HSBC
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 23
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From: Unobtanium
HSBC
After 7 years in Dubai, HSBC has finaly (mis)-managed to frustrate me for the last time. My money comes out in 2 days, credit cards cancelled. Imbeciles, they can't f**k with me anymore.
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
From: Sandy beach
I believe HSBC have bought down the requirements for a status account, which reduces fees and comes with a personnal rep to which you can call. I just changed over recently and it's worth a look. The on line banking is reasonable, but I know they have big problems with the call centers in India. I haven't had to drive to Deira for years and that's the only reason I haven't switched. The less direct interface with a bank the better.
I hear NBAD is pretty good, with lower fees and a soild on line banking option as well. The problem is that the entire ME is weak when it comes to banking options. What to do...
I hear NBAD is pretty good, with lower fees and a soild on line banking option as well. The problem is that the entire ME is weak when it comes to banking options. What to do...
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: nightstopping
I had a donkey from hsbc phone me up on the 28th nov telling me i had no money in my account when i'd just been paid 2 days earlier !!! 
I hear NBD seems to be ok to ... relativley speaking that is ! at least you get a debit card as opposed to the crappy status thing hsbc give you ..
I hear NBD seems to be ok to ... relativley speaking that is ! at least you get a debit card as opposed to the crappy status thing hsbc give you ..
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 180
Likes: 3
From: BNE
Originally Posted by Saltaire
I believe HSBC have bought down the requirements for a status account, which reduces fees and comes with a personnal rep to which you can call. I just changed over recently and it's worth a look. The on line banking is reasonable, but I know they have big problems with the call centers in India. I haven't had to drive to Deira for years and that's the only reason I haven't switched. The less direct interface with a bank the better.
I hear NBAD is pretty good, with lower fees and a soild on line banking option as well. The problem is that the entire ME is weak when it comes to banking options. What to do...
I hear NBAD is pretty good, with lower fees and a soild on line banking option as well. The problem is that the entire ME is weak when it comes to banking options. What to do...
NBAD in my own experience however, is a very bad lot. We were forced to take a mortgage with them (no other banks were financing our project at the time) and we are stuck with them. Their representative who dealt with us was wholly unprofessional and their staff in the branches are not much better. Luckily, I have a direct line to one of the very senior managers who steps in only when I desperately need issues resolved. But that is a poor way to do banking...
I too wish to find a bank in the ME who really do understand what people want when it comes to good customer service... Sadly, that concept is lost on most of the banks here....
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 1
From: any town as retired.
HSBC Premiere OK to me
No real problems, just never ever ever call the call centre.....Get the number of your Premiere rep, and their desk phone.
Yes the mortgage rate went up by 1.5%, when the UK loan rate was ONLY 1%. Suspect this was not HSBC problem but sand pit wide.
But they are giving 6.0% tax free on my deposits, so reasonably happy.
Eventually got to grips with the internet banking.....that took over one year of very occasional use, and thus not really current on type.
glf
Yes the mortgage rate went up by 1.5%, when the UK loan rate was ONLY 1%. Suspect this was not HSBC problem but sand pit wide.
But they are giving 6.0% tax free on my deposits, so reasonably happy.
Eventually got to grips with the internet banking.....that took over one year of very occasional use, and thus not really current on type.
glf
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 1
From: any town as retired.
HSBC 6% was well advertised locally
It was, and might still be available for middle order deposit sums, and attracted a 6% pa interest.
I took out a 6 mth term deposit, and this matures in Feb 2010.
I move funds betweeen USA UK and UAE easily, either on line, or over a cup of tea, in my branch.
If you have Premire account, and are located in UAE, drop in for a cuppa, and ask the question.
Remember they were charging 7.5% on loans.
There is no tax charged on this interest, but if you are an UK takpayer, please take the correct advice, as to repatriation.
Regards from a sandy but snow free UAE.
glf
I took out a 6 mth term deposit, and this matures in Feb 2010.
I move funds betweeen USA UK and UAE easily, either on line, or over a cup of tea, in my branch.
If you have Premire account, and are located in UAE, drop in for a cuppa, and ask the question.
Remember they were charging 7.5% on loans.
There is no tax charged on this interest, but if you are an UK takpayer, please take the correct advice, as to repatriation.
Regards from a sandy but snow free UAE.
glf
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Dubai
Thanks for info on your TD at 6%. Unfortunately that was the rate 6 months ago
.Today a 6 months term deposits only pay a paltry 2.59%. The best TD rate is on 4 months at 4%. Now I d rather keep my money accessible at 3% in the esaver.
.Today a 6 months term deposits only pay a paltry 2.59%. The best TD rate is on 4 months at 4%. Now I d rather keep my money accessible at 3% in the esaver.
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: !
Barclays useless too
Well i can't say i'm too impressed by Barclays..They've been pretty much useless too.
Regarding mortgages, i got an offer from Ajman Bank for a 70% morgage on a 4,5 - 5,0 % rate.Not too bad i guess.
Regarding mortgages, i got an offer from Ajman Bank for a 70% morgage on a 4,5 - 5,0 % rate.Not too bad i guess.
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
From: Far from home
Having banked with BBME (which then became HSBC), NBD, Lloyds TSB and now Mashreq during our time in Dubai, we have come the conclusion that banks here are all pretty much the same...useless!!
Surprisingly the worst of the lot was Lloyds TSB. On one occassion they stopped all transactions on our ATM/Payment Cards while we were on leave due to a 'computer hacker scare' in late 2008. Which in the end made no difference whatsoever because 4 months later someone got hold of my card details and PIN and totally went to town running up a 70,000dhs bill. 
Surprisingly the worst of the lot was Lloyds TSB. On one occassion they stopped all transactions on our ATM/Payment Cards while we were on leave due to a 'computer hacker scare' in late 2008.
Which in the end made no difference whatsoever because 4 months later someone got hold of my card details and PIN and totally went to town running up a 70,000dhs bill.
