Guide

Top 10 Most Affordable Budget Airlines in the UAE For Your Next Trip

Dubai Expat Resident Receives Commemorate Passport Stamp After 60 Years

UAE Breaks Heat Record With 51.6°C - Here’s How to Stay Safe and Sane This Summer

Dubai Just Launched a Travel Influencer Academy

List of UAE Public Holidays in 2025: Announced and Expected Dates

Pictured: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed at a UAE Cabinet meeting.

H.H Sheikh Mohammed Ranks 3 Best & Worst UAE Government Departments

There's a 10-Year UAE Residency Visa for Dubai Content Creators and Influencers

You Can Now Enjoy Breakfast With Penguins in Dubai

Confirmed: 2025 Will Be The 'Year of Community' in The UAE

Classifieds

Jobs

How to Get a UAE Influencer License: Step-By-Step Guide & Requirements

Dubai Announces Pilot Launch of 4-Day Work Week For Employees

UAE Job Loss Insurance Claim Rejected? Here's Why It Could Happen

How to Claim UAE Job Loss Insurance: Eligibility and Step-by-Step Guide

Dubai Ranked Among Top 5 Cities in the World to Work In

Can I Get Fired in the UAE For My Mental Health Condition?

Dubai Dedicates AED 150 Million Government Support Fund For Influencers

How to Deal With Workplace Harassment in the UAE

The UAE's New End-of-Service Programme, Explained for Residents

Events

UAE Breaks Heat Record With 51.6°C - Here’s How to Stay Safe and Sane This Summer

When Is the Next UAE Public Holiday? Eid Al Adha 2025 Dates Revealed

Real Madrid World is Celebrating World Football Day With AED 199 Tickets

List of UAE Public Holidays in 2025: Announced and Expected Dates

Win Cash Prizes Up to AED 300 For Every Kilo Lost With UAE's Weight Loss Challenge

Eid Al Fitr 2025 in the UAE: When is the Long Weekend?

Ramadan 2025 in Dubai: List of Ramadan Markets to Explore

Where to Celebrate Chinese New Year 2025 in Dubai

An Enchanting Regency-Era Evening Awaits at Dubai's Bridgerton Candlelight Concert

Education

Embark on a Summer Adventure at Kids First Group Universe!

Top 5 Online Schools For Expat Families in the Middle East

Dubai IB School's Class of 2025 Secures Over $10 Million in University Scholarships

Experience Summer Learning at its Best with MDX Study Camps at Middlesex University Dubai

Introducing the Executive Hospitality Programme at South View School Dubai

Where to Choose the Best EYFS Children's Nursery in Dubai Marina

Nurturing Compassionate Leaders: 8 Ways Dibber Preschools Prepares Your Child

How to Make the Transition to University Life Easier

What Are the Benefits of Academic Scholarships in Dubai?

Money

Hidden Costs of Expat Life in Dubai (and How to Outsmart Them)

UAE Unveils New Official Dirham Symbol, Inspired By the Country's Flag

6 Financial Resolutions to Make for the New Year

Meet Dr. Hassan Elhais: A Pillar of Legal Expertise for Expats in the UAE

Meet the Emirati Woman Breaking Grounds in UAE Law: Awatif Khouri

Why Teens Need Real-World Financial Education?

UAE Residents Be Wary of Food Delivery Scams

5 Signs You've Been Scammed Over the Phone, and What to Do Next

UAE Job Loss Insurance Claim Rejected? Here's Why It Could Happen

Home

Are "Own Visa" and Freelancer Visa Domestic Workers Legal in the UAE?

Hiring a Maid in the UAE: 5 Legal Red Flags

Ask a UAE Flower Shop: Your Most Common Questions, Answered

FYI Dubai is Banning All Single Use Bags From June 1

Carrefour's 'Choose Better' Programme is Here to Reward Healthier Choices With 10x the Points

Are UAE Domestic Helpers Allowed to Work on a Trial Period and Hired After?

Pet Breeding in the UAE: Is it Allowed and Where to Find Legal Pet Breeders

Choithrams Announces Launch of All-Women Operated Store in the UAE

Where to Order Same-Day Valentine's Day Flowers in the UAE

Car

These Are Dubai's New Public Parking Fees From April 2025

How to Convert a Non-UAE Driving License in Dubai: A Complete Guide

Dubai Public Commute Timings & Road Closures for New Year's Eve

Booking Taxis in Dubai: How to Hail a Taxi Through WhatsApp

What Are the Requirements For a Car Loan in Dubai?

UAE Petrol Prices Will Increase in August 2024

Head's Up! Dubai Taxi Fares Will Increase in May 2024

UAE Announces New Fuel Prices For May 2024

Missing UAE License Plates: How to Report a Lost Plate or Reclaim Yours

Wellness

Win Cash Prizes Up to AED 300 For Every Kilo Lost With UAE's Weight Loss Challenge

9 Warning Signs for Breast Cancer

Top Tips to Have a Healthy Heart in the UAE

Discover "The New You" at Zieda's Aesthetic Clinic in Dubai

Top Ladies-Only Gyms and Fitness Centres in Dubai

Say Goodbye to Wrinkles With Mediclinic's Botox Mondays Offer

Get Expert Healthcare and Wellness Delivered to Your Doorstep in Dubai Within 30 Minutes

Top 7 Scenic UAE Jogging and Running Routes

IVF in the UAE: Unmarried Non-Muslim Couples Are Allowed to Undergo IVF

Shop

Shopping In Dubai

Best Online Shopping Sites in Dubai and UAE

An A-Z Guide to Dubai's Popular Malls

What To Wear At The Beach In Dubai

14 Hilarious Realities of Visiting Dubai Mall

Every Day is a Discount Day on THIS Deals Site

Cityland Mall Preview: Dubai's New Nature-Inspired Shopping Mall

EWmums

EWfood

ewmoda

Which bank do you use? And are you happy with charges?

Buy me a Pony36483

687

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 14 January 2011 - 16:42

We are moving to Dubai from Australia and need to establish a bank account over there that will enable us to manage cash and credit cards locally and in the US; do internet banking through to Australia; and has low currency conversion charges for US Dollars. (We don't ask for much ;-) )

Any recommendations based on your experience? We are thinking HSBC at the moment.

Many thanks in advance.

Log in to post new content in the forum.

63

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 January 2011 - 18:49

Appletiser...been with Mashreq since 2001..and like you so far so good. Changed to Lloyds for a while for a mortgage but wouldn't recommend them..Mashreq all the way :-)

Sugarbeach23383

1566

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 15 January 2011 - 17:57

I think you normally need £60k (or currency equivalent) to qualify for HSBC Premier, otherwise there are underfunding charges. I'm curious to know, are the foreign exchange rates competitive when you make international transfers with Global view? For example, how does it compare with Al Ansari? I currently use Mashreq for local banking, than just carry on with my existing Lloydstsb UK accounts and recently started using HSBC Advance Offshore - which is mostly internet based. The HSBC Advance has a monthly charge plus underfunding charge if balance is below £25k. I wasn't impressed with HSBC UAE and have given up on them. We try to keep the banking simple here in the UAE. <em>edited by Sugarbeach on 15/01/2011</em>

Buy me a Pony36483

687

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 15 January 2011 - 17:41

Thanks for that further information CadnExpat. That is heartening. And to everyone else too. We now have a short list for further investigation. Feel free to keep the options rolling in. It's all good information! Cheers

1972nessie25051

260

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 January 2011 - 17:25

We use LLoyds TSB here like we do in the Uk and have no problems. there is a 100dhs monthly charge if bal falls below 10,000dhs.

29

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 January 2011 - 13:26

Am assuming to don't have to be a member of the back for a certain qualifying period or anything... No, the Premier account was our very first and only type. However, I know there is a qualification required - but our company/industry offered a special deal for employees so I am not actually sure what the process is. Honestly, though...we have had no serious issues with HSBC Premier. Anytime there is a problem, you call either your relationship manager or even their Premier member phone line and we've always gotten very good service. They even had someone come out to dh's office to set up our Dubai accounts. We needed to actually go into a branch when we wanted to make changes when I arrived, but even that process was easy. Now, we've just had the accounts up and running her for a week now, so I'm sure we'll encounter bureaucracy at some point, but so far it's been very easy - they had a courier service deliver both the checks and the debit/visa cards. And truly, once it's all been set up, we have almost never needed to actually go into a branch, I can handle everything online - including seeing the mortgages for our revenue properties overseas. Good luck, I am new to Dubai, but am quickly learning of all the patience required for what should be simple tasks/requests...all in all though, I think we will enjoy our time here!

Anonymous (not verified)

0

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 January 2011 - 12:04

RAK Bank

Buy me a Pony36483

687

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 15 January 2011 - 11:43

Oh gosh...I am [i'>so [/i'>not good with bureaucracy, but I know I am going to have to be patient with things over there as this issue keeps coming up time and time again. I think I am going to have to go into a zen state or something. None of this is giving me confidence! Might investigate the Premier Membership of HSBC, that sounds good as DH will probably travel to the US quite a bit and we will be back and forth to Australia. Am assuming to don't have to be a member of the back for a certain qualifying period or anything...

bornconfused34509

542

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 15 January 2011 - 08:46

HSBC is awful when it comes to checks. They constantly reject them stating the signatures don't match. When we bought our car 3 years ago we had to write out x amount of checks. By the end of the first year, the bank started sending them back stating the signatures did not match. As if they didn't know that after someone had to write out so many checks that their hands would be tired and the signatures wouldn't match.. SHOCKER. The second year, the bank tried to have us re-write the checks. My husband flat out refused. Told them the sequence of the checks and told them he signed all of them and they needed to deal with it.

Jumeriah Jane36452

476

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 15 January 2011 - 08:43

With HSBC and they are ok, inane bureaucracy is their major downfall.

87

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 January 2011 - 08:26

When we first came here we opened a status account with HSBC - all I can say is that it was dismal service (consistently.) So much so, that even though it was considerable hassle to change, we moved to RAK bank and so far, so good with them.... The nice thing about them is they pay you between 1%-3% of your monthly spend on your credit card, so if you put everything on your card, theres quite a nice return each month. Branches is lots of locations too... Hope this helps

3220

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 15 January 2011 - 08:11

Mashreq since 2002. So far so good.:)

29

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 January 2011 - 08:00

We've been HSBC Premier members since 2004, starting in Canada, but with all of our relocations, we now have accounts in Australia, US, and Dubai as well. I love their Global View option online banking as I can wire funds between all the accounts for no fee...and with a Premier membership, you only pay the monthly Premier fee for your initial account, so we have no monthly fees for Aus, US or Dubai... I can only vouch for the Premier service, however, as we were never standard account holders with them. Our relationship managers have always done everything for us - for example, when we got a mortgage with them, our relationship manager took care of all of the documents, paperwork, applications.etc...then made a time for us to come into the bank to sign...we didn't have to fill anything out! She also is the one who does all of the "letters of introduction" when we went to sign up in other countries. In fact, she's had several promotions since we initially opened our first account. She now lives in a different city completely and is a branch manager, but still takes care of us personally. We just love her! SHe can't solve all of our international issues,but she does usually get the ball rolling for us when necessary. We just recently came here to Dubai, and I'm not loving their customer service, however to be honest, it was pretty dreadful for us in Perth as well....but once I had my accounts all linked online, I never really have reason to go into a branch much anymore! For us, it's been very good and convenient at HSBC. Good luck!

Buy me a Pony36483

687

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 15 January 2011 - 04:48

i'm with Bank of DH - brilliant - open 24/7, no charges or credit limit and the manager's a bit of alright too :) lol PMSL In my sleep deprived state I went to Google "Bank of DH" thinking "Strange name, haven't heard of that one" Oh...famn. This is not good news *sigh*.

3901

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 14 January 2011 - 21:18

i'm with Bank of DH - brilliant - open 24/7, no charges or credit limit and the manager's a bit of alright too :) lol

Servants Quarte...

384

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 14 January 2011 - 18:34

no charges

2725

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 14 January 2011 - 18:34

We dont get bank charges!!!!!! only 100dhs monthly fee.

155

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 January 2011 - 18:32

Sorry to be the one to tell you this... but the banking system in this country is woeful! Very much a third world service with a smattering of hope thrown in to get you enthused, before they then crush you! Sounds dramatic, but when you try to open your account here... bare this in mind and you might just get a suprise if it all goes smoothly! - although this is unlikely. HS*C is known locally as the 'four letter bank' and seems to give a level of service that you imagine H*BC in say, Australia, would be embarrased about. The 2 'best' (and remember this is the best of a bad bunch) I have come across for personal accounts are; Lloyds TSB - international bank, and Emirates NBD - local bank. If you can at all avoid it, try to come here cashed up so you don't need to take a loan. the banks are only a little bit short of loan sharks! Oh... and international transactions are VERY costly... and there seems to be little in the way of BPAY or PayAnybody here... Paying funds into another bank account, even within the UAE is an ourtageous cost! Sorry if this frightens you, but best you know the reality!

Log in to post new content in the forum.

ON EXPATWOMAN TODAY

Top Nursery School Kids Summer Camps in Dubai 2025

Embark on a Summer Adventure at Kids First Group Universe!

Top 10 Low Cost Airlines in the UAE

Top 10 Most Affordable Budget Airlines in the UAE For Your Next Trip

Dubai Expat Resident Receives Commemorate Passport Stamp After 60 Years

Dubai Expat Resident Receives Commemorate Passport Stamp After 60 Years

Top 5 UK curriculum online schools for expat families and kids abroad

Top 5 Online Schools For Expat Families in the Middle East

UAE Breaks Heat Record With 51.6°C - Here’s How to Stay Safe and Sane This Summer

UAE Breaks Heat Record With 51.6°C - Here’s How to Stay Safe and Sane This Summer

Best educational summer camps for teenagers in Dubai: MDX Summer Camps

Experience Summer Learning at its Best with MDX Study Camps at Middlesex University Dubai

Hidden Costs of Expat Life in Dubai (and How to Outsmart Them)

Hidden Costs of Expat Life in Dubai (and How to Outsmart Them)

Real Madrid World Dubai - Summer Offer AED 199 per ticket

Real Madrid World is Celebrating World Football Day With AED 199 Tickets

Scholarship opportunities at the Swiss international Scientific School Dubai (SISD)

Dubai IB School's Class of 2025 Secures Over $10 Million in University Scholarships

Travel influencer academy in Dubai

Dubai Just Launched a Travel Influencer Academy

Central Bank of UAE reveals new official currency symbol for the Emirati dirham

UAE Unveils New Official Dirham Symbol, Inspired By the Country's Flag

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed announces 3 best UAE government departments

Pictured: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed at a UAE Cabinet meeting.

H.H Sheikh Mohammed Ranks 3 Best & Worst UAE Government Departments

New 10-Year UAE Residency Visa for Dubai Content Creators and Influencers

There's a 10-Year UAE Residency Visa for Dubai Content Creators and Influencers

UAE president announces 2025 will be the 'Year of Community' in the emirates

Confirmed: 2025 Will Be The 'Year of Community' in The UAE

Breakfast with penguins at Ski Dubai Mall of the Emirates

You Can Now Enjoy Breakfast With Penguins in Dubai

How to convert another country's drivers license in Dubai

How to Convert a Non-UAE Driving License in Dubai: A Complete Guide

Registrations open for EYFS curriculum Willow Children's Nursery in Dubai

Where to Choose the Best EYFS Children's Nursery in Dubai Marina

List of confirmed UAE public holidays in 2025

List of UAE Public Holidays in 2025: Announced and Expected Dates

Outdoor cinemas in Dubai for the winter season 2024

The Best Outdoor Cinemas in Dubai to See Open-Air Movies This Winter

Executive Hospitality Programme at South View School in Dubai

Introducing the Executive Hospitality Programme at South View School Dubai

Expat legal consultants in the UAE | Dr. Hassan Elhais

Meet Dr. Hassan Elhais: A Pillar of Legal Expertise for Expats in the UAE

Saray Spa promotions at JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai

This Luxury Dubai Spa Has Some of the Very Best Breaks To Escape To

A Complete Guide How to Get an Influencer License in Dubai and UAE

How to Get a UAE Influencer License: Step-By-Step Guide & Requirements

UAE Emirati Lawyer Awatif Khouri in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Meet the Emirati Woman Breaking Grounds in UAE Law: Awatif Khouri

Dubai's gravity-driven tunnel to reduce flood risks by 700%

Pictured: Flooded roads from the record-breaking storm that hit Dubai in April 2024.

Dubai Flood Risk to Be Cut Down by 700% With New Tunnel

8 Beauty Treatments in Dubai for busy moms

8 Beauty Treatments in Dubai: Self-Care Recommendations for Busy Moms

Mashreq NEO NXT Account | Why Kids and Teens Need Financial Education

Why Teens Need Real-World Financial Education?

E-scooters are no longer banned on the Dubai Metro stations and trains

RTA Finally Lifts E-Scooter Ban From Dubai Metro

Spa packages at Saray Spa in JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai

Step Into the Ultimate Relaxation Bliss With Saray Spa's Pampering Packages

How to book Dubai taxi through WhatsApp

Booking Taxis in Dubai: How to Hail a Taxi Through WhatsApp

Experience Extended Stays and Special Savings at Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort UAE

Soak Up the Summer With the Ultimate UAE Staycation Special

RTA Dubai flying taxi official launch date

Image credit: Joby Aviation.

RTA Finally Confirms Launch Date of Dubai's Flying Taxis

Are "own visa" Domestic Workers legal in the UAE?

Are "Own Visa" and Freelancer Visa Domestic Workers Legal in the UAE?