Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

I am looking to open a bank account that I can use mainly to pay my water and electric bills by direct debit. I used to have an account with Turk Bank some years ago but had problems with them failing to pay my electic bill and as I found their internet system very user unfriendly I didn't check the account regularly and thus my electric was cut off for a short while and thus I closed the account and relied on a neighbour who kindly managed my bills. As my neighbour is about to return to the UK, I am now looking to do it all again by direct debit but am looking to use a more user friendly internet banking system.
Can anyone recommend a bank that has internet banking and which is relatively easy to use.

Garanti Bank every time..... been using their internet banking for 3 years now and have never had a reason to complain. Have found the Branch staff to be helpful, professional and very efficient - I too banked with 'other' banks and joining Garanti was the best thing I did. The Branch I use is close to the large Deniz Plaza. Hope this helps.

I am very happy with HSBC internet banking, we use it to pay our and our neighbours electricity bills - unfortunately we can't use it to pay water bills, Esentepe Belediyesi is not set up for that yet. Shortly after the meters are read I can see how much the bills are (handy if you live elsewhere) and when the money will be taken out and in the last 7 years there hasn't been a problem. I have also used it for transferring money to various foreign countries with relative ease and exchanging currency (they usually have better rates than the exchange bureaus). Like most banks they do charge for receiving any electronic transfers that are not Lira (not sure if they do if you have a premier account for which you need to have over 100,000TL in your account as of 1/7/2014).

The only downside is that you have to go into the branch to get an account and internet banking set up. Not always a positive experience - if you can get past that, it's a good system

Agree with Taximax, my experience with Garanti has always been good....far better than HSBC who I am also with.Also use the one by Deniz plaza.

Is the Deniz Plaza branch of Garanti Bank the only branch in Girne?

No there is one next to Oda Paza next to 1001. I think Iktisatbank has excellent internet banking, and helpful staff that speak English, plus if you want to transfer money here from England, you first send it to their bank in England and they then send it over, so only a tiny charge.