Banking

There are two banks located on RAF Mildenhall. 

The first is Community Bank which is operated by Bank of America. It is partnered with a British bank called Barclays. A lot of people choose this bank because they can use Barclays ATM's all over the UK and not be charged a fee. 

The second is Keesler Federal Credit Union. They operate from their main branch at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi.

Regardless of whether you switch your American banking, you will need to open a pound account when you arrive here. Most businesses here in the UK (cable, phone, internet, cell phone) work by Direct Debit only. And they will not take a direct debit from an American account.

The UK (England, Scotland and Northern Ireland) does NOT use the Euro. They use only the British pound sterling. On base, of course, you can use either pounds or dollars. Be sure to watch the exchange rate carefully though and adjust your spending accordingly. Sometimes, you can get a better deal if you use dollars, and sometimes if you use pounds.

Here is a link for a currency exchange calculator updated every 15 minutes:

http://www.dollars2pounds.com/