Job Discussion Forums

[ryanlogic]

What is the best bank for US expats in Turkey?

I need to streamline my banking situation stateside and figure out which bank will beat serve me while I am living in Turkey.

I currently USA Bank of America, and a local credit union, but I'd be willing to switch to a different bank if it would make things easier in Turkey.

Any suggestions?

[nichtta]

I don't know about transferring money between US and Turkish banks.

As for a US bank, you should really consider something like Charles Schwab's debit card. They will refund your ATM fees if you incur any, but you shouldn't if you're using an ATM that accepts Master Card/Visa here in Turkey. They also don't charge you any foreign transaction fees either when pulling out money. You can set it up so that you can transfer money to your CS account for free from BoA or your credit union. However, unlike credit unions, they may decide to close your account without notice, as Chase and BoA have been reported to have done to several customers in the past. It's an excellent way to pull out money while keeping it in USD so it doesn't lose value.

You should also consider a US credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, which is good to keep on hand.

As for a local bank, KuveytTürk has no minimum balance requirement, no maintenance fees, and it's really easy to get a bank account with just a passport and tax number, which you can get for free at your local tax office with your passport. Ziraat Bank is the oldest, and I think it has the most branches and ATMs nationwide, but they charge you a maintenance fee every few months if you don't have a minimum balance or have it set up for automatic payments.

[ryanlogic]

So I should focus on trying to find an international friendly bank stateside, and then I can just set up a basic checking account in Turkey and have my deposits go into the U.S. Based bank where I can just send What I need within Turkey every month?

I've travelled outside the country but I've never actually lived abroad, so I need to make sure I have the whole process figured out.

[nomad soul]

You need to get this sort of info from the organization that hired you since they're familiar with what facilities and resources are available at your job site and the area where you'd be living. I suspect you'd be going through orientation or at least be emailed an information packet regarding your work and living situation. If not, contact them for the email address of a staff member who's in Antakya and can answer those types of questions for you. (If it's an American-based organization, are they able to deposit your pay directly into your US bank account?)

Additionally, find out what your employment status would be in the event you need to be evacuated. Would you be repatriated back to the US and subsequently, be out of a job? Or will they fly you to another location or country where you can continue working for them?

[ryanlogic]

[nomad soul]

[ryanlogic]

[nomad soul]

Update?

[ryanlogic]

[nomad soul]

[nichtta]

Welcome to Turkey!

Don't worry. Things will get better. You just need lots of patience and different expectations.

If you've never read about the classic stages of culture shock, it might be beneficial to look over them just to remind yourself that you might just be in a particular phase and that there's light at the end of the tunnel:
http://www.deborahswallow.com/2010/05/15/the-classic-5-stage-culture-shock-model/

Culture shocks doesn't always work out as mapped out in the link I posted. I know people, who were stuck in the depression stage for about a year then left without ever having moved on, but I think it was more because of their own doing and inability to adapt to a new culture.