“Nobody wants me”, well, let me dial down the tone and clarify that, the “Nobody” is in fact the British Banking System who, in this case are really unpaid agents of the British Government. Sound like something out of John Grisham? No, let me explain, GB has told me they do not want my money.
What has happened? My perennial ¨home bank (60 years a client) has just informed me they are terminating ALL my bank accounts, with a 60-day limit to make alternative arrangements. The reason – "You reside in a country that is not included in our list of accepted nations". In simple terms, “Colombian residents are not welcome”.
This poses me problems as my British pensions, British investment transactions, British tax payments, etc., are all in pounds sterling and normally dealt with in a British bank, or offshore banking arrangement. No problem I thought, I will just get a replacement bank account that accepts clients residing in Colombia. Wrong, so far, I have been unable to find such a bank account; all of the standard options (NatWest, Lloyds, etc.) apply the same reasoning - Colombia is off limits!
There are still options out there, “Digital, Online” banks for example, but I must admit I am not enthusiastic, too old fashioned and critical of today´s offerings I suppose.
I realise my situation will not concern most forum members as there are only a handful of non-USA forum members and the English amongst them, even less, but I do think it needs to be considered by everybody as today´s world is currently showing how fast things can change. Could US expats home bank accounts be treated in the same manner?
What has happened? My perennial ¨home bank (60 years a client) has just informed me they are terminating ALL my bank accounts, with a 60-day limit to make alternative arrangements. The reason – "You reside in a country that is not included in our list of accepted nations". In simple terms, “Colombian residents are not welcome”.
This poses me problems as my British pensions, British investment transactions, British tax payments, etc., are all in pounds sterling and normally dealt with in a British bank, or offshore banking arrangement. No problem I thought, I will just get a replacement bank account that accepts clients residing in Colombia. Wrong, so far, I have been unable to find such a bank account; all of the standard options (NatWest, Lloyds, etc.) apply the same reasoning - Colombia is off limits!
There are still options out there, “Digital, Online” banks for example, but I must admit I am not enthusiastic, too old fashioned and critical of today´s offerings I suppose.
I realise my situation will not concern most forum members as there are only a handful of non-USA forum members and the English amongst them, even less, but I do think it needs to be considered by everybody as today´s world is currently showing how fast things can change. Could US expats home bank accounts be treated in the same manner?
