On my account opening spree I came across Handelsbanken which from what I can tell seem to be a semi private kinda bank?
They seem to be very focused on relationship banking and that you can’t just open the account online you need to like go to a branch and they like see if your the right fit for the bank.
They have a very wide range of branches spread out across the country.
Anyone got a account with Handelsbanken or know anymore about them?
There’s a branch in Wrexham. Never in my 20 years or more have I ever seen anyone go in or come out.
Not even sure how long it’s been there 
Just looks like a normal office building.
I like the look of the cards.
To me it seems like they look like a normal bank with branches and stuff like that but their application process is very “do we like you?” and “how much money do you have?”
There was someone here a while back, who tried it but it was just too personal like head to branch, show us all this stuff and we will maybe let you know.
Yeah it does sound very personal.
I imagine they would want pay stubs, proof of savings, proof of investments and all sorts just to open a account.
Part of me would be tempted to open a account but also £25 a month for a standard current account is ridiculous. They say thats for their relationship banking but even still!
Just learnt my city has one too. It looks like a small house not a bank. Would never have known it was there, though I’ve walked past it thousands of times!
My parents use them. I was with my dad when he wanted to send a payment - he called the branch, had a bit of small talk, made his request, and rather than keep him waiting while getting logged back into the system, the chap said he wouldn’t keep him on the line but would let him know when it was done, which he did by text a few minutes later.
I assume some combination of caller ID and the small talk is how they do their customer authentication, but the whole transaction was much more human than you’d get from any high street bank. I expect that’s reflected in the fees.
Do you know how your parents became customers with Handelsbanken?
I don’t know, but my dad’s the kind of person who would have read about them in a newspaper, thought ‘that sounds interesting’, and called them up to find out more.
As you’ve found out, you need to go into a branch for a chat to sign up - I don’t think there’s any secret handshakes or initiation ceremonies, just people who are actually interested in knowing their customers (and customers who want to be treated as more than just a number).
I had an initial chat with a banking manager at my local branch (Peterborough). She was very friendly, the call lasted probably 20 minutes and the next step would have been an in-person chat at the branch (which is a very unassuming building away from the city centre). Their focus is indeed very much on “personal” banking - she asked about my family, hobbies, etc. I definitely understand how some people wouldn’t like that but I quite enjoy a personal touch. Sadly I don’t meet the minimum deposit requirement (£250k) and I chose to upgrade my NatWest account to Premier Black instead. I will say the experience intrigued me though, and I may reconsider in the future. We do know at least one school mum (very much well-to-do) who’s bank details are Handelsbanken.
See that part the hide from their website. I don’t see anything about a minimum balance or deposit or anything on any documentation or anywhere on the website?
That must be the surprise on the phone call with them. “of course you can be a customer with us……..so when you gonna transfer the 250 thousand today, let’s make it today!”
To be fair I got the impression that it isn’t a hard-and-fast rule. Everything on the call seemed to be gauging whether I “fit” the bank (not in a bad way though). She mentioned they could also take into account high salary/mortgage/etc., and they weren’t phased by my odd personal financial situation (paid in USD to my US bank, and move the majority over each month via Wise). The £25/month fee didn’t bother me - I’m now paying £36/month for my Natwest account, primarily for the customer service aspect alone. (Though higher cashback rates and other perks go a long way to mitigating the monthly fee.)
At the end of the call I got the distinct impression I was welcome to contact them again in a few years when (hopefully) my situation is a better fit. And I will definitely consider it.
Well yeah I pay at the moment £22.50 for Lloyds Platinum + £5 for Club Lloyds and £15 a month for Lloyds International. So i am also paying more then their account. But i get lots of benefits and extras from the account. Handelsbanken seem to justify their fee with “its for are services”
I have filled in the form to open a new account. I am honestly going to see how far I can get with them.
They probably send their butler down in the rolls which parks around the back.
Had a email back from a “Private Account Manager” from my local branch just asking about what products I am interested in and looking for.
I have replied and enquired about the Current Account, Savings and Stocks & Shares ISA.
So moving forward with Handelsbanken slowly.
Let’s see where this goes 
Must earn enough to have the ball rolling so I’d assume it’s a good sign
I believe Handelsbanken doesn’t actually have a blanket minimum requirement for deposit/salary.
Each branch has its own rules, as I tried some years ago - and the manager was fine with my normal life and nowhere near £250k (not even £100k salary!), he was very clear about the fees. However he was interested in whether I’d remortgage to them.
He also said the fees will vary depending on if salary is paid in, and what products I hold, and if it’s my main account etc. Use the card for spending. He made clear they aren’t really interested in offering services if I don’t intend to make it my own banK. I remember stating I would want a separate direct debit account and he was fine.
In the end he did say that there is technically another branch closer to me. I tried with them and they weren’t at all interested.
I didn’t go back as one of the requirements was to go get 6 months bank statements. As I had a number of accounts (direct debits, salary, spending, packaged account) etc I decided against it as I thought that’s a lot of effort of getting statements and information for nothing.
I never heard of them again.
I know this isn’t a “Handelsbanken in the media” thread, but I’ve been watching The Seaside Hotel (set in Denmark in the 1930s) on Channel 4 and Handelsbanken gets a mention.
I don’t know how good the bank is, but the series is very good.
So my emails with Handelsbanken have been continuing.
I went back and forth with the account manager at my local branch for a while. They asked for a lot of details about my income, investments, current banking of choice and just daily life honestly.
I did give them everything they asked for. I was then asked if I would be in a position to deposit £250,000 to become a customer. I explained that in order for that to happen I would need to sell all of my investments and bonds and I didn’t want to do that. The account manager agreed with me and said that the £250,000 is just a guide and you don’t need to deposit that much but thats the amount they would like but it can be much much less if you want it to.
Also if you do become a customer with Handelsbanken they are very strict on making sure you use their services for everything and really no one else. Of course they can’t control it but they like to know you are using them for mostly everything. Plus with the £25 monthly fee you may as well 
I am now at the stage where I need to go into my local branch for a meeting. Which I am going to do and see how it goes to be honest. They said they every single customer has to be invitied into a branch to open any sort of account so they can get to know you better and ensure you are right for the bank itself.
At no point so far have they said “no” to me in anyway.
So let’s see how this goes!
