Comments on: stand and deliver

By: Scroobious

Scroobious — Sat, 02 Apr 2005 13:28:01 +0000

Whereas back in South Africa, banks charge for – quite literally – everything. For withdrawals, deposits, and transfers, whether performed at your own bank’s ATM or even the bank counter; in fact you pay extra to transact at the counter, because you’re taking up their valuable time. You pay for every single cheque, every direct debit or standing order. On top of that of course you pay a hefty monthly fee if you want to bank online. Some banks will offer a package deal, where you pay a set monthly fee to include various transactions, but as with the French system (as described), it’s tricky to compare across banks, or to work out what’s best for you.

Since moving to London I’ve been delighted at the luxury of not having to pay to give the bank my money (never mind manage it). Of course, that’s assuming you can open an account in the first place – not the easiest thing. But once you get that first chequebook, a whole terrifying world of credit pimps come a-knocking at your door. Still, pleasant to have free banking.

By: Chicago

Chicago — Sat, 02 Apr 2005 01:44:35 +0000

Banks? I know they are bunch of crooks…I work for one of them. And a big one.

L8er,

By: ontario frog

ontario frog — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 18:03:44 +0000

Sure, in France it’s harder to get a mortgage, you have this 33% limit and everything. It is true that our culture is much more conservative when it comes to credit.

Now, are you really sure you prefer the British or American approach? The French language has no equivalent for “negative equity”. My humble opinion: Let’s keep it that way.

By: helene

helene — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 15:06:52 +0000

Oh I see I am not the only one to moan about banks and their charges. Here in Greece if I don’t withdraw from my own bank, I get charged 4 euros on a withdrawal of 400 euros which is daylight robbery.

The best bank account I have had (and have still) is a bank in Lithuania (part of a Swedish bank) where I could pay all my bills on the internet and make international transfers as well.

I won’t start on my complaints about Citibank and their Indian call centre as I am going to change as soon as I move in the summer.

By: Colin

Colin — Thu, 31 Mar 2005 19:28:04 +0000

Come to live in Yorkshire property is reasonably priced and you could get ten application forms through the post in a week, judging by my mail box.