Setting up a bank account

[fitz]

alternatively get onto www.tuxedocard.com and you may have a better chance with that

 

[bocadillo]

The only type of account for which a National Insurance number is necessary is an ISA - and that is so that they can ensure that you don't open more than one in the same year.

There is no necessity to give them your NI number for any other kind of account. They do though, on account of the 'money-laundering regulations', need to have proof of your name and of your address (and your previous address if you have recently moved). There are a whole host of documents that you can use to prove these - none of which is a letter with your NI number on it.

Tell your friend to go to a decent bank that knows what it's doing!

 

[bocadillo]

alternatively get onto www.tuxedocard.com and you may have a better chance with that

And how much interest is he going to get on his money with one of them?