Banks
 

Hi Guys and Gals
Upon arriving in Auckland we will need to open a bank account. Can anybody make any recommendations on which bank to use or more importantly which ones to avoid.

Many Thanks

Mark :unsure:

Re: Banks
 

you can do it in 3-4 days on http://www.quickstartaustralia.com
free for migrants as for as i know

Re: Banks
 

Pretty much any bank in NZ will open an account for you on the spot, but can I put in a good word for Westpac.

I've always found their service excellent and staff always helpful.

Re: Banks
 

We are on our second bank now (only bacause we preferred their account - total moeny).

We opened an account with National Bank, and they were superb

Now with BNZ, and they are just as good :thumbup:

In fact, not heard of a bad NZ bank .. yet!

Re: Banks
 

I'm very happy with the BNZ, my family likes ASB, and in Australia I'm very happy with Westpac.

Only one I'd avoid is ANZ.

Re: Banks
 

We're with ANZ and have never had a problem with them. Always found staff to be friendly and at times when we've needed, they've gone out of their way to help us.

Re: Banks
 

We opened an account from the Uk with BNZ we also liked the account total money :thumbup:

Re: Banks
 

ASB constantly has good reviews, and they seem to be at the front of "value adds", they have "track my spending" where you can set up a tracking of your montly outgoings and get monthly summaries on where your (over)spending...

I am with National bank though, which is fine also, and really not worth the hassle of changing banks..

westpac is good as well..

ask if you are able to get a credit card, and if not, make sure you get a bank that offers a visa debit card...

Any reason youre not opening a bank account whilst in the uk? Most nz banks let you do that in advance of arriving...

Re: Banks
 

The good old Banks thread... :D

Am with HSBC - Very happy, does the job... BUT they lack of branches & dont do Visa debit yet so no online & stuff... Thank god, I still kept my MasterCard & Visa debit from UK :)

Re: Banks
 

Pretty sure every main bank in NZ now does Visa Debit

Re: Banks
 

We're with ASB & they've been fine. Still getting my head around the lack of free banking over here, but that's pretty much standard practice, so nothing I can seriously quibble about.

Since I've only banked with ASB in NZ I can't really compare it to any other banks, either favourably or otherwise, but they've been perfectly good for us :). We actually chose ASB because they have a branch in London, so hubby was able to open an account and to transfer some funds into it before we moved over here...one less job to do when he arrived and he had immediate access to funds, although I'd imagine that other NZ banks must have UK branches :confused:

Re: Banks
 

Can only speak for Westpac but I would check out their Industry association banking packages.

I am a govt employee and we get a good package. Especially if you are buying a home.

http://www.westpac.co.nz/olcontent/o...ation+packages

Re: Banks
 

Hi Guys

Thanks for all the helpfull replies. We never thought of opening a bank account before we left but as we will arrive in Auckland within 48 hours from now its too late. Any way with the exchange rate as it is at the moment my money is stopping in a UK account for the time being, just need a NZ account for day to day expensis.

thanks agin

Mark