Opening a bank account

diggy


Joined: 07/08/2007
Posts: 41

Message Posted:
20/07/2008 19:15

Hi



I know there are loads of postings about this but I keep looking from the "banking header" and can't find what I need. We are coming out to TRNC in a weeks time and need to open a bank account. We have a UK one with the HSBC. Does anyone know what paperwork we will need to open one. We are buying a property but it isn't yet finished so we don't have an adress as yet in TRNC.



If you could help it would be much appreciated.



Cheers



Tracy

ilovemydogs



Joined: 20/04/2008
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
20/07/2008 19:22

go to your own bank in the u.k and you can open one from there. we have just done it. it is a bit of a palavor. you get an english version and a turkish one and your signatures have to be witnessed by 2 people at the bank .

we thauht it would save us time when we get to cyprus. it is all activated at this end then when you get there you have to call in the bank and register for tax i do believe.

having read what people have said about the waiting times in the h s b c bank that's why we decided to do it here

Chris


Joined: 26/03/2008
Posts: 454

Message Posted:
20/07/2008 20:20

I opened one with Garanti bank in Girne, all I needed was my passport and copy of contract of sale, opened it with 10ytl, she gave me a sterling account and high interest account, 10 days later your plastic card comes, is held at the bank for up to one month, so you can access hole in the wall.

Only tip for all this is go early morning, otherwise you will need thermos flask and sleeping bag!!



Chris

diggy


Joined: 07/08/2007
Posts: 41

Message Posted:
20/07/2008 21:07

Thanks for the advice. We'll try the uk first and if not we'll make sure we have a copy of our contract with us.



Many thanks



Tracy

paul90


Joined: 07/11/2007
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
20/07/2008 21:07

I have an HSBC account in UK.

Uk branch will charge you £150 (through their overseas dept) to open account in Girne.

I went to HSBC in Girne with just my passport and proof of UK address and opened both sterling and Turkish Lira accounts.

Because I do not have an address for the TRNC house they used my UK address and will post debit cards to it.

Hope this helps.

diggy


Joined: 07/08/2007
Posts: 41

Message Posted:
20/07/2008 21:13

Thanks Paul that's a great help.



Brian

brian24001


Joined: 23/03/2008
Posts: 606

Message Posted:
21/07/2008 09:49

Remember, if you are living out of town, you may want to bank more locally.

TurkBank have branches in Alsancak and Karaglanaglu if you living west of Kyrenia, Credit West als on Karaglanaglu.

Not sure the other way (east of town), never go there.

If you do bank with HSBC, you will also need a tent and food parcels for the wait to be served (in our experience).

You will also get slightly better interest at Turkish (underwritten) banks, TurkBank, Is Bank thank HSBC, and even better at the Cyprus babks, but remember, with higher returns come higher risks.

To find a load of older liks on banking, just type 'banking' in the search box at the top of the page and it will serch the board for you, loads on llinks there, in fact more than 10 pages of them.

denali2007


Joined: 04/01/2008
Posts: 111

Message Posted:
21/07/2008 10:01

We opened an account with Creditwest bank by communicating with the Manager on the internet. Very efficient - the only snag being at our end when the funds got lost somewhere, but all ended well and it was so easy.

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
21/07/2008 10:29

Have accounts with HSBC and Iktisatbank.



No problems with either to open.



There are busy periods in HSBC but you just need to think about when and why those times are and do not go then. Couple of clues so as not to give away all the best, avoid monday morning and friday pm. Avoid lunchtimes. Hang on, no different to the UK!!!!!!!!!!!

brian24001


Joined: 23/03/2008
Posts: 606

Message Posted:
21/07/2008 12:17

And don't expect service like this from HSBC!

http://www.cyprus44.com/forums/3903.asp msg #1

Brains


Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 37

Message Posted:
21/07/2008 15:37

Hello there Tracy, let me extend a warm welcome to you before you arrive!!



You only need to have your passports as ID and a nominal fee to open your account. This is true of Universal Bank (where I work as the customer representative) but I cannot speak of other banks, but I'm sure that they will be the same.



Pleasant moving!

Stewart


Joined: 19/07/2008
Posts: 1107

Message Posted:
21/07/2008 18:52

Hi, opening an account in NC is easy but can be long, I use HSBC.

Details are the same as Chris's reply. They have internet banking, takes 2 minutes to transfer money back to uk. ( a week to transfer it from UK to NC )

Good luck

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
21/07/2008 20:22

Have no delays with transfer from UK.



Use HSBC International. I place request on internet and cash is in account in Girne in less than 24 hours. No charges on Premier account.



Internet is very easy to use for setting up on line savings too. Only issue for understandable reasons the rates are less than local banks at present.

old and tired


Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 3

Message Posted:
29/07/2008 23:39

Do you know e.mail address for Garanti Bank in Kyrenia.And do you know ijohnnterest rates on sterling;

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
30/07/2008 09:08

oandt



Interest is around 5% less tax on sterling accounts.

laptagal


Joined: 28/05/2008
Posts: 549

Message Posted:
04/08/2008 13:06

Hi, we have a UK HSBC account and opened a HSBC account when last in NC. We were given customer numbers and tele-banking pin numbers and told that bank cards would follow to UK in the post. That was a couple of months ago and no cards, as yet. I would like to transfer some money by internet banking but can't work out how to do this (although I do this often in UK) - help appreciated.

Wine Man


Joined: 11/09/2008
Posts: 74

Message Posted:
11/09/2008 23:56

Diggy - have you found out how the banking system works yet? Because I need to find out also as I do not wish to keep travelling to TRNC to open bank accounts.....

JonnyJaw


Joined: 23/10/2008
Posts: 1

Message Posted:
23/10/2008 13:42

will I be able to open an account if I don't live in NC?

jock1



Joined: 06/01/2008
Posts: 3786

Message Posted:
23/10/2008 14:02

Only if you send your money to me jonny law, and welcome to the forum.

brandy sour


Joined: 09/04/2008
Posts: 310

Message Posted:
23/10/2008 14:21

Yes we did it took months to get our card thou in the end we went on the HSBC web site ordered our card worked out when we would be out next because they only keep them for a month and collected from the bank in Kyrenia we was surprised it was waiting for us i think the Girl in the bank was as well.