DigitalGhost

Yeah, that's a similar cipher system to the one used in the British models. You might actually find that the underlying algorithm is exactly the same and therefore the Aussie ones would work with British bank accounts too.

Dreamy

I dream about being able to make a call on my mobile out in the road

When we had the bad bushfires here and suffered a deluge of reporters, it was suddenly realised that there was no reliable mobile signal (and definitely no 4G!!), so with the phone lines down, they erected a temporary mast at the top of our road.

It was wonderful

On the rare occasion I need to make an online bank payment to a new person and have to get a mobile activation code, I have to have a child poised by the pc inside while I wander up and down the road looking for the elusive 1 bar necessary to get a text message. As soon as I get it, I have to freeze, try to send a text (because sometimes it lies) and if that's successful, shout 'PRESS THE BLOODY BUTTON!!!!!'

Happy days.

moneypenny20

Not sure about the fee free withdrawals but you've pretty much described my Comm Bank experience of 11 years.

I keep reading the thread title as dysentery

Swerv-o

A dysentery device - I like that

Sadly many people don't shop around for the best banking deals, and then get locked into fees etc and consider it normal. Most banks offer fee free banking somehow, but it isn's always the top option on the website.

People also seem strangely defensive of their banking choices, and very unwilling to change for a better deal.

As for Citi, fee free withdrawals overseas is great - particularly as I travel quite a lot.


S

spouse of scouse

I keep saying it, but nobody listens - Citibank offer the best Australian banking experience - Minimal fees, no stupid token generators...
Why people continue to bank with these hokey local fools is beyond me

Sorry, but it was funny

Beoz

I'm listening . I've raved about HSBC for years but our relationship is straining. We have some silly device to bank with, both Australian and British HSBC accounts and the things are a pain in the arse.

I use 28Degrees for the fee free OS credit card but the thing cannot be linked to HSBC and therefore I forget to pay the damn thing off and get charged interest.

Maybe its my relationship manager. She is Chinese and despite being very nice and a very hard worker for me, she's robotic and if computer says no it means no. Well sometimes you need things the computer doesn't understand. Its nice to have a personal relationship manager on call. Can't see an Aussie bank doing that.

I will check out Citibank. I have a Comm Bank account I have had for years and I just find them and any other local Aussie bank a real effort. Apologies in advance to the millions who do, but anyone who banks with an Aussie bank is a mug.

xizzles

Might be easier to swap relationship managers than to up sticks and swap banks... just a suggestion. Not sure if being Chinese is the cause of her being robotic. I've met plenty of robotic automatons of all colors and races, and if there's one commonality in them, it's called: "can't be arsed to go the extra mile".

Swerv-o

I also used to bank with HSBC, but found the same as you - as soon as you need something a little bit out of the box, and the computer says no, you are really up against it as they are very inflexible and perfunctory. Good, basic, fee free banking though, but they were unable to offer me a proper offset account mortgage as I was able to obtain from Citi.

I don't really object to people being defensive of their banking choices - if you find something that works for you, then cool - but what annoys me is people who continually moan about being charged for this, that and the other, but as soon as you suggest moving to a fee free alternative, they look at you as if you have suggested feeding their kids to wolves...


S

Beoz

I don't mean to offend, but its the Asian education system. It works great for rigor, but not for free thinking. I spend a lot of time in Singapore and co so I do have experience in the way it operates and have to adjust accordingly. Don't get me wrong, for some aspects, the rigor is a good thing.

Beoz

Cracking example, you can't go back beyond 3 months in the online statement nor can you export your statement beyond 3 months old.

I asked them to work around the system and provide me electronic access to this data, which took forever because computer says no. In the end they provided me with a PDF with no ability to copy the text out and shove in Excel or similar, even though I had clearly explained what I was after. I suppose I could get to it if I OCR'ed it but really I shouldn't have to go to such extremes.

You are right though. HSBC is all fee free and you can use St George and Westpac amongst other ATM's free. The free transfer between Oz and UK is a winner and the rate is good.

Little things like this but they all add up.

Lloyds for example, online I can go back though statements for years. All exportable.

Does Citi allow this?

bcworld

I just checked and I could download statements for my Citibank plus account back to 2012 when I opened it. Could only export about the last 3 months in a csv file though.

Beoz

Good to know.

Swerv-o

I've just tried too - I can download a PDF statement as far back as 2010, but export to CSV is only the last three months apparently.


S