Who to bank with in Doha? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Who to bank with in Doha?

260
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 May 2012 - 14:55

I am posting this question because DH is already in Doha and needs to open a bank account. His company have said its either HSBC or DOHA bank because that's who they deal with and DH won't get resident permit until Aug (he has Abu dhabi visa at mo as we are living in Dubai until July). Anyway he's reluctant go with HSBC as they are rubbish in Dubai, anyone using Doha bank? Can we easily send money back to uk using online banking? TIA.

331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 May 2012 - 19:54
We use Doha Bank and HSBC and have found both to be fine. The advantage with HSBC is that if you have an HSBC account in the UK or Jersey it is easy to send money back via the internet and it is instant. Sending back via Doha Bank isn't so easy. i know there have been lots of complaints about HSBC but after quite a few years here we are happy with them - we must have been lucky!!
260
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 May 2012 - 11:15
Ladies thanks again for all your responses. He only needs it for everyday living and then to be able to send money back to uk once a month. He won't be needing any loans so it sounds like this bank will do for our needs.
156
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 May 2012 - 09:46
It's important to take into account their requirements for getting loans if you plan on getting one. QNB was the only bank I found that did not demand a letter from my employer stating that they would hand over my last month's salary to them to cover the loan in the event of my termination. I like QNB and have had no problems.. besides the tellers not being able to do much! If you want to know your balance after depositing at a teller you then have to go to customer service to find out..
112
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 May 2012 - 01:30
I have two accounts at IBQ and can't imagine banking elsewhere. I find the bank as a whole to be very user-friendly. HSBC was a cluster . . .
1326
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 15 May 2012 - 21:51
I've banked with Doha Bank and while it wasn't awful, it certainly wasn't great. Have since moved over to Commercial Bank, and I've been 100% pleased. Even if your DH's employer has direct dealings with Doha and HSBC, they shouldn't have an issue paying salary into other banks. My current employer uses QNB and loads of us have accounts with other banks. Everyone I know who banks with Commercial is as happy with the services as I am.
1759
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 15 May 2012 - 18:15
I use Doha Bank - but it's basically an account and an internet shopping card. That said, I've transferred $$ in from overseas and the wire transfer has cleared quite quickly (considering time zones and work day differences). The only "complaint" I have is that I have been told twice when renewing my internet card that they would call me - they never did, but they also told me it would be ready in a week, and I just dropped by after that, signed for it and picked it up. If your transactions are more complicated than mine you might want to wait for a few more comments. From comments from friends they generally have regretted going with HSBC - poor customer service, poor follow up are repeated comments - but my info is anecdotal
260
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 May 2012 - 16:10
Thanks for feedback, definitely not choosing HSBC. Any more feedback for Doha bank?
14
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 May 2012 - 15:16
Hi there, I haven't yet set up banking arrangements, but in talking to those in my organisation, the feeling was that the people who had gone with HSBC regretted it, and that QNB was seen as a good option too... HTH, BG
445
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 May 2012 - 15:12
I haven't used Doha Bank, but haven't heard any complaints about them. HSBC was horrendous when we banked with them- so bad that we switched to ibq. And couldn't have been happier. We had SO many problems with HSBC and so have so many other people I'm amazed that the franchise hasn't been revoked.