Hi Pilotsnipes. Thanks for your feedback.
I contacted Barclays in Newry today and got referred to their international call center where I was told that I would not be able to open an account in NI (as I was not a UK resident), but that I could open an offshore account with Barclays International Wealth Management based in London or IOM. No need to travel over there, that they would send me out the required documents which I would need to fill in and send off (along with verified copy of passport, utility bill etc etc)
The account I’m after is a euro account. The interest rate would depend on the size of the savings you would be putting with them – I got quote a rate of 0.55% based on if I lodged €40k with them. There is a reward account where you would be entitled to a bonus rate of 0.5% if you did not withdraw anything for a 9 month period. There is no charge for having the account, however a £30 charge would apply on any withdrawals from the account (no charge for lodgements). They have a full on line internet service
Pilotsnipes – how did you manage to open an account in Newry and did you phone the brach directly?
What is the difference in terms of security between the international account I’m getting offered and the personal account you opened in Newry???