[anarcticpuffin]

In the UK they've actually fixed this. The whole process of switching is automated and requires very little work from you. The process is called the "Current Account Switch Guarantee" (Current Account is British for Checking Account). All of your electronic payments (in and out) are migrated automatically. And because the vast majority of payments in the UK are done using direct debit nowadays (rather than checks), there's very little extra work to do on your part. I'm a US citizen but spent a few years in the UK. I miss their banking system.

Here's an example of the standard process: http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/switching-to-hsbc