Scotty1981 Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 Hi I am looking to open up an Australian Bank Account ready for when we migrate in October 2016, does anybody have any good / bad experiences they wish to share before I decide which bank to go with..... Many Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srg73 Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 All the banks are very old fashion, we are with Com Bank and now we have their trust, they are fine. As a joke, try an obtain an authorised overdraft, about as unhelpful as can possibly be. S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 We opened an account with Westpac prior to migrating - still with them 9 years later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gbye grey sky Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 I am with NAB as we did the Moneycorp/NAB link up when moving our money over. That all worked really well and setting up the account and transferring money over was a breeze. NAB made a right mess of organising our bank cards though which was a real pain when we first arrived. In the UK we bank with First Direct who in my view set the gold standard for personal banking. As a result though I had not visited a bank branch for years until I came here. If you love queuing to see someone then NAB is fine too as the staff have always been very friendly and helpful. We haven't had any issues since. I suspect they are all much the same here judging by what I hear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight7 Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 We're with CBA but I think one is as good as another really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DT55 Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 We used WestPac when we migrated who were fine, but switched to CUA as part of our offset mortgage, who are also fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Agree with NAB, your cards will be waiting for you on arrival, rather than having to wait five working days for them in the post. Also if you use Moneycorp there are no receiving fees when you move money from Moneycorp to NAB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmjg Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 The big 4, WANC are all ok Maybe look at changing to one of the smaller credit unions once you are on your feet and looking at linking mortgages to credit cards to everyday banking accounts. Its taken six years since coming back, but im finally looking at moving everything from westpac, who ive been with since i was 15, to the teachers credit union, due to the packages they can offer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calNgary Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 We set an account up with ANZ prior to arriving , almost 10 years later and we still use them. I've never had an issue with their service and if you have insurance, accounts etc with them the charges are minimal. Cal x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 ING direct. Don't pay for any ATM and money back on contact less purchases (2%) easily the best unless you like going into branches. Also awesome mobile App. Also home loan rate is way more competitive than big 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parley Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Always laugh at these threads. Everyone nominates their own bank. Every bank gets nominated by someone and OP remains clueless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 ING is the best though Parley. Unless going into branches like its the 90s is your thing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickyplum Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 I'm with CBA (tried to go with ING but they was a reason I couldn't - can't remember it now). Had no problems opening the account and picking up debit card. They also kindly approved my credit card application a few months after arriving, with a pretty good credit limit. The online banking (+app) is pretty good but they are not amazingly helpful in branch. Availability of ATMs is always good as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith and Linda Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Looks like any bank will do then, however if you are already with the HSBC in the UK then maybe easier to open an HSBC with them here in Aus from the UK, doing this may also help in transferring your credit history for mortgage and credit cards here with them, and then look at changing banks once you have settled and sussed the field out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmjg Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Looks like any bank will do then, however if you are already with the HSBC in the UK then maybe easier to open an HSBC with them here in Aus from the UK, doing this may also help in transferring your credit history for mortgage and credit cards here with them, and then look at changing banks once you have settled and sussed the field out! I tried to do that a few years ago and was told that they are different entities, and no connections could be made between the two. It may have changed though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibbs Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Find out where you will be working, and pick the one closest to the office. Any of the "big 4" is fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith and Linda Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 I tried to do that a few years ago and was told that they are different entities, and no connections could be made between the two. It may have changed though About 18 months ago enquired regarding maybe buying a (ready for) retirement place in UK and having a small mortgage to be able to do so, I still have my UK HSBC account but no longer have my Aus account, but I would have had to basically open and change all my Aus banking over to HSBC so they can see & assess my financial standing and they can then link accounts across the world. I would add that I closed my Aus HSBC account due to the ltd number of branch's and fee free atm' at the time, I think that still applies but the growth of internet banking and cash back at supermarkets negates that problem these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Find out where you will be working, and pick the one closest to the office. Any of the "big 4" is fine. Why do you need the closest one though? Can do everything easily online/phone these days. ING is better as you can use any ATM and BankWest can use all of the big 4 I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooba Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 I've gone with nab simply because they have no fees. If I were already in Australia I'd look closely at ING because I'm a customer in Canada and they are awesome. Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibbs Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Why do you need the closest one though? Can do everything easily online/phone these days. ING is better as you can use any ATM and BankWest can use all of the big 4 I think. Because I've needed to go in and :- Change my Business savings account Remortgage a house Open a joint account Change my household insurance type Closing 3 personal accounts and a credit card, and then re-opening 2 accounts All required signatures and speaking to an actual person. All were done immediately and didn't require me waiting for email/post and returning forms. Having one close means you can pop in at lunch and get stuff done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rossmoyne Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 They are all much of a muchness from what I can gather. I currently bank with Bankwest and pay no fees on my everyday account. Bankwest customers can also use CBA ATM's for free, but are charged for any other bank ATM's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Because I've needed to go in and :- Change my Business savings account Remortgage a house Open a joint account Change my household insurance type Closing 3 personal accounts and a credit card, and then re-opening 2 accounts All required signatures and speaking to an actual person. All were done immediately and didn't require me waiting for email/post and returning forms. Having one close means you can pop in at lunch and get stuff done. Fair enough I'd rather do all this online. ANZ made me go down their branch for credit card, was a right pain and an annoying wait around. Citibank on the other hand was painless. ING I found painless for home loan and a much better rate too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JockinTas Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Agree they are all much of a muchness. We've been with ANZ for 30 years. No complaints. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibbs Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Fair enough I'd rather do all this online. ANZ made me go down their branch for credit card, was a right pain and an annoying wait around. Strangely, I work in IT, and I'd rather speak to someone. I've booked appointments via email, and then just walked in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rossmoyne Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 I have never had problems with Bankwest whether I phone in or walk into a branch. Bonus being that my local branch is open until 9pm on Thursdays and all day Saturday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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