How can I open a foreign-currency bank account?

Lloyds TSB blocked my bank account and they are blackmailing me?

• I went last week to a lloyds tsb branch with my partner to change my address, enquire about opening a business account and request bank statement of my current account. The bank manager was behind the counter, I asked about an appointment to open a business account and bank statement printout for 3 days to see the transactions. She refused to give it to me by saying they don't do it at Lloyds, I told her that i have already taken it from another branch, she said that she doesn't want to give it because she doesn't want to, and called the customer behind me forward to serve him. I told that she was being very impolite and that this doesn't comply with Lloyds law about how to treat customers, my partner then got upset and told her that he has to record this, which he started recording at the end, as she was behaving in a very rude way from the start, she was chewing gum, she asked me for what I wanted 3 times, and at the end she was like she is going to close my account because it is illegal to take her video. As i needed to see the transactions on my account, I went to the nearest branch, when I was handed the details I wanted without any fuss. I have 3 bank accounts but I keep all my funds with Lloyds and all my direct debits are set with them. She didn't close my account but she put a block on it. When I went to my holding branch, I was told that I do not have the right to record the manager on video and that I have to return the video for them to delete it, then they can unblock my account. I haven't written a complaint yet, but I want to use the video in my complaint, because it clearly shows how she ignored me and how rude she was. The bank is now blackmailing me that if I want access to my 20 000 which is held in my account, I have to give them the video to delete. This makes me think that if it is illegal, why didn't they take action? And is it really illegal to take a video? Does the bank have the right to hold my funds for this reason? I use my bank account for my online business and I had to stop it because it all depends on transactions and purchases made from this Lloyds account. I don't know what to do really!! Any help! Shoud i return the video, get my bank account running, or place a formal complaint to Lloyds, wait for their response or take it to a lawyer? Thank you

• Answer:

  Go to any bank and tell them you want to move your account from Lloyds it will be done automatically for you. Don`t tell them anything that has transpired, you just want to move your account for your own reasons. They won`t ask anyway, just glad for your business. You will need passport and driving licence ect for identification purposes. All your direct debits ect. will also be transferred (if you have any). That`s all you have to do. I have just moved to Santander, for better interest rates.