Brit opening a new bank account in the Philippines

[Snowy79]

I've now been in country two weeks and just applied to open an account in the Philippines. I currently bank with the HSBC in the UK so opted to go for the HSBC in the Philippines. They are a different entity but linked.

Prior to leaving the UK I contacted the overseas banking dept of the HSBC to set the account up but they just told me to go into the Makati branch when I arrive with a passport and proof of accommodation.

Hot off of the press I went in today and was asked for proof of address. I took a lease contract and a copy of a sky bill with me but was informed the lease contract isn't acceptable. The women then asked if I had a UK drivers licence with address or any official document. As I had internet banking with the HSBC I borrowed her computer and logged into my UK account then printed off a statement with my UK address on it which she accepted. I then filled in four A4 sized forms with about thirty basic questions on it and was sent on my way. I hear in 10 days if my account is to be opened. She says it should be a formality as long as I keep over 100,000 php in the account. She says I'll get a credit card to use in any other bank with no fee and also a preferential exchange rate when sending pounds sterling. The standard rate is only about 1 php below the day rate and if I transfer large sums there's only a  3$ charge regardless of the size of transfer. There was no mention of an ACR card or anything else.