direct Debits & Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Standing Orders
Minimum None You should be studying on an Visa must have 3 months remaining at the There is a minimum stay of 3 months at a Course needs to be longer than 6 months to Students are required to be in the UK for 12 None None
duration of stay undergraduate course for a minimum of time of opening registered UK address open an account months. Short term visas can be accepted as Can cancel account at any time without fees
in UK 2 years or a postgraduate course for a long as the student can confirm they plan to
minimum of 1 year stay in the UK for at least 12 months if they
are awaiting BRPs.
Bank Monthly or instantly online Monthly Monthly or quarterly online Monthly Monthly Monthly Monthly Instantly available online or via the app
statements* Statements cannot be obtained in branch, Official statements can also be provided on
only online or via post. request at the bank
ID to open an (i) Passport (with UK visa) / BRP card (i) Passport (with UK visa) / BRP card (i) Passport (with UK visa / BRP card) (i) Passport (with UK visa) (i) Passport (with UK visa) (i) Passport (with UK visa) (i) Passport (with UK visa) (i) Passport or government issued photo ID
account (ii) University Bank Introduction Letter (ii) University Bank Introduction Letter (ii) University Bank Introduction Letter (ii) Proof of UK address (tenancy agreement, (ii) University Bank Introduction Letter (ii) University Bank Introduction Letter or (ii) University Bank Introduction Letter (ii) Address to send the card to - this can be
(iii) Proof of current UK address (ii) Proof of current UK address UK bills, letter from a university) student card your school address in the UK
(iii) Proof of address (valid national driver’s
licence from EEA country, OR official
documents less than 3 months old - either
a bank statement from EEA-based bank, OR
utility bill from EEA-based provider)

* You will require original banks statements if you are applying for a visa extension.
Produced by Edinburgh Global, The University of Edinburgh, August 2018