Need help choosing where to bank!

[MovingIn07]

I dont really understand why people stick with HSBC. The fact they charge for online local internet transfers but not for writing local cheques is another stupid thing I cannot understand. People are just sheep I guess.

Inertia. And the fact that the MOST painful part of banking in HK (and I think all banks are similar in this regard) is the setting up of the account process ... so once you've finally done it, why go thru all that pain again?!!!

[Retired]

Sometimes it is good to not have too many bank accounts - just simplify to 2 or 3 and try to maintain a priority or premier or gold status - whatever they call it. There's less queue and a little bit more benefits. There's one advantage in Citi over HSBC or SCB, they don't charge any clearance fee for a USD cheque as long as you are a gold status client and have a USD a/c with them.

[Mat]

i've banked for 5 years with SC and never had real issues

I' ve their Priority banking thing (not sure that is the correct name) where you need a balance above X amount. Nothing to complain about altough I do not do much transfer and all.

I'm in the process of buying a flat and they worked a lot more on my case than HSBC when it came to a "good" offer. Their rate may not be the best but they offer various "solutions" that are quite interesting.

Most of my mates bank with HSBC (premier thingy) and not much complain too though,

[answerer]

Check around to see who offers you the lowest remittance fee and which bank is most convenient to you. For instance, HSBC is 110 HKD and Hang Seng is 100 HKD. Keep in mind that your Canadian bank will probably also charge you inward remittance fees.

Or, ask the Canadian embassy. They'll have lots of experience.