Banking - ANZ or WESTPAC?
Jan 4th 2009, 7:47 pm
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 199
Banking - ANZ or WESTPAC?
Looking at opening a bank account in Aus before we emigrate in the next few weeks, does anyone have any thoughts on ANZ or WESTPAC - ideally we would like to use online banking as we do in the UK, they both do it.
Jan 4th 2009, 8:05 pm
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 141
Re: Banking - ANZ or WESTPAC?
Think about Commonwealth Bank. I am not sure if you live near London, but they have a branch there for Aussies working in the UK, but also services for Brits about to make the move to Australia.
I am a dual citizen working back here at the moment (UK) and am arranging my mortgage through them at the moment to buy a house back in Australia. They are very helpful indeed.
Another option is HSBC - they have branches in UK and Australia.
There is online banking with both of them.
Was with Westpac at one point, who were ok really, much like the rest, but they did seem to charge for alot of services from memory.
You could also try a Credit Union in Australia (same a a Building Society).
I also know the St.George Bank is quite good.
Chookas
Jan 4th 2009, 8:49 pm
#3
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: London - but only until I can afford to move back to Sydney
Posts: 938
Re: Banking - ANZ or WESTPAC?
Hi
Think about Commonwealth Bank. I am not sure if you live near London, but they have a branch there for Aussies working in the UK, but also services for Brits about to make the move to Australia.
I am a dual citizen working back here at the moment (UK) and am arranging my mortgage through them at the moment to buy a house back in Australia. They are very helpful indeed.
Another option is HSBC - they have branches in UK and Australia.
There is online banking with both of them.
Was with Westpac at one point, who were ok really, much like the rest, but they did seem to charge for alot of services from memory.
You could also try a Credit Union in Australia (same a a Building Society).
I also know the St.George Bank is quite good.
Chookas
Think about Commonwealth Bank. I am not sure if you live near London, but they have a branch there for Aussies working in the UK, but also services for Brits about to make the move to Australia.
I am a dual citizen working back here at the moment (UK) and am arranging my mortgage through them at the moment to buy a house back in Australia. They are very helpful indeed.
Another option is HSBC - they have branches in UK and Australia.
There is online banking with both of them.
Was with Westpac at one point, who were ok really, much like the rest, but they did seem to charge for alot of services from memory.
You could also try a Credit Union in Australia (same a a Building Society).
I also know the St.George Bank is quite good.
Chookas
I found opening an account from the UK was easier with ANZ than with Commonwealth bank. Also St George are now owned by Westpac.
Jan 5th 2009, 9:01 am
#4
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Sydney AUS - Leeds/Selby/York UK - Sydney AUS (April 2011)
Posts: 797
Re: Banking - ANZ or WESTPAC?
They are all about the same but I think HSBC is the only one where you don't have to pay bank fees, either way if you open one when you arrive in the first 6 weeks you should only need your passport
They are all about the same
They are all about the same
Jan 5th 2009, 9:12 am
#5
Finally in Melbourne!
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Geelong
Posts: 382
Re: Banking - ANZ or WESTPAC?
Have to say, we went with Commonwealth. We opened an account in the London Branch and then validated it upon arrival in Melbourne. We are with the main city branch - we have a personal banker (please note we are not rich!) who has been simply amazing. We do not pay any bank charges and we can ring him with any problems - he even sorted out our car and house insurance at very competitive rates. They also do online banking. Couldn't fault them so far!
Jan 5th 2009, 10:29 am
#6
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Geelong.
Posts: 391
Re: Banking - ANZ or WESTPAC?
Have to say, we went with Commonwealth. We opened an account in the London Branch and then validated it upon arrival in Melbourne. We are with the main city branch - we have a personal banker (please note we are not rich!) who has been simply amazing. We do not pay any bank charges and we can ring him with any problems - he even sorted out our car and house insurance at very competitive rates. They also do online banking. Couldn't fault them so far!
Jan 5th 2009, 10:58 am
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 231
Re: Banking - ANZ or WESTPAC?
Cant comment on westpac, but we moved over a month ago... and we set up an account with ANZ. So far I cant fault them, highly recommended. Branch staff here have been fantastic.... if you have any questions about ANZ feel free to pm me and I will answer all i can.
Jan 5th 2009, 11:12 am
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Banking - ANZ or WESTPAC?
Most banks are pretty much the same.
I've had accounts with most of them now.
Comm Bank, HSBC, ANZ, Westpac, St George plus some that have now gone the way of mergers.
I still have accounts with 4 of those 5, but will never return to one of them.. 'Which' bank ? Do they still run that advert ?
I will also be moving from St George at a convenient moment, after I get the current problems sorted out.
HSBC, ANZ and Westpac have all been consistently OK, although I only use ANZ for credit cards and a childs bank account now.
I've had accounts with most of them now.
Comm Bank, HSBC, ANZ, Westpac, St George plus some that have now gone the way of mergers.
I still have accounts with 4 of those 5, but will never return to one of them.. 'Which' bank ? Do they still run that advert ?
I will also be moving from St George at a convenient moment, after I get the current problems sorted out.
HSBC, ANZ and Westpac have all been consistently OK, although I only use ANZ for credit cards and a childs bank account now.
