mission

Does anyone here bank with Commercial Bank of Dubai, and if so, would you recommend it?
I've been approached by CBD to transfer my account to them - i am very tempted because i am sick of HSBC, but i don't want to change over if they are just as shyte (if not worse) than HSBC.
Ta

Millhouse

what has HSBC done so wrong? It's just a bank.

mission

i deal with HSBC on both a corporate level and retail level and i just find them completely sh*t....the amount of frigging red tape you have to go through just to get the most simple things done is truly a pain in the a$$! Not to mention their interest rates appear to be much higher than other 'local' banks.

ExpatAl

I need to choose a personal bank account soon so I would be grateful for any recommendations with who to go for. I've got a Barclays & HSBC bank account in the UK but open to trying one of the local banks...

Millhouse

They really are all the same - and all banks are local. It's just a bank, the salary goes in, the credit card goes out.

I like SC as the credit card gives me gym membership. HSBC was also ok, I used to get a free apple device once a year or so on their points.

Both processed car loans quickly. People like ENBD/ ADCB/ Mashreq

scrubbedexpat141

I reckon all banks have red tape.

Meow

None of them are anything close to perfect but your best options in the UAE are probably ENBD, RAK, NBAD or ADIB, depending on what exactly you want.

TheShed

Been with HSBC since I arrived almost 20 years ago. I never go to a branch or call their call centre, everything I do is on line. Maybe thats why my experience is better than others.

I've heard bad stuff about almost every bank here but strangely never heard anyone compliment anyone of them. Tells you all you need to know really.

weasel decentral

I like SC, good rewards on their credit cards also. Some red tape but they also used to send people to the office for all that kind of bullshit so didn't have to go to the bank itself.

al dente

I heard the re branding of NBAD was an opportunity to get BAD out of the name. The hierarchy decided, told the markets and then announced it to employees.

Miss Ann Thrope

Interesting, but it's precipitated by the merger with FGB I guess necessitating the change. I think the new name is overstating things a bit though: FAB....

I had numerous idiotic failures with HSBC so fled them; twice in fact, as I had to repeat the process when they acquired the local Lloyds. I'm happier with ENBD which has excellent online banking but they sometimes have me spitting blood. Generally I am very low maintenance for banking but still stupid shit happens.

The "relationship manager" is useless as he tells me that I have to address issues directly with the call centre (which is usually pretty good) as he is not allowed to handle them (but by the way would I like to invest in all these wonderful financial instruments they offer....). Anyway, he has stopped responding to my emails since I asked him - politely - what was the point of the relationship manager if he couldn't actually manage any aspect of our relationship?

mission

so no one here banks with CBD

scrubbedexpat141

No, I don't bank with Cheesy Balls & Dick.

Gavtek

This sums up my experience with ENBD, they have the best online banking by a considerable distance and are generally hassle free unless you need to visit a branch. The other downside to them is that they employ FBI counterfeit investigator level staff to verify signatures on cheques and such like. I had one customer service guy watch me sign a cheque in front of him then 5 seconds later claim that it wasn't my signature because the shape of the loop on one of the letters was a different shape.

I'm with ADCB now that ENBD refused to let me unfreeze my account after 12 months of inactivity with a letter from my new employer and Emirates ID application form. ADCB seem ok, although their refusal to let me have access to cheques until I had my Emirates ID in my hand (they were happy to give me a credit card though) did cause me a lot of personal hassle and expenditure but not sure if that's their own policies or if it's forced upon them by the Central Bank.

mission