Which bank is best for depositing USD cheques in the UK?

Some banks do "clearing by negotiation" on the spot, and inform you of the exact Sterling amount at the time you pay in the cheque. (Mine does).

I'm with Santander, too. I believe the consensus of UK Warrior opinion among current/previous Santander customers is that they're not the best at all, but I must say they've always been very good, for me. I pay the £10, too, when I have to do this, but so far they've always cleared the cheques within 6 working days (including the day of paying-in, if it's before about 3.00pm).

I hear you there! They've now got one person fully trained and competent, at my branch, who can do it promptly and reliably, and the trick is always to be served by her. I used to hand it in, go out for a coffee, and return 15 minutes later when it's done.

In another thread a few months ago, someone was saying that they pay £8 each time (not with Santander - I can't remember which bank that was).

It's also possible (with Santander, and I think with most banks) to clear them "a different way" (i.e. not "by negotiation") which is very slow, avoids the £10 charge, and means that the rate you get is whatever the rate happens to be on the day about 6 - 8 weeks in the future when it actually hits your account.

The other possible solution to this, for those needing to do it regularly, is to open an account at the Jersey (British Channel Islands) branch of any major UK bank, and just pay them in by post. It's not nearly such a work-up as it sounds (I do have a BCI account but it usually isn't the one I want to use for this :rolleyes: ), and Channel Islands banks are fast and efficient with US cheques, because it's part of their everyday business.

Santander, of course, isn't strictly speaking a "UK bank" at all. It's entirely Spanish-owned, which is potentially a little concerning at the moment (though the UK arm's credit-rating is better than that of its Spanish holding company!). :p

They're local, friendly, and have (so far) been very good to me.

I do see a few Warriors asking this and similar questions, about them, though. And together with the fact that they're Spanish-owned, that does give me some pause for thought. I don't use them for everything, but maybe I need to think about not using them at all.

Noted ... that'll be about £0.014, or something then? Glad you rescued/preserved your car, anyway.

Is HSBC a common bank in the USA and in Canada ?

if so, does that mean a USA HSBC Customer and UK Hsbc customer -will have smoother transactions (wire transfers)

eg, a Usa HSBC trasnfer, to UK Hsbc customer , then would the transactionbe easier? quicker? less questions asked?