Best banks

[stevewool]

While we are over here I mentioned to Ems that we should open a bank account, but with who?

Any ideas which one is better then the others?

We bank in England with Nat West and Lloyds, but I have no idea about banks and charges over here, so any help would be appreciated.

[Steve.r]

I am with Nat West too Steve and use PNB only in Phils. Never had a problem with transfers between either.

[Terpe]

We have accounts with both BDO and PNB

Most banks require at least two forms of ID

Most won't accept you Steve, although some smaller ones might.

I could have opened an account with One Network Bank and EastWest Bank using my passport, Drivers Licence and Civil Service ID card

I'm planning to open with One Network Bank as it has branches and ATM's is some very rural areas that we often visit.

I'd suggest considering a bank with full online operating facilities and an international capability.
Also a full range of ATM locations to help with travelling etc.

[stevewool]

What about Metrobank, anyone? Maybe it will be open just in Ems name for now.

But I do feel it's time to make some sort of plans with banks here now.

[Terpe]

What about metrobank,anyone, maybe it will be open just in Ems name for now,
But I do feel it's time to make some sort of plans with banks here now

Go for it.
Metrobank is a big player, maybe the biggest.

There's a branch just up the road from us but they wanted too many evidential documents for us to comply.

If you'll end up living somewhere close to a HSBC branch then that may also offer benefits.
HSBC in UK can set it all up for you including ATM cards etc

[sars_notd_virus]

Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and Philippine National Bank (PNB) as they got an affiliate banks here in UK

[fred]

BPI have a sterling account but never has any actual Sterling!
Their exchange rates are diabolical and we have to have an Indian money changer that has a BPI account in Cebu that meets us at the bank..
He deposits the Pesos into our account with an excellent rate via the teller and when the funds are confirmed, she sends over the Sterling via our account to his sterling account in Cebu.. What a palava!

On the whole though, BPI are pretty good for everyday banking purposes.

[sars_notd_virus]

BPI have a sterling account but never has any actual Sterling!
Their exchange rates are diabolical and we have to have an Indian money changer that has a BPI account in Cebu that meets us at the bank..
He deposits the Pesos into our account with an excellent rate via the teller and when the funds are confirmed, she sends over the Sterling via our account to his sterling account in Cebu.. What a palava!

On the whole though, BPI are pretty good for everyday
banking purposes.

I am not sure how it works at your end Fred but BPI works fine with me here in UK and even when we are in the Ph.
Basically the same exchange rate/charges with PNB ...I only keep my PNB Account because I've worked with them before (still holding on my old account since I was a teenager) and could be reliable when I plan to settle in a different country and not the PH/UK as PNB has got more affiliate banks in the world.

[sars_notd_virus]

While we are over here I mentioned to Ems that we should open a bank account, but with who?

Any ideas which one is better then the others?

We bank in England with Nat West and Lloyds, but I have no idea about banks and charges over here, so any help would be appreciated.

In the Philippines, you just need an ONLINE bank Steve( a bank that you can transact anywhere in the world(meaning...if you click transfer money it will be there straight away!!)

[sars_notd_virus]

What about Metrobank, anyone? Maybe it will be open just in Ems name for now.

But I do feel it's time to make some sort of plans with banks here now.

I used metrobank to pay all my bills when i was still in ph but they have less affiliate banks in europe.check with them ..they usually have a list of banks u can use but beware of charges.