UK bank account(s) closure

[MAD87]

I’ve applied for an HSBC current account online. It was very straightforward.

very straightforward up to a point. I don't know whether you managed to upload the documents they need (ID, avis d'impôts, recent proof of address + extra photos) but we haven't: pages unavailable this w/e and today, despite all the emails and texts exhorting us to provide them asap... Their support pages and Chat also unavailable.
Everything is approved apparently (except for the above docs) but their software - or summatt - doesn't seem up to scratch. Oh and "please don't ring us as we're very busy". I despair.

[DominicBest]

All I needed to upload was a photo of my passport and proof of my address in English. All worked smoothly and I was impressed that the uploads could be accepted in a variety of formats.

[MAD87]

All I needed to upload was a photo of my passport and proof of my address in English.

Are you not tax resident in France?

[exile]

I agree that their software is a bit flaky. First time I got timed out while sorting out the documents. Second time around, the system said my application had been accepted for approval but I had not been asked to upload any documents. Today I have received a letter asking me to send them copies of the required documents.

I haven't been asked to provide a tax statement (yet) and I wonder if that request is because you are still working MAD.

[MAD87]

I haven't been asked to provide a tax statement (yet) and I wonder if that request is because you are still working MAD.

No idea, exile. What I do know is that the number of grey hairs on my sweaty scalp has increased exponentially with each attempt. Actually, it can't be that as after the long questionnaire incident, I decided I was 'retired' for the next application.
I'm just off to NWide to check whether there's any change in their Brexit page - if they get a banking passport, all will be fine.

[DominicBest]

All I needed to upload was a photo of my passport and proof of my address in English.

Are you not tax resident in France?

I am but all they have asked for so far are the two things. I’ve got a message saying that I’m being checked out and to wait to hear from them.

[MAD87]

We've already been checked out. They're not very consistent, are they?

[niemeyjt]

Any thoughts on Wise - good / bad / indifferent.

My UK Banks has increased its charges to receive money from abroad so on paper Wise looks like a solution.

Well Wise worked well. Sent money from Swiss Bank at 8.50. In UK account at 9.19.

Rate was good - XE quote a mid-market rate of CHF3,000 = GBP2,605.66. Even with their charges, they deposited 2,590.66- so a cost of GBP15 only - no dodgy rate of exchange.

Next question - has anyone actually set up an account with them rather than just doing a transfer?

[MAD87]

I have an account with Wise but it's not a bank so no good for the immediate problem.

[niemeyjt]

That is sad - they looked like they offered accounts with IBANs in multiple currencies and with a car to withdraw funds.