jjonboy

Halifax have now bought Bank West

ABCDiamond

Is anyone else confused, or is it just me ?

Coffee time ................

pandya_m

Hey I am opening an Account with HSBC today?
Whats all the confusion about?
Am I going right? stupid question....though

KatieStar

I am not sure what non fee paying means. Are there no charges for withdrawing cash, using eftpos etc? Or does it mean there is no set monthly fee?

Hubby and I pay $5 a month and that covers us for unlimited cash withdrawels, eftpos and internet banking. This is with Westpak. We have been with them for a few months and so far have had no problems with them.

We compared charges with oter banks and found theirs the best for us.

Katie

ABCDiamond

No bank is "right" for "everyone"

All banks are "right" for "someone"

It comes down to what you want, if you want to pay anything or not, etc.

HSBC works for many people, and can work out costing nothing at all.
But for some others it can cost something, depending on the ATM usage, although from a poll done recently, most people would fit in to the free 5 monthly uses of any other banks ATM's that they allow.

Even the true Australian Banks are beginning to come out with better options than they use to do, that seem more suitable, for just $5 per month.

fraser

They all look like a rip off to me

arkon

They are. But most of them have a fee free option if you keep a minimum balance in them. mine is $5000 and there are then no fees. I accidently let the balance drop to below $5000 one month and incured a $13 fee, even tho they give you a $6 rebate.

fraser

I just spoke to someone at ANZ (do they have an Indian call centre?) they said I can open an account with no interest for $5 a month but if I want one with interest I have to pay for breathing near one of their branches

Ps. which bank are you with?

pandya_m

ABCDiamond... Thanks a million for all the posts that esp. you and other were making regarding bank. I finally made my mind about HSBC.
I went to Swaston Street, Melb. Today and finalize the Deal

The story goes this way.
I went to them yesterday, a nice gentleman asked me my details. After seeing all he told me that the Bank will need a letter stating my residence proof. I told them I just arrived cant help much but with Hotel details. He said not a problem just go ahead and get a letter.
Next day, same gentleman recongnize me, I showed him the letter and was unhappy again since he find some fault out there, but I made notes of what Bank was expecting....! Whatever, I requested him to let me talk to the Manager so he went in and discussed the case for 15 minutes. Later the manager came out and told me that I cant open account due to letter has flaws. The flaws were the room no. was not mentioned... I fould silly, and expressed them as well. But she politely said that its Bank Norm. they cant deviate. All bad for me at that time. I told her let me talk to her manager. After requesting so much (since I wanted to finsish the busniess today itself), she thought and said, let she talk to her manger...I think her manager name was Cherie...She was kind to let me forward the letter with her reference... and all done...


Folks please note there are horrors what I hear of bank Reference where you been banking since 4/5 years.. No one in HSBC bothered here. Other banks dont even bother to get your address. They just want your PP and all done.

But end of story opened my HSBC account...
--- THE END ---

ABCDiamond the poll was interesting and so were the feedbacks that you seniors provided...thanks a lot. HSBC is good to Bank with.

ABCDiamond

Not all of them

HSBC is totally free to me. With no minimum balance to be kept.

and the

ANZ Credit Card actually pays me to use it

Its like all things, you need to look at what's available, and choose the best option.

Don't just believe all you hear, and except it

ABCDiamond

If I was you I would change your bank !!

fraser

I've phoned a few and i haven't liled what i've heard from the horses mouth.
I'd like to bank with HSBC but isn't it they who you have to use the PO with?

arkon

I'm with National Australia Bank, An have been very happy with them, except the fees of course. But like I said if you keep the minimum balance then its fee exempt. I have 2 accounts with them, a flexaccount that costs $6 per month and you get a $6 rebate, so its free solong as you keep it above $5000. The second is a NAB (National Australia Bank) Cash management accelerator account, which works like a depoisit account back home. I get about 5.25% interests on the money in that one but you have to transfer money to the flexaccount if you want to spend any. this is easy and immediate and can be done from your web browser. I hate the fees they charge out here and sofar I've managed to avoid them all bar once.

If you want a credit card then the Virgin Australia mastercard seems the best. it has no fees, and you get mates rates for buying specific things like car hire etc. Don't be swayed by an aussie telling you to get something that has flybys ( a form of loyalty system). The typical credit card anual fee out here is about $89. But you'd need so many flyby points to recoup this its just not worth it. But the country is flyby crazy. Personally I prefer no fees!
Hope this helps.

ABCDiamond

You can use any banks ATM up to 5 times per month, without being charged.

You can also use any post office without being charged. I find my local PO has smaller queues than the Banks, so no problems to me, but then I've only used them 2 or maybe 3 times in the last two years anyway.

I agree that most banks will charge, but there are ways around these things.

fraser

Thanks mate could you put up the London contact number again please