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- Bank of India NRI Account - Types, Eligibility Criteria, and Steps to Apply
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- Key Takeaways
- Which Indian Banks Operate in the UK?
- Indian Banks in the UK and Their Type of Presence
- What Services Do Indian Banks in the UK Provide?
- Are Indian Banks in the UK Useful for NRIs?
- How to Check an Indian Bank's Current UK Branch or Office
- What to Check Before Choosing an Indian Bank in the UK
- Conclusion
Finding the right Indian bank in the UK can be confusing because an Indian banking group may operate through a UK subsidiary, a branch, or another type of presence. If you are an Indian citizen, NRI, or UK resident with financial connections to India, it is also important to distinguish UK banking services from NRI accounts maintained with an Indian banking entity.
This guide provides a current overview of major Indian banks with a UK presence, explains the type of operation they maintain, and shows how to verify current branches and services.
Key Takeaways
- State Bank of India, Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank and Punjab National Bank have identifiable UK banking operations.
- ICICI Bank UK PLC operates as a UK banking subsidiary and currently lists 10 UK locations through its official branch/office information.
- Indian banking groups can operate in the UK through different structures, so an Indian bank's UK presence does not always mean a conventional retail branch network.
- SBI UK Limited is a wholly owned UK subsidiary of State Bank of India and operates 11 retail branches across the UK.
- UK branch locations, opening hours and available services can change, so readers should check the relevant bank's official UK information before visiting.
- NRI accounts held with an Indian banking entity can be legally and operationally different from accounts held with the bank's UK operation.
Which Indian Banks Operate in the UK?
The High Commission of India in London lists several Indian banking and financial institutions with a UK presence, including State Bank of India, Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank and Punjab National Bank. Its listing also identifies Union Bank of India (UK) Ltd.
The following table focuses on Indian banking groups for which a UK presence can be verified through current or recent official information.
|
Indian banking group |
Current UK presence |
Examples of UK locations / role |
|---|---|---|
|
State Bank of India (SBI) |
UK banking subsidiary |
London, Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester, Manchester, Harrow, Hounslow and other locations |
|
ICICI Bank |
UK banking subsidiary |
Manchester, Southall, Wembley, Tower Hill, Birmingham, Eastham, Harrow, Milton Keynes, Reading and Tooting |
|
Punjab National Bank (PNB) |
UK banking subsidiary |
PNB International Limited; seven UK branches |
|
Bank of India (BOI) |
UK branches |
London, Birmingham, Leicester, Wembley and Glasgow |
|
Canara Bank |
UK branches |
London and Leicester |
|
Union Bank of India |
UK-incorporated subsidiary |
London |
|
Bank of Baroda |
UK subsidiary/operations undergoing retail wind-down |
London and other UK locations listed by the bank |
|
Exim Bank of India |
London branch |
Supports international/trade-related banking activities |
|
HDFC Bank |
London representative/access office |
London; primarily India-related advisory services rather than a conventional UK branch network |
|
IndusInd Bank |
London representative office |
London; the bank states that it does not hold a UK financial-services licence |
The High Commission of India has separately published lists identifying Indian banks operating in the UK. Those government lists are useful for understanding the historical and institutional presence of Indian banking groups, but current bank websites and regulatory information should be used to verify whether a particular institution still offers banking services to UK customers.
Indian Banks in the UK and Their Type of Presence
Indian bank in the UK” does not automatically mean that an Indian bank has a network of ordinary UK branches.
There are several possible structures:
- UK subsidiary: A separately incorporated UK company owned by an Indian banking group. SBI UK and ICICI Bank UK are examples.
- UK branch: An overseas branch of the Indian bank operating in the UK, such as Bank of India and Canara Bank.
- Representative office: An office that may provide information, relationship management or assistance but does not necessarily conduct the full range of regulated banking activities.
- Access/advisory office: A physical UK location intended for specific India-related services rather than ordinary UK retail banking.
This distinction matters because a UK address does not necessarily mean you can open a UK current account, deposit money, obtain a loan or open an Indian NRE Account or NRO account at that location.
State Bank of India
State Bank of India has a substantial UK presence through State Bank of India (UK) Limited, a wholly owned UK subsidiary. SBI UK says it operates 11 retail branches and provides services to individual, business and corporate customers. Its listed locations include London, Birmingham, Coventry, East Ham, Golders Green, Harrow, Hounslow, Leicester, Manchester, Southall and Wolverhampton.
SBI UK also provides money-transfer services to India. Importantly for NRIs, SBI explains that NRE/NRO accounts maintained with SBI branches in India are obligations of the Indian entity, not SBI UK. UK branches can facilitate certain NRI account-related processes, but the Indian account remains with SBI in India.
ICICI Bank
ICICI Bank operates in Britain through ICICI Bank UK PLC, its UK banking subsidiary. ICICI Bank's current UK information states that the subsidiary operates from 10 UK locations, while its branch information identifies locations including Manchester, Southall, Wembley, Tower Hill, Birmingham, Eastham, Harrow, Milton Keynes, Reading and Tooting.
ICICI Bank UK provides UK banking services and India-linked money transfers. Its official remittance information also confirms that customers without an ICICI Bank UK account can use its UK branches for certain transfers to India.
Punjab National Bank
Punjab National Bank operates in Britain through Punjab National Bank (International) Limited (PNBIL). PNBIL states that it is a UK-incorporated commercial bank and a wholly owned subsidiary of Punjab National Bank in India. It is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and regulated by the PRA and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Its official information states that it operates through seven UK branches.
For a UK customer, dealing with PNBIL is therefore different from dealing directly with a PNB branch in India.
Bank of India
Bank of India has a long-established UK branch presence. Bank of India's current overseas contact information lists UK locations including London, Birmingham, Leicester, Wembley and Glasgow.
The bank's London operation is also identified in its current overseas information, making Bank of India one of the Indian banking groups with an established physical UK banking presence.
Canara Bank
Canara Bank maintains UK banking operations. Canara Bank's published information identifies London and Leicester as UK branches.
Canara Bank's documents also identify its London branch in connection with GBP clearing and correspondent banking arrangements, providing evidence of its continuing UK banking infrastructure.
Union Bank of India
Union Bank of India has a UK presence through Union Bank of India (UK) Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary. Union Bank's annual report describes its London operation as being conducted through this UK subsidiary rather than as one of the parent bank's overseas branches.
The bank's NRI publications also continue to list the London UK subsidiary as an overseas contact point.
Bank of Baroda
Bank of Baroda has historically maintained a significant UK presence through Bank of Baroda (UK) Limited, with locations including London, Southall and other UK areas listed by the bank.
However, this is an important current-status qualification: Bank of Baroda has announced its intention to wind down and close its UK retail banking activities. Therefore, older articles showing Bank of Baroda as an ordinary UK retail branch network should not be treated as current without checking the latest bank notice.
HDFC Bank, IndusInd Bank and Exim Bank
HDFC Bank has a London representative office/access point, rather than a conventional UK retail branch network. HDFC Bank says its London office is intended for services connected with housing loans and purchasing property in India.
IndusInd Bank also has a London representative office. The bank specifically states that it does not hold a UK financial-services licence and does not intend to conduct regulated financial activity there.
Export-Import Bank of India, commonly known as Exim Bank, maintains a London branch serving its international and trade-finance activities. The bank identifies its London office as part of its overseas network and its UK/European operations.
What Services Do Indian Banks in the UK Provide?
Services vary significantly between banks and between UK and Indian banking entities. Depending on the institution, customers may find services such as:
- Personal and business banking
- Savings and current accounts
- Commercial or corporate banking
- Loans and mortgages
- Foreign exchange services
- Money transfers to India
- Trade-finance services
- NRI-related assistance
- India-focused investment or property-finance services
For example, SBI UK lists personal, business, lending, remittance and NRI services, while ICICI Bank UK provides personal, business, corporate and investment banking services through its UK operation.
The availability of a particular service should always be checked with the relevant UK entity. A product offered by the parent bank in India may have different eligibility requirements or may not be offered by the UK operation.
Are Indian Banks in the UK Useful for NRIs?
Indian banks can be useful to NRIs who need to maintain financial connections between the UK and India, but the exact arrangement depends on the bank and service.
For example, SBI UK explicitly distinguishes between its UK banking operation and NRI accounts offered through SBI branches in India. Its NRI documentation states that those India-based NRI accounts are not maintained at or serviced by SBI offices in the UK.
Common NRI-related requirements can include:
- Sending money to India
- Managing Indian bank accounts
- Understanding NRE, NRO or FCNR products
- Financing property in India
- Maintaining financial relationships with India
If you need detailed guidance on NRE/NRO/FCNR accounts, that information should be handled in a dedicated NRI banking guide rather than assumed from the existence of a UK branch.
How to Check an Indian Bank's Current UK Branch or Office
Because banking networks and services can change, verify the information before visiting a branch.
- Start with the bank's official UK website. Look for its branch or office locator.
- Check the exact service you need. A listed office may not provide full retail banking.
- Confirm the current address and opening hours.
- Check the regulatory status where relevant. The Bank of England and FCA provide regulatory information for UK financial institutions.
- For NRI accounts, identify the responsible banking entity. An account maintained in India may be subject to Indian rules even when the customer receives assistance from a UK office.
For example, SBI's official branch locator currently lists its UK branch network, while ICICI Bank UK provides its own UK branch/office finder.
What to Check Before Choosing an Indian Bank in the UK
Rather than relying on a generic list or ranking, compare the features that matter to your situation:
- Location: Is there a convenient UK branch if you need face-to-face service?
- Banking entity: Are you dealing with the UK subsidiary, an Indian branch or a representative office?
- Services: Does the UK entity provide the account, remittance or finance service you need?
- India connectivity: Check how the bank handles transfers and India-linked transactions.
- Eligibility: UK residency, identity, address and other requirements can vary.
- Fees and exchange rates: Check the latest published tariff rather than relying on an old comparison.
- Regulatory status: For UK banking, confirm the relevant FCA/PRA status where applicable.
- Digital access: Check whether the required services can be completed online or require a branch visit.
This approach is more useful than simply asking which bank is "best," because the appropriate choice depends on the customer's location, account requirements and intended use.
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Chat NowConclusion
The list of Indian banks in UK is more nuanced than a simple list of names. SBI, ICICI Bank, PNB, Bank of India, Canara Bank and Union Bank of India have identifiable UK banking operations, while institutions such as HDFC Bank and IndusInd Bank have more limited representative or access arrangements. Bank of Baroda's UK retail operation is currently subject to a wind-down announcement, so older lists should be treated cautiously.
For UK-based Indians and NRIs, the most important step is to verify the exact UK entity, current branch location and service available before making an application or visiting a branch. A UK banking operation and an Indian NRI account can involve different entities, rules and responsibilities
Frequently Asked Questions
Use the bank's official UK website or branch locator first. For regulated UK banking entities, the FCA/PRA regulatory information can provide additional confirmation. Addresses and services should be rechecked before travelling because banking networks can change.
No. Some have UK banking subsidiaries or branches, while others have representative or access offices. HDFC Bank and IndusInd Bank, for example, have London representative/access operations rather than conventional UK retail branch networks.
Some UK operations facilitate India-related NRI services, but the exact arrangement differs by bank. An NRE, NRO or FCNR account may be maintained by the bank's Indian entity rather than its UK subsidiary or branch. SBI UK provides a clear example of this distinction.
Yes. ICICI Bank UK PLC operates from 10 UK locations, with its current branch information listing Manchester, Southall, Wembley, Tower Hill, Birmingham, Eastham, Harrow, Milton Keynes, Reading and Tooting.
Major Indian banking groups with a UK presence include State Bank of India (SBI), ICICI Bank, Punjab National Bank (PNB), Bank of India, Canara Bank and Union Bank of India. Other Indian financial institutions also have UK offices or operations, but their presence may be a representative office, subsidiary or specialist branch rather than a full retail banking network.
Several Indian banking groups have a London presence, including SBI, ICICI Bank, PNB, Bank of India, Canara Bank and Union Bank of India. Some other institutions also maintain London offices for representative, advisory, corporate or specialist activities. Availability and services should be confirmed through the institution's current UK information.
- Key Takeaways
- Which Indian Banks Operate in the UK?
- Indian Banks in the UK and Their Type of Presence
- What Services Do Indian Banks in the UK Provide?
- Are Indian Banks in the UK Useful for NRIs?
- How to Check an Indian Bank's Current UK Branch or Office
- What to Check Before Choosing an Indian Bank in the UK
- Conclusion
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