Which bank?
Jul 13th 2006, 8:33 pm
#16
Sydneysider & loving it!!
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Manchester, England - Now Sydney, Australia
Posts: 169
Re: Which bank?
Originally Posted by Vernons
Why? I am guessing they are rubbish then.
Thanks
Thanks
We are with National though and they've always been good - my cousin works for them and set up our accounts before we left the UK.
Good luck!
Mike.
Jul 13th 2006, 8:51 pm
#17
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Ducking distance from Perth Airport!
Posts: 168
Re: Which bank?
Originally Posted by molloymj
Hey I work for Commonwealth! Well Commsec!
We are with National though and they've always been good - my cousin works for them and set up our accounts before we left the UK.
Good luck!
Mike.
We are with National though and they've always been good - my cousin works for them and set up our accounts before we left the UK.
Good luck!
Mike.
Jul 13th 2006, 10:20 pm
#18
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2006
Location: Hell,UK but with a smile now we have our visa's !!
Posts: 303
Re: Which bank?
Ok this may be a daft question...How does this all work with transfering your money over then? I take it if you choose a bank ,open the account up Uk side,will you all then use that bank to transfer over your money? It seems that you would have to check their rates for this aswell first before opening the account OR wiil you use another outside money transfer company?
Oh its too much to take in!
Oh its too much to take in!
Jul 13th 2006, 11:43 pm
#19
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Gold Coast
Posts: 493
Re: Which bank?
We opened a HSBC account, dead easy...
Telephone HSBC international division on 020 7991 7278 and ask to open an Australian bank account. They will forward you an application form. Take this and your supporting documentation to your nearest branch who will certify them for you. Post them to Australia along with $2,000 bankers draft. 4-6 weeks later, we got cheque book, ATM cards and internet security numbers. Incidentally, the online security is way different to here... we got an electronic keyring that gives us the next security number to use when we log on... its always therefore a different number... quite clever I thought.
Compared to the likes of the Commonwealth etc, the HSBC's fee structure is much more favourable. I wont find the lack of branches a problem as I never go to a branch in the UK anyway.
Telephone HSBC international division on 020 7991 7278 and ask to open an Australian bank account. They will forward you an application form. Take this and your supporting documentation to your nearest branch who will certify them for you. Post them to Australia along with $2,000 bankers draft. 4-6 weeks later, we got cheque book, ATM cards and internet security numbers. Incidentally, the online security is way different to here... we got an electronic keyring that gives us the next security number to use when we log on... its always therefore a different number... quite clever I thought.
Compared to the likes of the Commonwealth etc, the HSBC's fee structure is much more favourable. I wont find the lack of branches a problem as I never go to a branch in the UK anyway.
Jul 13th 2006, 11:45 pm
#20
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Gold Coast
Posts: 493
Re: Which bank?
You will get a better rate of exchange if you use a specialist currency dealer. The main ones being OzForex, HIFX and Moneycorp. Having checked the rate with all three, we found Ozforex to be offering the best rate. There service is first class also.
Jul 14th 2006, 12:04 am
#21
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,832
Re: Which bank?
Originally Posted by mand8002
I bank with the Commonwealth and it only costs me $4 per month for unlimited transactions. The only thing I have to pay for on top of this is if I write a cheque, but as that is extremely infrequently it is not a problem. If I had wanted unlimited cheques in the deal too it would cost me $6 per month. My 11 year old daughter has opened an account at the Commonwealth too and they were brilliant in their dealings with her, actually treat her as a person and not an inconvenience which is what we experienced in the UK.
Opened the account in the UK with ease, moved to Oz and moved to a different branch - a doddle, and only yesterday put my funds into a new account as it offers a higher interest rate - I didn't ask, they advised!!!
Can't fault in my books, and they have the most ATM machines as well! ...
Jul 14th 2006, 12:04 am
#22
Australia's Doorman
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: The Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia
Posts: 11,056
Re: Which bank?
We're setting all this up at the moment. It does come as a shock to the system when you read all the charges. My parents insisted on me opening an IMB account last time we were out. But I got a list of their charges when I was in the branch the other day and they'll slap a $2 fee on you if you so much as glance sideways at the building as you're driving past. So - whilst they're great for mortgages and the like - don't use 'em as your day to day bank.
Anyway - I've got the current issue of Money magazine here, which lists the award winning banks and financial institutions along with their recommendations.
Bank of the year is NAB (National Australian Bank), which has things like a visa card with a low 10.75% interest rate on it. Building society of the year is IMB. Non-bank lender of the year is resi (particularly praised for their home loans for the self employed).
Best account though, according to the magazine, is HSBC's Online Savings Account which offers fee-free banking, unlimited HSBC ATM transactions, free BPAY, EFTPOS and giroPOST. You get 4.75% interest on sums over $2000 in the account.
Best credit card goes to St George/SA - but even this commands a $59 annual fee.
Best home loan lender is ANZ. Best business bank is St George.
Anyway - I've got the current issue of Money magazine here, which lists the award winning banks and financial institutions along with their recommendations.
Bank of the year is NAB (National Australian Bank), which has things like a visa card with a low 10.75% interest rate on it. Building society of the year is IMB. Non-bank lender of the year is resi (particularly praised for their home loans for the self employed).
Best account though, according to the magazine, is HSBC's Online Savings Account which offers fee-free banking, unlimited HSBC ATM transactions, free BPAY, EFTPOS and giroPOST. You get 4.75% interest on sums over $2000 in the account.
Best credit card goes to St George/SA - but even this commands a $59 annual fee.
Best home loan lender is ANZ. Best business bank is St George.
Jul 14th 2006, 12:23 am
#23
Here At Last!!
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Brisbane - North Lakes
Posts: 284
Re: Which bank?
Originally Posted by longreach
We opened a HSBC account, dead easy...
Telephone HSBC international division on 020 7991 7278 and ask to open an Australian bank account. They will forward you an application form. Take this and your supporting documentation to your nearest branch who will certify them for you. Post them to Australia along with $2,000 bankers draft. 4-6 weeks later, we got cheque book, ATM cards and internet security numbers. Incidentally, the online security is way different to here... we got an electronic keyring that gives us the next security number to use when we log on... its always therefore a different number... quite clever I thought.
Compared to the likes of the Commonwealth etc, the HSBC's fee structure is much more favourable. I wont find the lack of branches a problem as I never go to a branch in the UK anyway.
Telephone HSBC international division on 020 7991 7278 and ask to open an Australian bank account. They will forward you an application form. Take this and your supporting documentation to your nearest branch who will certify them for you. Post them to Australia along with $2,000 bankers draft. 4-6 weeks later, we got cheque book, ATM cards and internet security numbers. Incidentally, the online security is way different to here... we got an electronic keyring that gives us the next security number to use when we log on... its always therefore a different number... quite clever I thought.
Compared to the likes of the Commonwealth etc, the HSBC's fee structure is much more favourable. I wont find the lack of branches a problem as I never go to a branch in the UK anyway.
Jul 14th 2006, 1:16 am
#24
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Sydney
Posts: 204
Re: Which bank?
Originally Posted by longreach
We opened a HSBC account, dead easy...
Telephone HSBC international division on 020 7991 7278 and ask to open an Australian bank account. They will forward you an application form. Take this and your supporting documentation to your nearest branch who will certify them for you. Post them to Australia along with $2,000 bankers draft. 4-6 weeks later, we got cheque book, ATM cards and internet security numbers. Incidentally, the online security is way different to here... we got an electronic keyring that gives us the next security number to use when we log on... its always therefore a different number... quite clever I thought.
Compared to the likes of the Commonwealth etc, the HSBC's fee structure is much more favourable. I wont find the lack of branches a problem as I never go to a branch in the UK anyway.
Telephone HSBC international division on 020 7991 7278 and ask to open an Australian bank account. They will forward you an application form. Take this and your supporting documentation to your nearest branch who will certify them for you. Post them to Australia along with $2,000 bankers draft. 4-6 weeks later, we got cheque book, ATM cards and internet security numbers. Incidentally, the online security is way different to here... we got an electronic keyring that gives us the next security number to use when we log on... its always therefore a different number... quite clever I thought.
Compared to the likes of the Commonwealth etc, the HSBC's fee structure is much more favourable. I wont find the lack of branches a problem as I never go to a branch in the UK anyway.
work for those without an existing HSBC account ?
Cheers
Neil
Jul 14th 2006, 1:27 am
#25
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,630
Re: Which bank?
Originally Posted by Hutch
Best credit card goes to St George/SA - but even this commands a $59 annual fee.
Last edited by suzy; Jul 14th 2006 at 1:27 am. Reason: typo
Jul 14th 2006, 1:51 am
#26
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 882
Re: Which bank?
Originally Posted by Vernons
Hi
We should hopefully be heading off to Brisbane to start our new life in 8 weeks (pending on completion of the house sale) and want to open a ozzie bank account here before we leave.
I am thinking of Westpac. Who have you all gone with and how have you found them?
Thanks
We should hopefully be heading off to Brisbane to start our new life in 8 weeks (pending on completion of the house sale) and want to open a ozzie bank account here before we leave.
I am thinking of Westpac. Who have you all gone with and how have you found them?
Thanks
IMHO the banks here in Oz are shite..........no clue whatsoever about how to attract intelligent customers who understand how they (the banks) make money. To get a decent service, it is not what you know but who.
..........the reason behind this and many other "issues" here in Oz is simple..........a fundamental lack of people.
I still like it though
........even if it was raining today
Jul 14th 2006, 1:55 am
#27
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 882
Re: Which bank?
Originally Posted by Hutch
We're setting all this up at the moment. It does come as a shock to the system when you read all the charges. My parents insisted on me opening an IMB account last time we were out. But I got a list of their charges when I was in the branch the other day and they'll slap a $2 fee on you if you so much as glance sideways at the building as you're driving past. So - whilst they're great for mortgages and the like - don't use 'em as your day to day bank.
Anyway - I've got the current issue of Money magazine here, which lists the award winning banks and financial institutions along with their recommendations.
Bank of the year is NAB (National Australian Bank), which has things like a visa card with a low 10.75% interest rate on it. Building society of the year is IMB. Non-bank lender of the year is resi (particularly praised for their home loans for the self employed).
Best account though, according to the magazine, is HSBC's Online Savings Account which offers fee-free banking, unlimited HSBC ATM transactions, free BPAY, EFTPOS and giroPOST. You get 4.75% interest on sums over $2000 in the account.
Best credit card goes to St George/SA - but even this commands a $59 annual fee.
Best home loan lender is ANZ. Best business bank is St George.
Anyway - I've got the current issue of Money magazine here, which lists the award winning banks and financial institutions along with their recommendations.
Bank of the year is NAB (National Australian Bank), which has things like a visa card with a low 10.75% interest rate on it. Building society of the year is IMB. Non-bank lender of the year is resi (particularly praised for their home loans for the self employed).
Best account though, according to the magazine, is HSBC's Online Savings Account which offers fee-free banking, unlimited HSBC ATM transactions, free BPAY, EFTPOS and giroPOST. You get 4.75% interest on sums over $2000 in the account.
Best credit card goes to St George/SA - but even this commands a $59 annual fee.
Best home loan lender is ANZ. Best business bank is St George.
Jul 14th 2006, 5:15 am
#28
brown eyes!
Joined: May 2006
Location: Shailer park, Brisbane, AUS
Posts: 450
Re: Which bank?
Originally Posted by mand8002
I bank with the Commonwealth and it only costs me $4 per month for unlimited transactions. The only thing I have to pay for on top of this is if I write a cheque, but as that is extremely infrequently it is not a problem. If I had wanted unlimited cheques in the deal too it would cost me $6 per month. My 11 year old daughter has opened an account at the Commonwealth too and they were brilliant in their dealings with her, actually treat her as a person and not an inconvenience which is what we experienced in the UK.
Jul 14th 2006, 9:14 am
#29
Australia's Doorman
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: The Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia
Posts: 11,056
Re: Which bank?
Originally Posted by Olibeneli
Hi Hutch...........you here yet..........perhaps an Illawarra drink up should be planned ?.........dare I tell you where we found a house......you'll like the lot size..............1000 square meters...
Jul 14th 2006, 9:15 am
#30
Australia's Doorman
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: The Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia
Posts: 11,056
Re: Which bank?
Originally Posted by suzy
Do all credit card suppliers charge an annual fee or are any free?
