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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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 Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 4:04 pm Post subject: Re: Thanks for the banking info |
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| aishaphyllis wrote: |
WOWIE,
I learned more about banking in UAE than I ever thought I would! You all are great! Thanks for the advice. I can't wait to meet the "friendly" bankers!
Thanks
Phyllis |
And it probably helped a few people that are already there!
One thing that I would caution is carrying around large sums of cash. I do know someone who let his salary just add up and at the end of the year pulled it all out in cash - to take to the money changer the next morning. He went out for a quick errand... and when he got back all the money had been stolen from his flat. In effect, he worked for a year for nothing...
Obviously someone saw him take that money out and followed him home. Be sure to make it a direct trip from bank to money changer.
VS |
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johnkg
Joined: 06 Feb 2009
Posts: 127
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| Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 1:32 pm Post subject: |
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| mishmumkin wrote: |
Perhaps the only thing a status account gets you besides alleged easier loan processing (and that could have been due to salary) is the ability to walk upstairs and deal w/ incompetent bank employees there rather than waiting 30 minutes downstairs in the fray. |
There is a better way to avoid the crowds, even without Status. I almost avoid HSBC branches altogether. If I really have to use the teller services, I go when the branch opens. For everything else I go to the Customer Service Center. It's a far better option. The guys there know my name as soon as I walk in and quickly help me with whatever I need. I sit at their desk and receive.... service. I even get to check what they input regarding my account to eliminate error. It's like banking in the old days. Unfortunately, things usually go badly awry after my business leaves the service center. |
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johnkg
Joined: 06 Feb 2009
Posts: 127
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FarangFarang
Joined: 09 Mar 2009
Posts: 20
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| Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:25 pm Post subject: |
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How shocking !
Fancy the HSBC slashing credit limits! Obviously nothing to do with the current economic climate and the scores of foreigners maxing the cards out and fleeing.  |
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johnkg
Joined: 06 Feb 2009
Posts: 127
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| Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 5:28 pm Post subject: |
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| FarangFarang wrote: |
| nothing to do with the current economic climate and the scores of foreigners maxing the cards out and fleeing. |
Funnily enough that's HSBC's line too. |
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uaeobserver
Joined: 05 Feb 2007
Posts: 236
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| Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 4:50 am Post subject: |
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I've dabbled with UNB, HSBC, and Citibank.
Of the three, I'd have to say that hands-down, Union offered the best service.
HSBC nickels-and-dimes you.
Citibank gouges you.
(both of them are charging you for a brand name -- neither delivers).
If you send money home, just get a fast service card from UAE Exchange, and wire funds home through them. They don't exchange funds at a lousy exchange rate, and don't charge the same wiring fees. |
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773
Joined: 29 May 2005
Posts: 213
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| Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 2:21 pm Post subject: |
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UNB has offered excellent service, and I have been very happy with them. However, I pay annual fees to keep my money in a savings account that acquires no interest whatsoever. I just opened an e-saver account with HSBC, which pays 5.3% interest (at this point in time, anyway!). I'll be transferring my money over to that account...at least my money will be making some money, not just sitting there doing nothing. 5.3% is much higher than any account I know of at home (my US HSBC Online account was paying 5% less than 2 years ago...it is now paying 1.75%.  ). |
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