Banking then
Feb 27th 2008, 10:24 am
#1
why ayeeeee man!
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Disco Gardens...
Posts: 11,370
Banking then
who's best to bak with over here? bearing in mind I'll be sending cash home every month to my english account,
cheers all.
cheers all.
Feb 27th 2008, 10:39 am
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2007
Location: UK... for now...
Posts: 355
Re: Banking then
From my experience, Barclays are crap. Mortgage dept was great, but banking were f'kin useless.
HSBC have been a lot better when we have dealt with them. They are far more convenient (more locations and ATMs) and they also have t'internet banking.
HSBC have been a lot better when we have dealt with them. They are far more convenient (more locations and ATMs) and they also have t'internet banking.
Feb 27th 2008, 10:44 am
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Dubai
Posts: 13,547
Re: Banking then
Mashreq is awful and will be closing my account there. Have new account with NBAD due to salary transfer and can't say its that good.
Feb 27th 2008, 11:00 am
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Duba, Saudi Arabia
Posts: 1,584
Re: Banking then
I've just opened up a HSBC Status account. Was very easy and v easy to transfer money back to the uk. Also they give you 2 credit cards. I decided to say no to these and get the Etihad credit card that HSBC do. You get 1 mile for every dirham you spend and also access to all the lounges etc.
Feb 27th 2008, 11:17 am
#5
A Natural Blonde
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: Dubai
Posts: 410
Re: Banking then
HSBC here charges for everything even if you need to amend a standing order, transfer etc..etc...
We bank with them, and they have been great, however, I've heard Lloyds/TSB are better where you can get free transfer to UK bank accounts and there are no penalties when paying off loans early.
We're thinking of switching ASAP.
We bank with them, and they have been great, however, I've heard Lloyds/TSB are better where you can get free transfer to UK bank accounts and there are no penalties when paying off loans early.
We're thinking of switching ASAP.
Feb 27th 2008, 11:23 am
#6
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Dubai
Posts: 888
Re: Banking then
I use HSBC and they are okay- been with them for about 5 years and haven't had any problems. Transfers to HSBC in the UK via the internet happen in hours (sometimes minutes) rather than days. However, I've also heard good things about Lloyds TSB. Haven't heard anything good about any of the other banks out here.
Feb 27th 2008, 11:42 am
#7
Bored liberal
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Over there ----->
Posts: 13,713
Re: Banking then
IMO - HSBC are great if you have Premier accounts (i.e. have plenty of money in accounts) both onshore & offshore, whereas Lloyds TSB is best for those who don't keep much money in the account.
Feb 27th 2008, 12:59 pm
#8
**** it we'll do it live
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Dubai
Posts: 7,892
Re: Banking then
to transfer money, take it out of the bank in cash and send it via western union or thomas cook al rostamani etc. they are far cheaper and we find that the money is always in the account within a few hours at most.
Feb 27th 2008, 4:40 pm
#10
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: at the end of the rainbow
Posts: 124
Re: Banking then
I've been advised that Lloyds TSB is the best. I'm with Barclays but will open a Lloyds account before I head out to the ME.
Feb 27th 2008, 5:48 pm
#12
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 389
Re: Banking then
just gone to HSBC as company bank there, so no minimum in bank required, 1 free transfer a month, free credit card for 1st year, free 5k overdraft, and usually 70dhs month but waved for 1st year
Feb 27th 2008, 6:46 pm
#13
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 3,968
Re: Banking then
bargain...