Which bank to open an account with ?

[jensanco]

The equity we have from the house it should have been good then. Maybe it depends who you speak to, the guy we spoke to was still banging on about £100

[Tickled Pink]

We are using ANZ, we opened it from the UK before we left, they rang us (in the UK) to sort bits out. The day we arrived we went to the nearest branch, got cards etc. Internet banking made everything really easy. The staff are very friendly, whichever branch we go to, and there is no monthly fee. I think they waivered it as my husband has a job.

We also were given a code from ANZ for Emirates which gave us a 50kg baggage allowance each on our first entry on our visa.

Overall, it has worked out really well and we're happy with the bank.

[HeywoodMonkey]

We still bank with Westpac which wasn't by any calculated decision, they had been good with us but were non helpful when I went to see about a mortgage with them, so I went next door and got one with the NAB who were more than helpful, subsequently apart from the odd bit of banking I kept with Westpac the NAB now has 90% of my business.

[Jobo]

avoid ANZ they are rubbish, branches are alwasy busy, charge you for everything they can think of and their on-line bank is crap

we banked with Commonwealth and found them to be very helpful, good internet banking and fast service. we only went with ANZ for our mortgage (were advised they were the speediest for construction loan we wanted) but wish we'd used CBA.

[Tickled Pink]

I think this is largely a subjective topic as ANZ have been great with us! We use 2 branches regularly, and have never had to wait more than 5 minutes in either. The staff have been really friendly every time we've gone in.

Take as you find I say!

[flag of convenience]

Moved a substantial amount of my business to NAB just last week after what I considered to be a rather indifferent attitude by ANZ ......I change banks for what suites me no question of bank loyalty.

[smithinoz]

Thanks Simon we are in the butt end of the country as I call it (Norfolk) and unfortunately a trip to London is highly unlikely, due to hubby's shifts but it's food for thought if a day should crop up?

Just thought I would say "hi" - we are Norfolk folks too.

[rammygirl]

You can open an account with Westpac on line from the UK just follow the links from the website. No need to go to London. We have used them for ages but they don't have as many cash points in SA as other banks and you get charged for using non Westpac ones. Not really an issue as we live in UK now so just need it when we are in Oz and for our rental income. The on line banking is good and easy and there is a 24 hour call line if you have any issues.

NAB seem to be pretty good too.

[jasperyogi]

We now have an account with NAB, opened from the uk with no fees at all. Cards to be collected from the bank when we arrive. Really easy forms to fill in with a quick 3 day acceptance email with all our details etc

[Hyena]

Hey there, thanks for posting this I was about to ask just the same thing as we are moving to near Melbourne in early June. Where abouts in Norfolk are you from? Sorry for being nosey but that's where I'm from. Wishing you best of luck xx