Can anyone recommend a good Internation bank? I have had trouble with my bank in the states for three years since moving abroad.

I am going back to the states in five weeks and I am going to remove my money and set up and acct elsewhere.

Just wondering if anyone here could suggest a good bank. (I know, those two wrods don't go together).

Thank you.

dont know of any, just wanted to show my support

prb said:

dont know of any, just wanted to show my support

Awww thanks!

I have been trying to tranfer money for the rental house we are staying in when we go to the states. It has been longer than they said it would be to show up into the other account. The renter has been getting inquiries for the dates we were going to be there. She is going to have to let the house go to someone else if we can't get the bank to sort the transfer ASAP.

This has been going on for about 2 weeks now and she has been kind enough to hold it for us but today is 5 weeks until we go and she is getting impatient.

I don't blame her.

All major banks operate internationally these days. If transfer speed is the main issue you could ask if they use SWIFT. If they do, it should be as fast as it can get.

retina said:

All major banks operate internationally these days. If transfer speed is the main issue you could ask if they use SWIFT. If they do, it should be as fast as it can get.

The issues with my bank are not to do with that really. I cannot get mail from them, like my debit cards. I have to have mail sent to family in states and forwarded. Contacting them due to the time difference has been an issue.

The transfer I refered to is from my US acct to another US acct yet has taken over 7 working days now to show in the other persons acct.

Shanti0608 said:

retina said:

All major banks operate internationally these days. If transfer speed is the main issue you could ask if they use SWIFT. If they do, it should be as fast as it can get.

The issues with my bank are not to do with that really. I cannot get mail from them, like my debit cards. I have to have mail sent to family in states and forwarded. Contacting them due to the time difference has been an issue.

The transfer I refered to is from my US acct to another US acct yet has taken over 7 working days now to show in the other persons acct.

There are so many parameters when you select a bank. You should focus on the ones that are relevant to you. So if getting mail is your main issue, pick one that at least has a branch where you're located. If transfer speed is an issue, ask how long it usually takes them to do it. It's almost impossible to give a general recommendation when your needs are so specific.

retina said:

Shanti0608 said:

The issues with my bank are not to do with that really. I cannot get mail from them, like my debit cards. I have to have mail sent to family in states and forwarded. Contacting them due to the time difference has been an issue.

The transfer I refered to is from my US acct to another US acct yet has taken over 7 working days now to show in the other persons acct.

There are so many parameters when you select a bank. You should focus on the ones that are relevant to you. So if getting mail is your main issue, pick one that at least has a branch where you're located. If transfer speed is an issue, ask how long it usually takes them to do it. It's almost impossible to give a general recommendation when your needs are so specific.

You are right.

I just need to do some serious research online. I just thought perhaps someone else had some experience with International banks.

My bank keeps telling me that I need to come into the branch to do anything that I need to do. Even after I explain that I live 5000 miles from them now.

So, I thought before switching that someone could suggest some International ones and I could research them.

Shanti0608 said:

retina said:

There are so many parameters when you select a bank. You should focus on the ones that are relevant to you. So if getting mail is your main issue, pick one that at least has a branch where you're located. If transfer speed is an issue, ask how long it usually takes them to do it. It's almost impossible to give a general recommendation when your needs are so specific.

You are right.

I just need to do some serious research online. I just thought perhaps someone else had some experience with International banks.

My bank keeps telling me that I need to come into the branch to do anything that I need to do. Even after I explain that I live 5000 miles from them now.

So, I thought before switching that someone could suggest some International ones and I could research them.

HSBC, RBS and Barclays are all major UK banks that operate internationally. If you want a big non-UK (and non-US) bank, you could go with UBS or Deutsche Bank for example. If you want a well-known online bank you could go with ING Direct. These are just a few examples...

really don't know. but I found this list:

http://www.eagletraders.com/advice/loans_list_top_banks.htm

Thanks guys. I will look into what was suggested.