Opening BANK A/C before "conditional acceptance"

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Hi

Can anyone tell me if it is possible to open a current a/c before being offically recogonised as a MM2H'er?
We have just submitted an application and have received a ref number, we are not sure just how long it will take to be officially approved.  In the meantime we want to go to Malaysia, rent  an apartment and start living there whilst we wait. Practically though how do we pay for our rent, utilities etc without an a/c , we don't want to be withdrawing money daily on our creditcards. It would be much easier and cost effective to transfer sterling  and convert to ringitt.

Any advice would be very welcome
MArcy

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We did exactly what you want to do - moved to KL from Singapore even before we applied for MM2H - opened a bank account with HSBC had no problem.

Cheers

Brian

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I think if you are willing to transfer enough dosh you can open a bank account with any Bank.
 
If you already have an HSBC account some where in another country ...then setting up an account in KL is as easy as 'falling off a log'
It is called "staff introduction...or something like that

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hi,

I opened a Maybank account by telling them that I had applied for mm2h. I was already in Malaysia. There was no problem.

Maybank does not have any retail presence in the UK. It has a small representative office in the city of London. This office is not able to help, pretty much on everything.

HSBC is probably the easiest way to go.



BTW : Emirates has some really cheap UK/KL airfares at the moment and MAS is worth checking out. I saw the ads in yesterday's Star newspaper.

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As I understand it, if you walk into any branch of a Malaysian Bank in Malaysia, you cannot open an account.  HSBC is the only loophole.  Open an account anywhere else, outside Malaysia.  Then use that account to open an account in Malaysia.  It will take about 3 weeks from first approach to receiving confirmation.

I am doing the same process right now, using my HSBC account in BKK, to open an account at HSBC, 1, Downing St.

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hi,

I opened a Maybank account by telling them that I had applied for mm2h. I was already in Malaysia. There was no problem.

Can you remember what you needed to open the account?  Do you need proof of address in Malaysia?  We're thinking of trying to open an account on the next trip but don't have a Malaysian address, unless we borrow one 

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We bought a condo as a holiday home on a Sunday the last day of our vacation, that was months before we applied for MM2H. HSBC gave us a loan on the spot that came with a mtg and a current account. We left early Monday morning and the paper works were sent to us as we didn't have a local address. We bank with HSBC overseas, so I'm not sure if that was an added plus 

BB

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I can tell you where NOT to go and thats Standard Chartered in Bukit Bintang. When I went there last Friday they were quite emphatic a new savings a/c was impossible without a work permit or you had MM2H already. This was despite having been told by their call centre all that was required was a passport.
I'll be trying some other banks/branches next week to see if its the same everywhere but it wouldnt surprise me if its a government edict over concerns of money laundering. I think foreigners and overseas students have just as much difficulty opening bank accounts in the UK.

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hi, Papaya,

You're right, I did have a Malaysian address. But no proof as there's no lease, and all the utility bills are in the landlord's name. I just gave the address, and showed my passport and told them that I was applying for mm2h. I did not have an approval letter as I hadn't yet applied.

This was at Maybank.

I do have an honest face.   

You could try Maybank but they might have tightened up since my time. Or go the HSBC route just to get an account opened.

Or try opening an account on the basis of the mm2h application receipt number. Or on the basis of your Thailand accounts. Ask the bank how it's going to help you.

Yesterday whilst waiting for the service on the merc I popped into Maybank (not my local branch) to get some air-con. After 20 minutes some energetic staffer came over to wake me up and ask if they could help. I said that I needed a Malaysian visa card, which I do, but that the forms say I need proof of income, wages, pension, and that I've got some money but can't prove it. Within 15 minutes I received a new form which said pre-approval for visa card. Amazing, I didn't even have to give my account number which I don't remember anyway.

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Thanks all.  I think we'll give it a go on the next trip and see what happens.