A bank account

Well, today has proved surprisingly frustrating.

I've got details on a handful of banks in Canada, all of whom are supposed to offer packages for immigrants that you can apply for before you leave. I recklessly decided to try and open a bank account before I leave, so I can transfer cash now and have it waiting when I visit the branch in person.

Now, that sounded simple. If only it was that simple in practice....

CRB - I need to put my phone number in. Except I'm in the UK, and my phone number as a different format. So the whole three-digit city code? Not going to work. I phoned them (thanks, Skype!) and was told to type as much as I could. So on the second attempt, I tried that, and then fell down again. I need two forms of ID - I added my passport as one, and the rest are either things I'll need to be in Canada for, or that I'd need to be a US citizen for. Hmpf.

ScotiaBank - apparently not interested unless I'm coming from China or India

HSBC - they've emailed me a form to fill in. I did try the local branch here, who said they coul take me through the process, and there's a nominal fee of £100.

So I'm not particularly impressed so far.