Bank accounts

[maxxangel]

Okay, another daft question which has probably been answered umpteen times. I'd like to open an account from over here, but want a bank that has plenty of brances or ATMs all over Oz. A few people have mentioned Westpac. Is this a good bet?

Also if we open something now, but don't go over for a few months, will we still have to pay fees or will they put it on hold until we get there?

Cara

[The Broughtons]

Westpac was our choice. It was really easy to do and with our account, as long as there was $3000 in the account the fees are waived. We had 28 days in which to pay a minimum of $2000 to activate the account so sent enough to ensure the mimimum was there.

There are loads of branches everywhere and ATMs. You are not charged as long as you use a westpac ATM. Do read the complete list of what you are charged for - it cost 60c to print a mini statement at the ATM but with our account cheques are free unlike others.

We are more than happy with Westpac. We linked a maxi account to our choice account. The choice doesn't earn interest whereas the max does at a significantly higher level - we left all our extra cash in the maxi and just keep what we need to in the every day account. Internet banking is also so simple.

Hope this helps

Felicity

[maxxangel]

Originally Posted by The Broughtons

Westpac was our choice. It was really easy to do and with our account, as long as there was $3000 in the account the fees are waived. We had 28 days in which to pay a minimum of $2000 to activate the account so sent enough to ensure the mimimum was there.

There are loads of branches everywhere and ATMs. You are not charged as long as you use a westpac ATM. Do read the complete list of what you are charged for - it cost 60c to print a mini statement at the ATM but with our account cheques are free unlike others.

We are more than happy with Westpac. We linked a maxi account to our choice account. The choice doesn't earn interest whereas the max does at a significantly higher level - we left all our extra cash in the maxi and just keep what we need to in the every day account. Internet banking is also so simple.

Hope this helps

Felicity

Yes that's a great help, thanks Felicity.

So is the maxi account like a savings account? Also once you are using the account do you still get your fees waived as long as you keep that $3000 minimum in the account?

Cara

[ali]

we're with westpac too and haven't had any problems with them. Our mortgage is with them too.

Ali