What HK banks would you recommend?

[CrouchingDonkey]

Hi everyone!

I'm new to this site, following a recommendation from my friend 'Jimbo'.

I'm moving to HK from the UK next week! Hopefully, I'll be teaching English there, if I can find the work!

What I'm looking for is recommendations for a bank. I'm looking for a standard current or chequing account with EPS (I think it's called), and internet banking.

I guess it's down to personal preference at the end of the day, as I've already asked a few friends. But I'd like to hear any horror stories, or good customer service stories, or any features you think is useful.

Many thanks in advance!

[chillifontain]

Hi,

welcome to HOng KOng. My bf is from the UK as well. He is a teacher as well. He only found his job when he's in HK!!

I would recommend HSBC. He opened a bank account the first day he arrived. You only have to bring along with your passport to open a bank account. On that day, you get a cheque book with a bank card right away!!

As he needs to transfer money back to the UK every month, he did it all through internet banking, money arrived to the UK account in 2 days. Costs HK$130 each time for transfer.

Remember when you open your account that day, you may have to ask the teller to enable an option in your account which you can transfer money to the 3rd party. Just avoid hassle have to visit the bank again when you transfer money.

Hope these information help, if you need a teaching job, please let me know as I know someone who runs the school that needs english teachers.

I used to live in the UK but the HSBC here is miles better service than the ones back home.

Good luck,
chilli

[fionakate]

Hi

I've just moved over here. I opened a bank account at HSBC yesterday and couldn't believe how efficient it was. I paid in a cheque at 3 pm which will be available by 10 am on Monday morning and got an ATM card straight away which means I can access it. Pretty incredible - not least since I'm an hsbc customer in the UK and can't imagine how long the whole thing would have taken. So it may be that all banks are the same, but I was really impressed by them.

[Anthony Green]

Hmmm! Seems to me that P-Culiar people who love to waste their lives in Queues go to bank at HSBC !!!

Me? I have better things to do with the short-end of **MY** life!

[SalseroHK]

go for HSBC. best option here.

[Ramen]

Just a tip here. HSBC are efficient but most HK banks are too. Unless you're loaded with cash and geta Premium account, you'd better be prepared for the long lunch-time queues...

You could try Citibank or StanChar though.

[littleblom]

I'd recommend Hang Seng.. it's linked with HSBC so you can enjoy their big network, but it's service standard is higher than HSBC's.. at least in my eyes :P

Cheers, Blom

[KnowItAll]

If you need a teller's service (overseas cheque deposits are about the only reason we do...) then avoid HSBC. The average wait in the branches can be 90 minutes+ during peak hours.

On the other hand, they do have the best internet banking service and a lot of the issues can be resolved by talking to the customer service staff in the branches (you don't need a teller for everything).

[CrouchingDonkey]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the warm welcome and your advice!

I asked my family which bank they'd recommend. They mentioned HSBC is pretty good, though the queues are very long. Which sums up what you've said.

I'll pick up literature from the banks you've mentioned, and look through the various services they offer. The banks you've suggested are a good starting point for me.

One question (which I should have asked) is, you can use the EPS cards in certain shops, but can you use them to make purchases online? For instance, do they offer Delta, Maestro, or Visa Electron etc? This will be useful until I'm eligible to apply for a credit card.

Thanks!

[littleblom]

Hmm.. I don't think EPS supports online shopping..

Cheers, Blom