Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

With the HSBC going "local" with a bank I have never heard of has anyone got any comments on banks they currently deal with. Central bank guarantees are all well and good but I would like the assurance of a bank with a bit of international pedigree and possibly one which has a premier type banking service.

Thanks in advance

TEB are affiliated with BNP Paribas & have good internet with Premier Customer service. Seran has now returned after a spell away & is very efficient & helpful.

Has anyone had any contact from HSBC about the closure / new bank / what will happen re cards, etc. ? Or has everyone pulled their money out already? Just wondering what's the best thing to do ~ any comments / suggestions appreciated.

Thanks

Well my husband's card has been cancelled without warning overnight unfortunately our personal banker who responds to emails is off until Monday & the other 2 people I emailed have not replied maybe they do not speak English. I have never had any success with phoning so will try Turkey first this afternoon before getting in the car.
Sign of things to come maybe??

We went to close our accounts today, ironically it was probably the quickest and best service we've ever had there. We asked when the branch would be closing and were told 'maybe October, we don't really know'.
We hadn't been able to use our ATM cards for quite a while, apparently due to Turkey requiring proof of permanent residence, visitors visa was not deemed sufficient. Last straw was our credit cards were being declined.

I have spoken to the Manager at my branch in Gazi a couple of weeks ago. I learned that changeover date is to be the first week in October.

As for confidence in the new ownership i was told that they will be part of Credit West Group. I asked the Manager 'Will you yourslf be content to invest your money there' and the response was a positive 'Yes'.

From a personal standpoint i would rather bank with someone I know with a worldwide reputation but to be truthful I don' know any of the banks who operate here which is why i chose HSBC in the first place.

I haven't needed to use the ATM or pay any bills with the card in the last two weeks or so, those comments above of problems have me worried, i shall find out for myself tomorrow when i visit the bank.

tt.

I had no problem using my card yesterday for an on line purchase.

Thanks to those that replied.

I use my UK HSBC card to withdraw sterling from the atm machine at HSBC bank. There is no charge for this at present. Does anyone know if there will be a charge levied when the new bank takes over?

Lots of comments about HSBC and some are clearly switching. I have had good co-correspondence with Garanti so far and also have accounts with creditwest and Sekerbank. Garanti and Seker I feel more comfortable with as they are at least Turkish banks. Garanti seem to offer good rates too, at least as a sweetener and personal services of a personal banker on a "Premier" type service. Who have you switched to and why?

Garanti has some affiliation with a Spanish Bank they are not purely Turkish - whether that is good or not I do not know!
Husband's card had actually expired & apparently they do not send a new one automatically so have ordered one today, whether it comes or not we will just have to wait & see I think it unlikely as they will not be HSBC for very much longer.

"Jonnie"]Lots of comments about HSBC and some are clearly switching

That is certainly true and not just some.

I used to dread having to go there knowing that I would be very lucky if I got out of there in under 30 minutes and avoid lunchtime like the plague. Turkish Cypriots have deserted in droves. Now anytime of day I go in there the place is all but empty.

What to do is a dilemma, Garanti does seem to be popular but I wasn't impressed when I called in there, maybe that was just a local thing due to the staff member i talked to.

tt.

My only comment is that I only bank with "genuine: Turkish Banks, who are recognized outside of TRNC. I could easily be wrong, but I just feel safer that way. It's more reassuring, walking along a street in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir or wherever to see a branch of "my" bank that I can pop into.