melaniee

Can anyone recommend a good bank account over here. We are with a popular migrant bank at the moment. Trouble is we are only allowed 5 free transactions per month and with 4 going on BPay for rent that leaves one other maybe for shopping or taking money out and then the bank starts charging-it is going to cost us a fortune at this rate!!

Can anyone suggest anything or are all the banks as bad and backward out here!

Any help please!

bondipom

Banking here is expensive. For a free credit card try www.virginmoney.com.au . Lots of people here use hsbc . I get fleeced by Westpac so avoid them.

ABCDiamond

Bank of Queensland
Ultimate Account premium transaction account that gives you additional benefits when you maintain a minimum monthly balance of $1,000 or more.
No Monthly Fee if Minimum monthly balance $1,000
and 12 free monthly withdrawals if Minimum monthly balance $1,000
(unlimited staff assisted withdrawals)

HSBC Online savings account
Here is what you get:
A high 4.30% p.a.1 interest rate
Fee-free internet banking options
Unlimited HSBC ATM transactions
Five free ATM transactions per month, at any bank ATM2
Free BPAY bill payments, EFTPOS and GiroPost access
Free Telephone Banking access
Cheque book option
Instant access to withdrawals
Interest calculated daily and paid monthly
No minimum balance after opening
Link to your online broking, managed funds or margin lending accounts

Problem is not many HSBC ATMS around. 5 free Non HSBC ATM transactions allowed then $2 per transaction.

Jirrupin

Hi we were with Commonwealth, but moved quickly to HSBC. We have a savings account and you need to have a certain balance to get the benefits. We don't find that the limit of 5 withdrawals from other ATM's is a prob because you can get cashback at the shops.

Only drawback is having to go into the city to cash cheques etc. But a trip into the city can be nice

theguitardoctor

Oops, typing skills are off tonite...hence edit.

Flipping heck...you should try NZ......

With ASB, it's $10 a month to cover all transactions if balance is +$5000....drop below and it adds up ...every EFTPOS is 50c, staff assisted are extra...online setups are $1.50 etc etc..otherwise, it's $3 a month fro a streamline account and anything from 15c to 50c per transaction....

It's regularly added up to $25 a month for us !!! £120 a year to use a bank......roll on getting back to Nat West......

I have a mattress for sale if anyone's interested.....ample room for stuffing cash as it's a queen size !!! Save on those charges....

Rich.

nell m

It wouldn't help you guitar doctor, but we've got an account with The Taranaki Savings Bank, they have no bank charges but I think their cards only work in their ATM's (there are plenty in Taranaki), but it might pay to look for a local bank in Wellington, even for the short time you're going to be there.

S Oldfield

And I thought British Banks were a rip off

Sandra

The cash back facility is how you keep the transactions down - but not particularly safe carrying loads of dosh! I used my switch all the time in the UK and am only getting used to cash again. On the other hand I put all the loose change, including low notes if flush into a huge money box - I get money bags from the bank - $410 going into tomorrow!

Cheers

melaniee

mmm-don't think at the moment that can keep 1000 dollars in bank per month with only one of us working!

Seems like HSBC is a good bet-live in Mandurah so will check out the nearest one. I suppose there is also the Woolworths bank which seems quite good.

Putting everything on a credit card to pay off at the end of the month would be good but with no job and husband self employed don't want to ruin credit history before we have started with being refused a card!

It is a nightmare as well not being able to use Eftpos over the phone like switch.

Looks like we need to escape CW ASAP before they bankrupt us!!

It makes you realise how good the banks in the UK are-or there again there is always the matress idea as suggested by the GD.