[shakyle2906]

HI

ANy info on how bank accounts were set up when you arrived out in NZ ??

Is it worth us bringing any documentation with us to make things easier ??

Some people have said that they have opend accounts up with no probs, even been issued credit cards ???

Sharon

[leeb]

Have been given some info by work about opening accounts before I arrive. the national bank of New Zealand will allow you to open an account up to 90 days before arrival www.nationalbank.co.nz . They have the old Llyods symbol on all their paperwork. There is another bank (who's name has escaped me) that has a branch in london that will allow you to open an account before arrival as well, I'm sure someone will fill in the blanks.

Bear in mind all of the banks seem to have some sort of charge associated with them and some will waiver (some of) these charges if you use internet banking.

Also, HSBC can offer banking services in NZ. But don't try going into a branch over here to try and open an NZ account as what you'll be offered is different to what you'll be offered if you deal with HSBC NZ direct. I've been given the contact name and number of a lady in NZ to contact who will open the account on my behalf. Whilst I don't beleive HSBC have any branches in NZ (sure someone will confirm). It does have the advantage that there are no charges at all for having the account. I've been told that its mostly internet banking (which is what I do most anyway) but you can use one of the national banks ATMs with no charges (once again can't remember which bank). Has anyone used HSBC in NZ as this was the option I was thinking of going for?

I have left the details at work but will happily post them on Mon if your interested.

[shakyle2906]

Have been given some info by work about opening accounts before I arrive. the national bank of New Zealand will allow you to open an account up to 90 days before arrival www.nationalbank.co.nz . They have the old Llyods symbol on all their paperwork. There is another bank (who's name has escaped me) that has a branch in london that will allow you to open an account before arrival as well, I'm sure someone will fill in the blanks.

Bear in mind all of the banks seem to have some sort of charge associated with them and some will waiver (some of) these charges if you use internet banking.

Also, HSBC can offer banking services in NZ. But don't try going into a branch over here to try and open an NZ account as what you'll be offered is different to what you'll be offered if you deal with HSBC NZ direct. I've been given the contact name and number of a lady in NZ to contact who will open the account on my behalf. Whilst I don't beleive HSBC have any branches in NZ (sure someone will confirm). It does have the advantage that there are no charges at all for having the account. I've been told that its mostly internet banking (which is what I do most anyway) but you can use one of the national banks ATMs with no charges (once again can't remember which bank). Has anyone used HSBC in NZ as this was the option I was thinking of going for?

I have left the details at work but will happily post them on Mon if your interested.


Oh yes please, would appreciate it!
Will look at the link in meantime

Sharon

[Trigirl]

most banks now offer free or virtually free banking. with westpac we only have to pay for "manual transactions" (eg paying in a cheque in the branch). you can open accounts with ASB or Westpac by filling in a form in the UK and sending it off - just go onto their websites and look for migrant banking services. we did that with Westpac, sent some money over by HIFX and then just turned up at the branch with our passports and activated the account the day we got here. they gave us debit cards and online banking straight away then once they had proof of my income they gave us credit cards - these took about a week to turn up.

[Cardiff Irons]

Kiwibank accounts can be opened from the UK but you can't access accounts via internet banking until you get to NZ. We just strolled in to our local branch on our first day in NZ and they ordered cheque books, ATM cards etc. There are no bank charges for transactions etc. if you have more than 4,000$ in the account (so if you want to avoid charges for the period between opening and arriving in NZ, you will need to transfer funds from the UK).

Only downside is that they have not given us credit cards and have suggested we apply again in 6 months when we have credit history. As we don't have jobs yet, it might be linked to that though.

[gil]

Whilst I don't beleive HSBC have any branches in NZ (sure someone will confirm).

Actually, they do. There's one in Botany Town Centre near here and I have also seen them in Auckland CBD. Not sure about other areas though...

Gil

[zardell]

Actually, they do. There's one in Botany Town Centre near here and I have also seen them in Auckland CBD. Not sure about other areas though...

Gil



Yes, they do have HSBC banks here, but apparently they are not affiliated/connected to the UK HSBC.

One of our banks in the UK were HSBC, but when we approached them, we found that they could not offer the services we required, nor open the type of accounts we needed etc in NZ.

We found ASB Bank (London) spot on for most of our requirements. Haven't got their number at hand, but do a Google, ring them and ask for Kate Lancaster.

They give interest on your money whilst it's held in UK and transfers are very reasonable. They will also open you NZ account whilst you are still in the UK, so all you have to do upon arrival in NZ is go into any ASB branch to activate it and arrange to collect your eftpos cards/cheque books etc.

Easy peasy.

Good luck with whatever you decide........

Julie

xx

[leeb]

Sharon,

Seems like there are a few options out there for charge free banking. I've left you a PM with the contact details of the lady at HSBC in NZ if you're still interested. The website link is below

www.hsbc.co.nz

If anyone else wants the contact details of the HSBC lady in NZ please let me know and i'll send it in a PM. I just thought it would be a bit rude to put her email address on this forum for all to see without her permission.

Lee