Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Now that HSBC has been taken over by Allbank there is no longer (at the moment - maybe in future they say) an option to withdraw £sterling. Apparently the Garanti ATM by Karakum Lemar has changed it process and now you need a smart phone or reference no to withdraw money. Where can my UK friends withdraw £sterling using their UK card - Girne/East side ????
Thanks

Sorry, that info regarding Garanti at Lemar Karakoum is totally wromg.
I was there just a couple of hours ago (Wednesday 3.30pm) and withdrew sterling with a RBS visa card no problem. They have actually got a new machine with touch screen and a new interface which is very easy to use. The only reason I hve ever had using Garanti or TEB machines anywhere is that the machine has previously been emptied.

I will go down with them to Karakum - they said there was no English language option either anymore - they have used it on previous visits but had a problem with it yesterday when they got here.

Outside the leather shop, opposite Yabeles, in Çatalköy, there is an atm that dispenses Sterling.

I was told on this forum this week that sterling can be obtained from Garanti bank ,along from the Law courts.. in Girne.

I got sterling from Garanti bank in Karakum this morning, the machine has been totally updated, no need to select language, the machine must have recognized that the card was from a UK bank and automatically displayed in English

I stopped using that machine Daveg it was a nightmare but if it is working properly now I may give it another go

Went with my friends back to the Karakum Lemar Garanti ATM - it gave us the option of language and their money was paid out with no problem this time - all in £20 notes.
Thanks for all your input - I don't have to sub them anymore !!!!

I’ve drawn £ from Bankamatic ATM’s in the past. If the Lemar one hasn’t had any then I’ve used the one by the taxi rank in Girne.

lamar on the old Astro supermarket car park works for us with lloyds.Just round the corner from HSBC.

Anybody tried the one outside the leather shop, opposite Yabeles, in Çatalköy since yesterday? Only ask as I can't make any sense at all out of all the Turkish that is displayed!!! It used to be a simple machine to use and allowed selection of language as well but now it displays a notice in Turkish that is flashed on and off too fast for me to interpret it.

Both myself & the my other half used it on Thursday afternoon waddo. It worked as usual.

Thanks, will give it another try.

Do these banks charge for withdrawals as with the demise of HSBC I am wondering where to go. Garanti will charge me they say,but TEB do not ???

Any help will be much appreciated folks.

Caveboy wrote:Do these banks charge for withdrawals as with the demise of HSBC I am wondering where to go. Garanti will charge me they say,but TEB do not ???

Any help will be much appreciated folks.

I have never been charged (yet!!) for withdrawing sterling from a Garanti Bank ATM...

I have never been charged either for withdrawing sterling from Garanti with my UK HSBC card. Also, Bankomatic (I think it is called) at the entrance to Lemar in Catalkoy dispenses Sterling using HSBC card, no charge.

I think it depends on which bank you are with - I bank with Nationwide as an example - my bank do not charge me for withdrawing Sterling from any ATM anywhere in the EU. As an aside, Nationwide class the ATM's in the North (and I think Turkey as well) as being in the EU, so provided I only withdraw Sterling there is no charge. The same is true for purchases on Debit and Credit cards, provided I pay in Sterling there is no additional charges levied by the bank. I have no idea what will happen post Brexit so please don't ask, I just live in ignorance the same as everyone else over Brexit - lol.