Opening banking accounts in Northern Cyprus

Poodledog


Joined: 20/11/2009
Posts: 158

Message Posted:
20/11/2009 17:23

Hi Everyone - just joined Cyprus44 as we are coming to live in north cyprus on January 23rd 2010.

Can anyone please help re banking?

As we shall be living in Karsiyaka, based on location and from what I have read in various blogs, I am considering opening sterling and tl accounts with Iktisatbank. I have not yet spoken to them directly but I am having problems locating a British bank that has a direct relationship with them so that payments made into our British bank can be transferrred to our account with Ikyisatbank with the minimum fuss and charges.

Has anyone got any useful information? It would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
20/11/2009 17:31

My husband transfers money often from a UK bank to Iktisatbank via an account Iktisatbank has a Lloydstsb in London and with no problems.



Why don't you get in touch with the bank directly on 0090 392 815 5351 then dial 4136/7 and you will get directly through to the english department and they can give you up to date charges

sporty


Joined: 06/12/2007
Posts: 685

Message Posted:
20/11/2009 17:34

Hi Poodledog(good name!) This is exactly what i've done,you need to speak to Hirene in Iktisatbank,just up the road in Alsancak.She worked for lloydstsb for years in uk and can give you advice on organising transfers etc from uk. Her email is hayriye.green@iktisatbank.com. Shes very helpful.

nostradamus


Joined: 15/04/2008
Posts: 557

Message Posted:
20/11/2009 18:28

Limassol Turkish Bank uses HSBC International in London as its intermediary. Transfers are very quick in either direction. I have transferred from Limassol here to Nationwide UK and the money has been there in 4 hours as both sending and receiving banks use HSBC Int.

beejay


Joined: 21/03/2008
Posts: 68

Message Posted:
20/11/2009 19:37

Message 3

What are the charges attached to this?

eager


Joined: 23/02/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
21/11/2009 09:08

If banks are on the iban or swift systems then money should be transferable from anywhere in the world.

Stewart


Joined: 19/07/2008
Posts: 1107

Message Posted:
21/11/2009 13:41

Suggest you check out transfer costs...can vary quite a bit between banks ie up to £35 per transfer, and transfer times ( up to 7 days )



FYI I have a HSBC ac both in the uk and Girne, cost is about £7.50 and is transferred within hours, or the next day if you transfer later in the day...all done on line.



Also suggest....transfer a small amount ( ie £50 ) first time..just to check all is ok



Any other info...email me via stua@fsmail.net ( subject NC )

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
21/11/2009 13:43

If you e-mail Figen Kaymak at Creditwest bank, she will answer all your queries her English is perfect. We moved there from HSBC and have no complaints. We are in and out in minutes every time.



figen.kaymak@creditwestbank.com

eager


Joined: 23/02/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
22/11/2009 18:01

Thought it was figen.kuman

magalan


Joined: 17/01/2009
Posts: 227

Message Posted:
22/11/2009 19:21

It is Figen KUMAN.

Another alternative is naci.karanlik@creditwestbank.com. Perfect english and very very helpful.

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
22/11/2009 19:36

You can see the black spots on HSBC where people have been pushing them away with barge poles! Don't touch them!



Richard