Singapore Expats

I am in Singapore and need to open a local bank account. Which bank do you recommend?

I will be using the account as a normal chequeing account, not for saving, so interest rates are not that important. I prefer decent ATM coverage and good online banking options. I will be transferring funds out of Singapore so good and fairly priced possibilities for transfers are important. And finally, when and if I need to talk with someone at the bank, I do want to be able to actually talk to a live human being, and not end up in an endless circle of "press number 3 to ...".

What is your favorite bank, and why?

DBS

This has been discussed quite extensively in other posts in the forum, take a look.
DBS is definitely the biggest bank - but I won't join them because of the queues at my local branch. Each has their plusses and minuses - take a look at the other thread.

carteki wrote:This has been discussed quite extensively in other posts in the forum, take a look.
DBS is definitely the biggest bank - but I won't join them because of the queues at my local branch. Each has their plusses and minuses - take a look at the other thread.

I really do apologize! -- I did search the forums quite a lot before posting, but didn't find anything comparing banks. I really did try! Can you recommend a couple of search terms?

http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic67599.html

http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic64749.html

http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic63560.html

Should help
Searched using the term "bank" in the search box and site=http://forum.singaporeexpats.com (gets rid of all the classified and other junk)

carteki wrote:This has been discussed quite extensively in other posts in the forum, take a look.
DBS is definitely the biggest bank - but I won't join them because of the queues at my local branch. Each has their plusses and minuses - take a look at the other thread.

I have accounts in DBS and OCBC and the only advantage of the first one is an on-line telegraphic transfer to selected countries. As per everything else I can recommend OCBC. What I really dislike about DBS that practically every transaction takes up to 3 days even done between your own consolidated accounts. You pay DBS CC card from your DBS savings account and it needs 1-3 days to get it effective. OCBC is here instant. It simply looks like DBS takes every opportunity to make some money out of your pocket.

x9200 wrote:I have accounts in DBS and OCBC and the only advantage of the first one is an on-line telegraphic transfer to selected countries.

Does it take 3 days?

Many thanks carteki and x9200 -- it is very kind of you. I'll read those links carefully.

I'm kind of embarrassed to say I work with computers every day but wasn't able to get such good search results!

carteki wrote:

x9200 wrote:I have accounts in DBS and OCBC and the only advantage of the first one is an on-line telegraphic transfer to selected countries.

Does it take 3 days?

Not sure My country is not on the list (for Europe, it is mostly the Euro zone) I can only tell how long it takes with OCBC from the counter - typically less than 1 day

I made the newbie mistake when I first arrived of opening an HSBC account, having lived in HK previously I just assumed ATMs would be widespread here like they are there. Wrong! Little did I know that the choice of ATMs you have is almost non-existent!

I now use DBS and am happy with them, the main advantage for me is that you can also use POSB ATMs so you're never that far away from somewhere to get your money.

open a bank account that has ATM near you (or where you will be using it the most) coz bank has their own ATM and you cant withdrawn money using another bank card.

durain wrote:open a bank account that has ATM near you (or where you will be using it the most) coz bank has their own ATM and you cant withdrawn money using another bank card.

sometimes can can lah. ocbc cards work in uob atms.

If all you needed were ATM access and online capabilities, then DBS should be OK, as others have said.

However, if you really need to talk with someone at the bank, DBS stands for Dismal Bank Service.

durain wrote:open a bank account that has ATM near you (or where you will be using it the most) coz bank has their own ATM and you cant withdrawn money using another bank card.

The following all work in each other's ATM's: Stan Chart, Citibank, MayBank, ANZ, HSBC, and SBI (State Bank of India)

Thanks to everyone who replied to this thread. Your advice and comments are greatly appreciated. I eventually opened an account with UOB. So far my experiences have been very good. I was served quickly, professionally, and had an account opened without any hiccups.

Determining factors for me to choose UOB over the other local banks were 1) more e-banking possibilities, including international transfers, though the interface may be less appealing, 2) shorter queues if I have to withdraw cash through an ATM, 3) a no-hassle decent service, and 4) a branch a short bus-ride away. Less important factors for me were locations of ATMs, discounts and reward programs, lack of polishing of website, and a website with faqs and information that is much less informative than some of the other banks.

For anyone else looking for a local bank, there are in addition to this thread some good older threads on this website here - see carteki's post above.