Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

I'm posting this in case it happens to anyone else. The last couple of times I've tried to use my HSBC card in their ATM it has been rejected immediately, didn't even ask for a PIN. So today I went to the branch and after spending 15 minutes talking to a telephone banking rep I was told to speak to the branch manager. However, I spoke to a customer rep who explained that HSBC Turkey are blocking cards for non residents, apparently this has happened to a few other customers already. They do not recognise the annual 'visitor' stamp issued in TRNC as in Turkey a 'visitor' visa means 90 days tourist visa. He took a photocopy of our passports and visa page and said he would try to explain to the main office so our cards could be unblocked. We have been resident in TRNC and customers with the Girne branch for over 10 years and use our debit and credit cards on a weekly basis, you would think that they could work out that we live here. You couldn't make it up, they've always been lacking in the customer service stakes but this really takes the biscuit.

Think I would change my bank.

If TEB, Garanti and Secker all do the same, then we're up a gum tree without a paddle!!

Deniz1 wrote:Think I would change my bank.

Yes but really it's the successive TRNC Governments' fault - they are the ones that insist on not granting a proper status to us.... If we had proper human rights this anomalous situation would not be an issue.... The bank are just reacting to our status as non-permanent residents - which we should be.

Those of us who live off GBP and then convert to TL, would be in trouble wouldn't we? Visits down south to draw sterling out would be our only option I suspect. What a kerfuffle that would be. (unless anyone knows better) And would this or any other Government really care? There is always the ubiquitous White Card I suppose.

Sorry to appear thick, but does this only apply to the HSBC TRNC ? , I have used my HSBC debit card recently without any problems, but it is a UK HSBC account.

None of the ATMs here will ever display a on screen balance, but drawing cash has not been a problem.

Johnny Lee wrote:Sorry to appear thick, but does this only apply to the HSBC TRNC ? , I have used my HSBC debit card recently without any problems, but it is a UK HSBC account.

None of the ATMs here will ever display a on screen balance, but drawing cash has not been a problem.

come_on_aylin will correct me, but the account that has been opened is with HSBC Turkey AS, through their branch, say in Girne, this is why the card is affected by the changes in Visa requirements in Turkey(which are causing many problems to expats in Turkey)because HSBC in TRNC are franchises and nothing to do with UK.

Johnny Lee's card belongs to HSBC in UK through the account he opened in UK, therefore, just like using your card throughout the rest of the World he is not affected. 2 different situations.

That's the way I see it, maybe completely wrong.

Dalartokat wrote:come_on_aylin will correct me, but the account that has been opened is with HSBC Turkey AS, through their branch, say in Girne, this is why the card is affected by the changes in Visa requirements in Turkey(which are causing many problems to expats in Turkey)because HSBC in TRNC are franchises and nothing to do with UK.

Johnny Lee's card belongs to HSBC in UK through the account he opened in UK, therefore, just like using your card throughout the rest of the World he is not affected. 2 different situations.

That's the way I see it, maybe completely wrong.

You are in that HSBC bank wholly owns HSBC Turkey operations - it is not a franchise. It is a subsidiary - otherwise they would not have been able to sell it... Which was on the cards. HSBC is a worldwide bank based in the UK. They do not franchise out operations as this could undermine their credibility. The changes to regulations in Turkey are in part to stop money laundering and as such many banks have similar regulations throughout Europe.

It is the TRNC's fault that causes this issue...

The account is with Girne branch and as Groucho says, the problem is with TRNC in that they issue annual visas with the word visitor on them. Turkey equates this with a tourist visa and assumes non residency. I'm sure they have been told many times over many years but don't want to know. I remember the first time I tried to use the HSBC card in an ATM in Istanbul circa 2008, having been assured it would be fine by the Girne branch, it was rejected. I went into the bank and they insisted that I give them my tax number which, apparently, all customers in Turkey have. After about an hour, whilst they debated amongst themselves and eventually called the TRNC branch, I got the money.

I think that Groucho is correct. HSBC is not a franchise it is a subsidiary, but for banking licence purposes registered in Turkey. I think that what has happened is that they are adhering to UK Money Laundering requirements, meaning that you have to be resident in the country where your account is held. As far as I am aware in order to open a bank account in UK these days, you have to have UK address. It seems a bit strange though that they are applying the rules after the account has already been opened and operated. You may not have the same problem with say, Garanti or other Turkish Banks, as, I believe, each country has its own Money Laundering rules so Turkish rules may not require you to be resident, or may be more lenient on temporary residency. It will become a huge problem though if the Turkish Banks do the same.