If you’re from the UK, open an account with the Nationwide. It’s the only bank I know of anywhere that doesn’t a fee for withdrawing cash from a foreign ATM (UPDATE 8th March 2009 – SEE THIS POST). The only charges I’ve been hit with in almost 10 months were from ATMs in Vietnam, and they were levied by the ATM not by Nationwide. Their exchange rate is as good as or better than anyone else as well. So is their internet banking. And their telephone support when your card gets stolen, although they will only post a replacement card to you registered address, so make sure there’s someone who can get to your post and forward it to where you are.