Setting up bank accounts

[HIFX plc]

All,

Just thought you might be interested to know that HiFX has signed an exclusive agreement with Westpac to provide you with the very best OZ and NZ banking services possible.

Westpac is one of the largest banks in Australia and New Zealand with more than 1 in 3 people having an account with them. They have branches and ATMs covering all states and regions.

How will you benefit?

The ability to open bank accounts in Australia or New Zealand quickly and easily before leaving the UK (without having to visit Westpac’s London office or provide certified supporting documentation).
All accounts will be opened within 4 working days – you will get a call from Westpac within 24 hours of your request through HiFX.
Credit cards and even mortgages can be pre-approved before your departure from the UK.
Westpac will provide you with a migrant banking package that includes two accounts – a current account (cheque books, debit cards, internet and telephone banking) and a high interest savings account.
Westpac have also minimised their transaction fees for HiFX clients to $5.00 per month (for both accounts) and waiver of this fee completely if an average monthly balance of $2,500.00 held.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me jonathan.sermon@hifx.co.uk or call us on 01753 859 159 .

[Angela]

This is really useful, thanks.

I have sent you an email for help.

Cheers
Angela

[HIFX plc]

Thanks for your email Angela. I received your email and will contact you today.

[mandmick]

Hi,
Is this applicable to peoplel iving in Dubai, who are planning to move to OZ?
I can't seem to find a bank which is open to non residents?
Thanks
Amanda

[Chelseadownunder]

You guys might want to stear clear of Westpac Bank. They have been a total nightmare for me and they admitted others in the UK.
We applied to them on 22/08/08 after being recomended to them from HiFX we still havent got an account number:arghh: We also went to Commonwealth Bank and they sorted things the same day and were brilliant. They are governed by the UK banking authority in there UK bank in London which is also good peace of mind in todays situation.
They simply took our UK money by bank transfer and held it. Then when we wanted OZ Dollars they transfered it to the Adelaide branch at the price then. The price was competative compared to HiFX.

Scott UK

[Aussie pat]

You guys might want to stear clear of Westpac Bank. They have been a total nightmare for me and they admitted others in the UK.
We applied to them on 22/08/08 after being recomended to them from HiFX we still havent got an account number:arghh: We also went to Commonwealth Bank and they sorted things the same day and were brilliant. They are governed by the UK banking authority in there UK bank in London which is also good peace of mind in todays situation.
They simply took our UK money by bank transfer and held it. Then when we wanted OZ Dollars they transfered it to the Adelaide branch at the price then. The price was competative compared to HiFX.

Scott UK

Hi Scott, we have done a similar thing to you with the Commonwealth Bank. We now also have a sterling account that is located in Adelaide. The money sits there and earns interest until we choose to transfer it to Aussie dollars. We have also found the exchange rate comparable to others.

[the4hopes]

You guys might want to stear clear of Westpac Bank. They have been a total nightmare for me and they admitted others in the UK.
We applied to them on 22/08/08 after being recomended to them from HiFX we still havent got an account number:arghh: We also went to Commonwealth Bank and they sorted things the same day and were brilliant. They are governed by the UK banking authority in there UK bank in London which is also good peace of mind in todays situation.
They simply took our UK money by bank transfer and held it. Then when we wanted OZ Dollars they transfered it to the Adelaide branch at the price then. The price was competative compared to HiFX.

Scott UK

How do we apply for this?
Laura

[Chelseadownunder]

Tel: 0207 710399 Commonwealth Bank 85 Queen Victoria St London EC4V 4HA
I used Richard Hoffman and David Brown.

I hope this helps

Scott UK

[KP Nuts]

Hi Scott, could I just check that number please, I think there's a number missing!!!

Thanks

[caoimhe]

Hi Scott, do you mean you could transfer some money to Adleaide and keep some in London. IE maybe leave what you hope to put down on a house with them in the UK until maybe someday the rate goes back up to 2.40 then move it??

[Chelseadownunder]

Hi KP Nuts (I love KP Nuts by the way !!) The tel Number is 0207 710 3999
Richard Hoffman and David Brown are good
Their numbers are 0207 710 3991 and 0207 710 3625
As far as I understand it you can invest Pounds Sterling and leave them there and immediately have some or all transfered to Commonwealth Bank Adelaide. This is free if its over £ 30,000 if less I think its a £15 charge (Not that much). Its really good you just ring them at the point the exchange rate is what you want to buy at and they do the deal there and then.
I am sure you could leave money there for some time if you wanted. They are under UK laws so at least the first £ 35,000 is safe. As far as I know there is no such protection in Oz (A little scary). Both Commonwealth and Westpac have said they arent as open to the American fall out so hopefully that proves true.
Looking forward to seeing you all downunder.
Scott UK


(Financial adviser over here, soon to be down under):)

[the4hopes]

Hi Scott, could I just check that number please, I think there's a number missing!!!

Thanks
Theres a 0 right at the end!

[KP Nuts]

Hi KP Nuts (I love KP Nuts by the way !!) The tel Number is 0207 710 3999
Richard Hoffman and David Brown are good
Their numbers are 0207 710 3991 and 0207 710 3625
As far as I understand it you can invest Pounds Sterling and leave them there and immediately have some or all transfered to Commonwealth Bank Adelaide. This is free if its over £ 30,000 if less I think its a £15 charge (Not that much). Its really good you just ring them at the point the exchange rate is what you want to buy at and they do the deal there and then.
I am sure you could leave money there for some time if you wanted. They are under UK laws so at least the first £ 35,000 is safe. As far as I know there is no such protection in Oz (A little scary). Both Commonwealth and Westpac have said they arent as open to the American fall out so hopefully that proves true.
Looking forward to seeing you all downunder.
Scott UK


(Financial adviser over here, soon to be down under):)

Thanks for that Scott.... does anyone know the current spot price for the exchange rate, please haven't seen one for a couple of days.

Thanks

[Kathy and Will]

Just a word about the Commonwealth, we got our mortgage through them and getting a bank account for Will was one of the easiest thing we have done. Our service from the Commonwealth while we have been in London and having bought a home in Adelaide has been amazing, seriously impressive! Makes a change from our tooting high street branch of Barclays, where a staff member accused me of lying about my name when I noticed that she had sent a significant amount of my own money from a UK account to my Australia to the wrong name! Had me in tears, don't think they would get away with such behaviour in Adelaide - customer service is what it is about!