Uk resident in Phil. opening a non-resident bank account in Spain

[johncar54]

A British pal of mine who lives in Manila has started spending regular holidays in Spain. Having had problems with using his Philippines ATM cards, he wanted to open a non-resident bank account so he could transfer fund to that account to use whilst in Spain, but he hit a load of obstacles.

When I checked with the manager, who is more or less a friend, she said that being resident in the Philippines was a problem as the banks view that as an unfriendly off shore tax haven, who will not exchange info with European banks.

Had my pal been living in UK then no questions would have been asked.

I think next time he is here (in Spain) he will try again to open an account (and with no questions asked) I think he will then be 'living at his brother's address in UK' !!!!!

[Dedworth]

Some of these anti money laundering requirements are a joke. I've a business account with Santander and they have some laughable requirements when wanting to set up an additional account etc. The simple fact that one has been with them for years with hundreds of trackable electronic in/out transactions seems to have little bearing.

[Englishman2010]

A British pal of mine who lives in Manila has started spending regular holidays in Spain. Having had problems with using his Philippines ATM cards, he wanted to open a non-resident bank account so he could transfer fund to that account to use whilst in Spain, but he hit a load of obstacles.

When I checked with the manager, who is more or less a friend, she said that being resident in the Philippines was a problem as the banks view that as an unfriendly off shore tax haven, who will not exchange info with European banks.

Had my pal been living in UK then no questions would have been asked.

I think next time he is here (in Spain) he will try again to open an account (and with no questions asked) I think he will then be 'living at his brother's address in UK' !!!!!

Isn't that fraud or deception John? I would have thought an Ex Met Senior Police Officer would be strongly against that sort of thing

[johncar54]

Some of these anti money laundering requirements are a joke. I've a business account with Santander and they have some laughable requirements when wanting to set up an additional account etc. The simple fact that one has been with them for years with hundreds of trackable electronic in/out transactions seems to have little bearing.

That was the thoughts of the bank manger I quoted above.

My pal was not intending to transfer 'funny money' nor deposit cash, but traceable taxed income.

[Terpe]

It's OK as long as you are able to satisfy the requirements for opening a bank account.
I've actually closed quite a few accounts during the past 5 years or so in order to remain within the meaning of 'legal'

It has to be said though, that opening a bank account (with a bank you have no history with) has actually become MUCH more difficult than it ever used to be.

Just be sure that any bank account you operate is within the rules. HMRC have plenty of powers these days and have plenty of shared data bases across gov't depts .

[andy222]

Sorry I just came across this. When I was in manila I wanted to check my balance. As I dont trust the ATMs there I went into the HSBC and asked at the counter for a balance check. I gave them my card and they said because your from the UK we cant access your account from here. I found it strange. I thought they were a world wide bank?

[grahamw48]

The Manila 'end' of the banking system put a stop on my British bank card the first time I used it in a Phils ATM, even though I'd told my bank I would be drawing money out there and I had a considerable amount in the account.