Re: Banking then
 

So there is HSBC & HSBC International then HSBC uk?

Re: Banking then
 

yes but remember that is the HSBC here is just a franchise and not run in the same manner as the uK. We are with them and have had no problems though.

Re: Banking then
 

HSBC international is in JBRoad. It is for offshore accounts. there are many threads on this...

HSBC here has been ok, apart from the instances that i mentioned that put me off.

Wife has an account with Standard chartered, not had any bother with them

i guess different people have different experiences....

Re: Banking then
 

There appears to be a huge inconsistency in customer service training, if training is the right word, so peoples' experiences with different banks largely depend on the individuals they are dealing with. If I can't get any sense out of somebody at a call centre in Dubai I'll just hang up, have a cup of tea, take a deep breath or two and call back to talk to somebody else.

Also works in the UK, although all the UK call centres appear to be in India.

Re: Banking then
 

The Dhs70 per month a/c fee that they waive for the first year is around the price of a TT to the UK, so after the first year, you'll be paying Dhs70 per month for the a/c, getting a free transfer? (well not really, they cost Dhs60 to the UK with al ansari exchange), we got the free credit card for 1 year on their regular HSBC a/c (no monthly fees) - but then you do have a free 5K overdraft, which could be useful for all those lil extras that pop up on settling in :)

Re: Banking then
 

Nothing is free....:sneaky: they will make up for the 'lost fees' through very high interest rates that they charge (won't be surprised if it is 17% or thereabouts) on casual overdrafts....and a majority of their customers will probably use the overdraft anyway....

Re: Banking then
 

what ID did you need? just passport and visa?

Re: Banking then
 

You should choose Barclays if you are looking for a good mortgage.PM me for further details!

Re: Banking then
 

You are kidding! AVOID.

Barclays admin is a shocker. Do you work for them by any chance?

Re: Banking then
 

I almost got a mortgage from Barclays last year but I couldn't understand what the mortgage "adviser" was saying- and not just because her English wasn't very good.

When Barclays first started with mortgages they seemed to ship experienced people in from the UK who knew what they were talking about. I don't know where they got this one from. I swear she must have been selling shoes the week before.

Re: Banking then
 

Who would you recommend for a mortage? Is it easy enough to get a second one?

Re: Banking then
 

Carrefour to Barclays in one swift move :rofl:

Re: Banking then
 

Well obviously you speak to me first! :D

Seriously though, drop me a PM & I'll let you know what I can do (no fins, no cowboy hats!).


When you say second mortgage, you mean on a second property? I ask as the term usually refers to a second charge on a property. It is possible to obtain a mortage on a second property, provided there is the income to service it.

Re: Banking then
 

Some of the banks are a bit funny about the way they count rental income when assessing your income for mortgage purposes. Meow, I'm sure, will point you in the right direction.

Re: Banking then
 

Thanks for the tip guys. Was chatting to Barclays here in London (have banked with them for 12 years) to open offshore/onshore accounts. Had my doubts with the level of customer services at Barclays uae when I visited last week. Do Lloyds TSB do internet banking?