Are there any half-decent banks in the UAE???
 

Having previously ditched HSBC for being utterly useless, Standard Chartered are now proving to be no better.

Can anyone actually recommend a bank here???

Re: Are there any half-decent banks in the UAE???
 

I bank with Standard Chartered locally and find them ok but really not that much better than the others.

The problem is that all international banks in the UAE are franchises so you're not likely to recieve the same level of service from HSBC or Barclays in the UAE as you are in a High Street in Europe.

Depending on your particular banking needs here it might be wise to set up an offshore account for internationl transfers and to keep your spare cash safe from the clutches of UAE/Shariah Law!

Feel free to PM me if you need more info - I'm an IFA and known on these boards.

N.

Re: Are there any half-decent banks in the UAE???
 

Left Bank is quite nice

Re: Are there any half-decent banks in the UAE???
 

NBAD have, so far, proved to be a perfectly good bank, with (if you live in Abu Dhabi) a huge ATM network.

Re: Are there any half-decent banks in the UAE???
 

I used HSBC and have no complaints...

although let's see if they freeze my accounts on the 25th of this month.

Re: Are there any half-decent banks in the UAE???
 

Nice idea - though in my experience I only seem to be able to give them money, they don't ever give it back to me :(

Re: Are there any half-decent banks in the UAE???
 

i'm with emirates nbd and they have been fine...that said, i don't exactly stretch their services, my money just goes in...and out rather too quickly, lol...

MM, xx

Re: Are there any half-decent banks in the UAE???
 

I'm with Abu Dhabi Commercial bank and have not had any problems at all. My banking needs are simple though - salary in and no loans. Loads of ATMs around UAE that you can use.

Re: Are there any half-decent banks in the UAE???
 

adcb but they do have their moments too! fact of life here:blink:

Re: Are there any half-decent banks in the UAE???
 

NBAD has been fine for me.

As well as the UNB.

Re: Are there any half-decent banks in the UAE???
 

All of 'em...no decent ones but loads of 1/2 decent!

Re: Are there any half-decent banks in the UAE???
 

I walked into the Khalidiya branch of SCB last week. Within 30 minutes, I was out again having opened and AED and a USD account plus I was given a Visa ATM card on the spot. Now I just need to put money there...

Re: Are there any half-decent banks in the UAE???
 

Can I suggest Lloyds TSB - I don't bank with them personally, but I know people who do, and they are very happy with the service.

Emirates NBD is also quite serviceable - for the time being.

Hopelessly Sh1tty Banking Coruptors is a dreadful bank - stay far away.

The other alternative is under the mattress or buy a big safe from ACE hardware and go that route

Re: Are there any half-decent banks in the UAE???
 

I use both ADIB and ADCB at the moment - fairly routine, simple stuff admittedly, but no complaints whatsoever.

HSBC, whom I have used a fair bit but no longer patronise, are a complete shower.

Let's face it though - Banks everywhere are a rip-off. Banked with NatWest in the UK as they seemed to be the only high street bank not run through semi-literate Indian call centres!

In my experience, ADIB are generally better than any UK banks that I dealt with in recent years.

Re: Are there any half-decent banks in the UAE???
 

I've had no problems with HSBC since opening the account, money goes in, standing instructions go off, cash comes out machine when required, cheques and cash go into the machine on the rare occasions I'm putting money back in. Internet banking works fine, telephone banking is there as a back-up. can't think on any other financial service I'd want from a high street bank that I don't get.

got a credit card with RAK Bank, had no problems with them either.