Moving to The Philippines
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 55
Moving to The Philippines
Hi to all members and guests. Having been reading posts on here for a few weeks now I thought it might be a good place to get some inside information.
I am looking to retire to The Philippines in just over a year’s time so I want to start preparing the ground in the hope that I can sort out any problems before I get there (forever the optimist).
I was planning on opening a BPI bank account here in the UK and then an account over there but I notice that BPI are not on the list of “PRA Designated / Accredited Bank(s)”. Can anyone recommend which bank to use? Also does anyone know if it’s possible to open an account while there on holiday as I will be visiting at the beginning of July and would like to start depositing some money for use when I am visiting.
Thanks in advance for any help and information.
P.S. Am I the only one suffering from "Me and My Philippine Family" withdrawal symptoms.
I am looking to retire to The Philippines in just over a year’s time so I want to start preparing the ground in the hope that I can sort out any problems before I get there (forever the optimist).
I was planning on opening a BPI bank account here in the UK and then an account over there but I notice that BPI are not on the list of “PRA Designated / Accredited Bank(s)”. Can anyone recommend which bank to use? Also does anyone know if it’s possible to open an account while there on holiday as I will be visiting at the beginning of July and would like to start depositing some money for use when I am visiting.
Thanks in advance for any help and information.
P.S. Am I the only one suffering from "Me and My Philippine Family" withdrawal symptoms.
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 466
Re: Moving to The Philippines
We cannot help you regards opening a Filipino bank account in the U.K.,however it was easy to open an account in the Philippines.I would add that we have a permanent address here and getting a letter of good citizenship (required)from our barrancay was easy.
We now have a very good relationship with the local BDO bank, so good they issued us a credit card with no proof of income or awkward questions.The bank manager has authority to fast track applications. We were given PHP 1M limit !!!
We now have a very good relationship with the local BDO bank, so good they issued us a credit card with no proof of income or awkward questions.The bank manager has authority to fast track applications. We were given PHP 1M limit !!!
#3
Re: Moving to The Philippines
Hi to all members and guests. Having been reading posts on here for a few weeks now I thought it might be a good place to get some inside information.
I am looking to retire to The Philippines in just over a year’s time so I want to start preparing the ground in the hope that I can sort out any problems before I get there (forever the optimist).
I was planning on opening a BPI bank account here in the UK and then an account over there but I notice that BPI are not on the list of “PRA Designated / Accredited Bank(s)”. Can anyone recommend which bank to use? Also does anyone know if it’s possible to open an account while there on holiday as I will be visiting at the beginning of July and would like to start depositing some money for use when I am visiting.
Thanks in advance for any help and information.
P.S. Am I the only one suffering from "Me and My Philippine Family" withdrawal symptoms.
I am looking to retire to The Philippines in just over a year’s time so I want to start preparing the ground in the hope that I can sort out any problems before I get there (forever the optimist).
I was planning on opening a BPI bank account here in the UK and then an account over there but I notice that BPI are not on the list of “PRA Designated / Accredited Bank(s)”. Can anyone recommend which bank to use? Also does anyone know if it’s possible to open an account while there on holiday as I will be visiting at the beginning of July and would like to start depositing some money for use when I am visiting.
Thanks in advance for any help and information.
P.S. Am I the only one suffering from "Me and My Philippine Family" withdrawal symptoms.
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2013
Location: Consolacion,Cebu
Posts: 1,931
Re: Moving to The Philippines
I was planning on opening a BPI bank account here in the UK and then an account over there but I notice that BPI are not on the list of “PRA Designated / Accredited Bank(s)”. Can anyone recommend which bank to use? Also does anyone know if it’s possible to open an account while there on holiday as I will be visiting at the beginning of July and would like to start depositing some money for use when I am visiting.
Thanks in advance for any help and information.
P.S. Am I the only one suffering from "Me and My Philippine Family" withdrawal symptoms.
It is a little more difficult now to open an account here until you have your ACR card or resident visa, but go ask - each branch seems to have different attitudes! A joint account should be OK but be prepared for all the FACTA paperwork -well, one sheet, saying you are not an American citizen.
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,643
Re: Moving to The Philippines
Hi to all members and guests. Having been reading posts on here for a few weeks now I thought it might be a good place to get some inside information.
I am looking to retire to The Philippines in just over a year’s time so I want to start preparing the ground in the hope that I can sort out any problems before I get there (forever the optimist).
I was planning on opening a BPI bank account here in the UK and then an account over there but I notice that BPI are not on the list of “PRA Designated / Accredited Bank(s)”. Can anyone recommend which bank to use? Also does anyone know if it’s possible to open an account while there on holiday as I will be visiting at the beginning of July and would like to start depositing some money for use when I am visiting.
Thanks in advance for any help and information.
P.S. Am I the only one suffering from "Me and My Philippine Family" withdrawal symptoms.
I am looking to retire to The Philippines in just over a year’s time so I want to start preparing the ground in the hope that I can sort out any problems before I get there (forever the optimist).
I was planning on opening a BPI bank account here in the UK and then an account over there but I notice that BPI are not on the list of “PRA Designated / Accredited Bank(s)”. Can anyone recommend which bank to use? Also does anyone know if it’s possible to open an account while there on holiday as I will be visiting at the beginning of July and would like to start depositing some money for use when I am visiting.
Thanks in advance for any help and information.
P.S. Am I the only one suffering from "Me and My Philippine Family" withdrawal symptoms.
#6
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 55
Re: Moving to The Philippines
Yes, it is much as I expected but you never know if someone has found a loophole in the regs. It would have been nice to have finances in place before I get there.
Thank you all for your helpful replies, I’m sure I will have lots more question in the coming months.
Thank you all for your helpful replies, I’m sure I will have lots more question in the coming months.
#8
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 55
Re: Moving to The Philippines
After todays new it looks like BPI probably isn't the best bank to go with after all.
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,643
Re: Moving to The Philippines
I think its fair to say UK banks have had problems as well at some time or another. usually BPI are ok. In saying that i cannot get their web page up let alone sign in
#10
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2013
Location: Consolacion,Cebu
Posts: 1,931
Re: Moving to The Philippines
I can get the bpiexpressonline website OK and updates are on there, including one this morning explaining why they have had to take online banking offline. All branches open until 7.30pm - managers are OKaying withdrawals etc. No different from the problems certain UK banks have/are having from time to time. A pain in the backside yes, but being British we will survive.
#11
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 55
Re: Moving to The Philippines
Is your money protected there the same as it is in the UK?
#13
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,643
Re: Moving to The Philippines
I can get the bpiexpressonline website OK and updates are on there, including one this morning explaining why they have had to take online banking offline. All branches open until 7.30pm - managers are OKaying withdrawals etc. No different from the problems certain UK banks have/are having from time to time. A pain in the backside yes, but being British we will survive.
#14
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2013
Location: Consolacion,Cebu
Posts: 1,931
Re: Moving to The Philippines
Just tried signing in on line the page is still down.......so how did you manage it? https://www.bpiexpressonline.com/?URL