Which Bank in North Cyprus?

Jayne62


Joined: 19/10/2008
Posts: 93

Message Posted:
14/12/2008 20:37

We are coming over to North Cyprus next week, and want to open a bank account. Can anyone tell me where they suggest? I would be so grateful for your comments.

negativenick


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 6023

Message Posted:
14/12/2008 21:22

i don't think you can better Creditwest Bank...



Expat branches at Kangerangoo and Cattlekoy....



All the staff speak perfect English - it's a pleasure dealing with them and no long que's either !





Nick

Jayne62


Joined: 19/10/2008
Posts: 93

Message Posted:
14/12/2008 22:03

Thanks Nick, will give it a try

Jayne

dozza67


Joined: 11/07/2008
Posts: 607

Message Posted:
14/12/2008 22:07

we second that - can't beat credit west for ex-pat banking and good service.

Wine Man


Joined: 11/09/2008
Posts: 74

Message Posted:
19/12/2008 21:20

Jayne62,



let me know how you get on as I'm visiting in Feb to do the same thing.



Can you also remind me what documents are required?

turkcitizen


Joined: 14/01/2009
Posts: 35

Message Posted:
15/01/2009 09:12

Turk Bank Ltd. in Karaoglanoglu Girne, best service and branches in UK.

turkcitizen


Joined: 14/01/2009
Posts: 35

Message Posted:
15/01/2009 09:13

I believe Turk Bank with English Representatives much better service

negativenick


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 6023

Message Posted:
15/01/2009 09:15

mess 6 - sounds like a Turkbank employee drumming up business ! (another post trying to justify the lower interest rates kicking around)



Creditwest pay higher interest than Turkbank and you cannot beat Creditwest's service....





Nick

Chicken Run


Joined: 11/10/2008
Posts: 252

Message Posted:
15/01/2009 09:25

Iktisat bank have been brilliant for us and everyone we have recommended there. They have a whole section upstairs in their Kyrenia branch and lots English speaking staff at their other branches. Also, online banking in English.



Highly recommended!

breezyboy


Joined: 14/05/2007
Posts: 1179

Message Posted:
15/01/2009 13:52

For once NegNick is Pos Nick and I agree with him.

Turkbankasi has the worst interest rate at 15.5% and the slowest service in the world. Creditwest is excellent and a much better rate especially for 12 months. Iktisat is as good in service and English speaking, and only 1% lower. Garanti has excellent english speakers and a rate of 18.75%

turkcitizen


Joined: 14/01/2009
Posts: 35

Message Posted:
16/01/2009 16:42

have you worked with turk bank before? go to Karaoğlanoğlu branch and compare then...

Wiser


Joined: 30/07/2008
Posts: 796

Message Posted:
16/01/2009 17:02

I have used Turk bank for ages and found them to offer a good service and they have lots of branches. For high interest though I would use Credit West.

david123


Joined: 07/07/2008
Posts: 393

Message Posted:
16/01/2009 20:07

Hi Jayne,



I can agree with chicken run (msg 9) 100%, they have been very good for us.



The person to speak to there is Alev, very good at what she does.



alev.peler@iktisatbank.com



Thanks.



David

guinness


Joined: 10/03/2008
Posts: 224

Message Posted:
21/01/2009 20:16

Most of the responses above seem to refer to bank branches on the north coast. Which bank is recommended for expats in the Iskele - Bogaz are please? TIA



Cheers



Guin

guinness


Joined: 10/03/2008
Posts: 224

Message Posted:
22/01/2009 01:39

Pushing to the top again.



NB, sorry for the typo - last phrase middle word 'area'.



Guin

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
22/01/2009 07:11

Hi Jayne,



Go to Iktisatbank, they have a few branches, all with English speaking staff. Alev in town as mentioned above or Mustafa in karaoglanoglu. Their rates are good, I think generally because they are a local bank only, their service is good and we found them to be about the cheapest for getting money over here via the internet. If you are a member of the British Residents Society (£10 pa) you get discounts on car and house insurance which more than pays for the £10!

TurkBankRep


Joined: 22/01/2009
Posts: 219

Message Posted:
22/01/2009 08:30

morning

as everyone has a choice why dont you come see me at Karolanoglu Branch of Turkbank we can have a chat and when you have all the ınformatıon about our bank and the others then you can make your choıce whıch one to bank wıth or spreed your money round a couple that you trust



Linda Roy

customer Rep

karaoglanoglu Branch

l.roy@turkishbank.net

guinness


Joined: 10/03/2008
Posts: 224

Message Posted:
22/01/2009 09:54

But what about a bank suitable for expats in Bogaz/Iskele area ?!!!



Guin

Jayne


Joined: 01/12/2008
Posts: 499

Message Posted:
22/01/2009 10:26

I bank with Turk Bank and their service ıs very slow I do agree. Always loads of people waiting to be served but only 2 people serving - allow an hour to withdraw somemoney during busy times!

We are in the process of changing and I believe Credit West offer a very good expat service.

guinness


Joined: 10/03/2008
Posts: 224

Message Posted:
22/01/2009 11:04

Unfortunately Creditwest do not show any english speaking branches in the east on their website. Their Famagusta branch appears to be geared to local business. There mus be others surely?



Guin

Jayne


Joined: 01/12/2008
Posts: 499

Message Posted:
22/01/2009 11:09

The new branch in Karakum is English speaking as I have been in. The manager there, Figan, speaks perfect English and is very nice and helpful.

Wine Man


Joined: 11/09/2008
Posts: 74

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 20:51

Does anyone have any views on the HSBC bank?

cooper


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 3386

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 21:00

Varied views Wine Man - http://www.cyprus44.com/forums/banking.asp



Cooper

Bigcheese


Joined: 12/01/2009
Posts: 51

Message Posted:
24/01/2009 00:41

I have not been happy with the service I received from HSBC. I had a credit card which I used abroad on the dark side and in the UK. All of a sudden, they started charging commission on foreign transactions without any prior warning - I got such a shock when I got my statement! Been pleased with Garanti Bank - good service and English speaking, but interest rates on GBP are much lower than at other banks like Credit West

Wine Man


Joined: 11/09/2008
Posts: 74

Message Posted:
24/01/2009 13:40

It seems that from these forum pages that if you had a choice between Creditwest Bank & HSBC - it is best to go with Creditwest?



What do you think?

Stewart


Joined: 19/07/2008
Posts: 1107

Message Posted:
24/01/2009 15:20

Dear Jayne....I use HSBC...have no complaints other than Qs ( if you go in between 8 -8.30 there are none )

I access my account on-line...I opened a HSBA ac also in the uk, i can transfer money between accounts within an hour for little cost.



Using the net, you can transfer money , pay bills, pay others, take advantage of exchange rates and interest rates!....Book an appointment, take your passport, have a NC address for them....and...do not allow anyone else to try and push in before you.....I recommend the HSBC ( great if you are not permanetly in NC )

rowlo



Joined: 12/10/2008
Posts: 4796

Message Posted:
24/01/2009 15:25

garanti for me

negativenick


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 6023

Message Posted:
25/01/2009 04:42

Creditwest are the ones - you cannot fault them.....





Nick

negativenick


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 6023

Message Posted:
25/01/2009 12:29

Gary Monger is with them too....





Nick

CatalkoyJohn


Joined: 26/01/2009
Posts: 34

Message Posted:
26/01/2009 05:14

Which Banks offer good service, good interest AND full internet control please?

John

CreditwestRep


Joined: 04/11/2008
Posts: 214

Message Posted:
26/01/2009 09:38

Don't want to appear biased but Creditwest Bank have branches dedicated to Ex Pat banking not a few individuals or a department. Our Karaoğlanoğlu and Çatalköy branches are open for your service and we always try to be competitive with our rates. Pay us a visit and experience the difference for yourselves or alternative email me on pazarlama@creditwestbank.com with any questions you may have.

Amber


Joined: 26/09/2008
Posts: 561

Message Posted:
26/01/2009 14:30

Have to agree that Creditwest are very good. I would recommend them.

babyblueeyes


Joined: 13/01/2009
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
26/01/2009 16:31

Turk Bank Ltd - Old established well run, very secure, SOLID, and branches all over TRNC & UK.

Great track record!

neilhodgin


Joined: 28/10/2008
Posts: 256

Message Posted:
26/01/2009 22:37

universal 19% fixed for 6 months

SaraP


Joined: 30/04/2008
Posts: 295

Message Posted:
27/01/2009 15:40

I am currently with Turk bank,which have offered me an excellent service but am now looking for higher than 15.5%. Does anyone have any info on Kibris Continental Bank?

CreditwestRep


Joined: 04/11/2008
Posts: 214

Message Posted:
27/01/2009 15:44

Where are you SeraP? why dont you visit one of your expat branches in Karaoğlanoğlu or Çatalköy the in terest rates are on the way down so you better move fast if you want to get a better rate for a longer term.



Alternatively email me on pazarlama@creditwestbank.com and I will arrange for you to meet the manager at the branch of your choıce.