Bank recommendations
 

Hi All,

First post in sometime, however back with vengeance :)

I been doing allot of internet site research and for the love of google, its been more frustrating and I've now hit an information overload and wonder if someone can please assist.

What i need is in preparation for my move to the land down under later this year, i wanted to see if anyone has any recommendations on opening a bank account from abroad. (Currently UK account with me being based in South Africa)

I'm interested in the following:
Having access to the account before i move to start moving funds to, generate interest etc. Internet and mobile app banking is a must :)When i sell my property for the funds to also be loaded into this account (not sure on the limitations etc on this)

As said, recommendations are welcome to ease my google love :)

Thanks
Marc

Re: Bank recommendations
 

I use HSBC as my main Oz bank, they do an adequate job but their are few branches except in the capital cities but you can access third party ATM free of charge.
HSBC has a branch in SA which would be able to set up an account for you in Oz with internet access to transfer funds into.

BUT you might not be able to transfer funds out of it until you prove your identity actually in Oz.

Most of the big UK banks have arrangements with one of the major Oz banks and could do the same (Barclays ties with Westpac).

Re: Bank recommendations
 

I am also with HSBC. Worth it for instant international transactions and access but you will need a Premier account to see those benefits.

Re: Bank recommendations
 

Thanks :)

Re: Bank recommendations
 

Commbank worked for us and still does.

We used exchange4free to transfer funds from South Africa. They were good. Also used them to transfer funds from the UK when we sold out house there too.

Re: Bank recommendations
 

Comm Bank worked well for us too. Paid money in regularly from the UK, only thing was we couldn't remove any until we were here but that wasn't a problem for us.

Re: Bank recommendations
 

Thanks for the advice, ive made an enquiry with them :)

Re: Bank recommendations
 

We bank with HSBC, ANZ and Bankwest. All work out well for us and we don't pay any fees

I'm in the middle of moving our offset mortgage to ING Direct, which also seems to get a lot of positive feedback

Re: Bank recommendations
 

I use Westpac, but that's because it has ties with Barclays (my U.K. account) and DBS (my Singapore one). Free cash withdrawals at ATMs in all 3 countries, but bloody little else in terms of benefits really.

Re: Bank recommendations
 

You don't need to bank with Westpac to use your Barclaycard at Westpac to withdraw money as I'm with HSBC and use Westpac to withdraw money from Barclays. You can also use Westpac ATM free with your HSBC card (because HSBC ATM are few and far between in Oz).

Re: Bank recommendations
 

Indeed.

You can use the following fee free with a HSBC card.

HSBC.
Westpac.
St.George.
BankSA.
Bank of Melbourne.