Personal Finance Bank accounts

How to open an HBL account online

Zorica Lončar

27.10.22 (updated more than 1 year ago)

Read time 2 minutes

Looking for a new bank account, or to switch banks? One option you may be interested in is HBL Bank UK.

HBL UK is an independent bank offering services targeted to the banking needs of South Asian communities in the UK and Europe. It’s a well-established bank, first launched in London in 1961 and now with additional branches in Manchester and Birmingham¹.

In this guide, we’ll look at how to open an HBL account in the UK and whether it’s possible to do it online. We’ll run through the documents you’ll need and provide some helpful info on the HBL online account opening process. So, you’ll be all set to get your new account up and running.

And if it turns out that HBL isn’t the right fit for you, we’ll look at an alternative - the Wise multi-currency account. This is ideal for people in need of international financial services, letting you manage your money in 50+ currencies and send payments all over the world at the mid-market exchange.

Can I open an HBL account online from the UK?

The first thing to know is that unfortunately, HBL online account opening isn’t possible for customers in the UK².

However, you can at least start the process online, by downloading the application form from the HBL UK website.

As a UK resident, you can only open an account with HBL UK², which has branches in London, Manchester and Birmingham.

It’s important not to confuse this bank with HBL (Habib Bank Limited) Pakistan, which owns HBL UK. HBL Pakistan does offer digital account opening, but only to residents of Pakistan³.

You can’t open an account with HBL Pakistan in the UK, and any account opened with HBL UK won’t be linked with the Pakistan-based bank².

What is required for opening an HBL account?

In order to open an HBL UK account, you’ll need to provide the following²:

Proof of identity - such as your passport or driving licence
Proof of address - such as a recent utility or council tax bill
Proof of income - such as recent pay slips from your employer.

If you have any questions about what documents are required, it’s a good idea to contact the bank. Call 0344 809 4258² or complete the online contact form at the HBL UK website.

You’ll also need to arrange an initial deposit of £2,500. This is a mandatory requirement to open a bank account with HBL, and this amount must be maintained in the account every month².

Opening an HBL UK account - step-by-step guide

If you’re ready to open your HBL UK account, here’s a step-by-step guide to the process:

The first thing to do is to make an appointment with HBL UK at one of their branches. There aren’t many of these, so you’ll need to be prepared to travel. Call the customer services team on 0344 809 4258² to book your appointment.
Download the application form and complete as much information as you can. You may need some help to complete certain sections, such as which account type you’d like. A customer service representative can talk you through the features and benefits of the different accounts available during your appointment.
Prepare your documentation (see the section above) and take it with you to your appointment. You’ll be guided through the process of opening your new account on the day.

Need international banking? Check out the Wise multi-currency account

If you need to manage your money across international borders, Wise is the ideal alternative to a traditional bank account.

Open a free Wise multi-currency account online and you can send money between the UK and Pakistan, and all over the world, for low fees and the mid-market exchange rate. Manage your money in 50+ currencies, and switch between them when you need to.

You can even get a Wise debit card, for contactless low-cost spending in 175 countries including the UK and Pakistan. So wherever you are in the world, Wise has you covered.

Join Wise today

Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information.

After reading this guide, you should have all the essential info you need on opening an account with HBL UK. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to do it online, so making an appointment with a local branch is essential.

But remember that there are alternatives out there, such as Wise, if you’d prefer a more convenient online account opening process.

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 06-Oct-2022

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.