Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum

Calis Beach Forum => Expat & Property Owners Q and A Forum => Topic started by: paz on April 15, 2014, 02:45:43 AM

Title: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: paz on April 15, 2014, 02:45:43 AM
Some years ago we opened accounts with Finans bank and Garanti Bank. The former was initially as a small savings account for "Emergencies" and Garanti for Direct Debits. We also had had a current "card" account with Finans which we ended up closing because we kept just getting charges till it dwindled down to nothing.  Our problem is that our Finanse account can only be accessed on a certain day of the month and we never seem to be on holiday at the right time. So, when we come over next, we need to open an account where we can keep emergency money at a decent interest rate and be able to deposit or withdraw on any date without a lot of charges.  Any ideas please.
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: tinkerman on April 15, 2014, 07:25:02 AM
When you open a savings account here it's usually on a monthly or longer basis, you have a anniversary date very month, on this day you decide what to do with the accrued interest.
In your case send Finans an e mail or call in and see them next time you are over and then leave instructions on what you want them to do each month, ie put interest back into saving account or transfer into daily account which you can access easily when on holiday.
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: nichola on April 15, 2014, 09:16:47 AM
Both Finansbank (double egg) and Ing (Orange) have accounts that earn interest and can be accessed any day of the week. However the interest rate for the Finansbank double egg account is pretty poor by comparison to the Ing Orange account, to the tune of several interest points difference. ING also now has a user friendly web site if you need to do any internet banking.

Other banks may have the same types of accounts now too but I have no information on them - others may know.
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: chris35 on April 15, 2014, 09:20:33 AM
Highly recommend Finans double egg account. Interest is 6.5% at present, but you can draw anytime without loss of interest.
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: loz on April 15, 2014, 09:24:35 AM
Garanti Bank Fethiye, I can not speak highly enough regarding the services of Alper.  I can email him, or telephone, last time I telephoned he just said I am on the other line will phone you back on this number, he didn't ask who was calling, I thought this strange, yet2 minutes later he returned my call to the UK, I explained that our holiday was midway through interest period, he said that it was not a problem and could arrange a withdrawal and not lose interest, he sorted other matters out for me too. I wish all customer services was like this.  interest at this moment 11%



Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: usedbustickets on April 15, 2014, 13:53:47 PM
Both TEB and HSBC have daily interest accounts, currently paying approx 9.5%, but there is a maximum that you can have in the account and earn interest, and in the case of the HSBC I think I am right in saying that the first 2000 TL does not earn interest.  having said that the HSBC account (The Modern Account is the brand name) is in effect your current account, so you can do whatever you do with your current account pay DD's, internet banking, make other payments etc. plus earn a very nice rate of interest.
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: paz on April 17, 2014, 01:37:54 AM
Thank you for your input. This gives us a few options. This "Double Egg" account at Finans, is this a daily interest account ? We originally had a daily interest account with them but our balance was only a couple of hundred pounds and the charges depleted the balance over the years. I suppose the key is to deposit enough so that the interest is more than the charges? Is this correct? Also, please advise where ING bank is in relation to Finans and Garanti. Thank you
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: karaokemark on April 17, 2014, 06:23:42 AM
I think all banks will charge you unless there are at least 2 direct debits set up on your account. yesterday Garanti was 10.4 for 32 days, internet banking is very easy with them and you can register your UK mobile to do this.
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: tinkerman on April 17, 2014, 07:01:51 AM
12% on a 50 day account from today at Finans   :)
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: desmartinson on April 17, 2014, 07:18:48 AM
Spot on Tinks. was in there myself yesterday doing a little wheeling and dealing.  :)  :)
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: nichola on April 17, 2014, 10:19:42 AM
Paz wants an account where money can be drawn out whenever!

ING is near Quiksilver clothes shop. Turn left at the exchange office on the corner of the one way system past Migros.
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: tinkerman on April 17, 2014, 12:31:52 PM
If Paz opens a double egg account at the bank where she already has an account she can do just that!!!  :)
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: nichola on April 17, 2014, 15:00:00 PM
But the interest rate is at least 3 points below what is available elsewhere. Why would anyone want too?
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: tinkerman on April 17, 2014, 15:40:44 PM
You open up a 50 day account at 12% and have the interest from one term transferred into your double egg before you come out! the other terms you can let it run or top up from another term if needed. Simples
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: desmartinson on April 17, 2014, 16:24:23 PM
Hard work isn't it Andy, just go in and ask, all English speaking staff, on a footnote I have seen more people on here in the last couple of years leaving Ing than Finans.  ;)
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: tinkerman on April 17, 2014, 18:50:28 PM
Following Alper around with some misguided loyalty    :)  ;)
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: karaokemark on April 17, 2014, 18:56:02 PM
Not misguided loyalty Andy, going to a bank where you get good honest help any time day or night and top rates. I left Finnans because I was charged a ridiculous amount for transferring money from the UK and was told numerous times by the Manager I would have it refunded and never did. I would do the same with any bank.
Another bit of advice is to use more than one Bank not all your eggs in one basket so to speak.
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: tinkerman on April 17, 2014, 19:09:55 PM
Ive been with Finans since I moved to Turkey six years ago, I have had nothing but good advice and great service from the girls, I have also transferred money back and forth several times and not expensive at all?
I nearly transferred a large some of money into Alpers bank several years ago when Greece was having problems, when I read on here from another customer of his that he knew I was transferring the money it was cancelled!

  :)
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: karaokemark on April 17, 2014, 20:56:55 PM
I am fully aware of what happened when you were going to transfer money to Fortis bank, where Alper worked at the time and it did not come from Alper, there was another expat in the bank at the time who made it known you had been in to transfer money after swearing never to leave Finnans. Please do not bad mouth Alper without knowing the facts call and have a drink I will tell you who let the cat out of the bag.
Mark
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: Scunner on April 17, 2014, 21:02:48 PM
I have always rated Alper very highly. You could ask him to sort something and he would simply do it without delay or fuss. I'd be stunned if he was telling other people someone's personal business, it simply isn't him.
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: tinkerman on April 17, 2014, 21:48:41 PM
He did sadly, it wasn't another ex pat in the bank, no one else was there when I went straight in to see him, but it was an ex pat who posted the fact on CBF that I was transferring money.

I have never had a problem with the Finans girls, always on hand to answer phone calls and e mails, can't fault them so far.
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: karaokemark on April 17, 2014, 22:26:11 PM
Again Andy I will tell you it was not Alper please be careful what you accuse a banker of on a public forum, yes there was someone else in the bank!!
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: Scunner on April 17, 2014, 23:37:15 PM
He did sadly, it wasn't another ex pat in the bank, no one else was there when I went straight in to see him


Who did he tell, if no-one else was there  :)
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: tinkerman on April 18, 2014, 04:38:12 AM
An old sparring partner of yours...  :)
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: tinkerman on April 18, 2014, 04:40:15 AM
Again Andy I will tell you it was not Alper please be careful what you accuse a banker of on a public forum, yes there was someone else in the bank!!

If there was someone else in the bank mark, how did he find out my business?
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: karaokemark on April 18, 2014, 04:49:19 AM
That is the worst of banking in Turkey no privacy although it is much better now at the banks I use. Yes Keith's old sparring partner (one of) I assume he put 2 and 2 together if he did not hear you, but I know at the time Alper and the Bank Manager were most upset about being accused of giving out private information.
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: tinkerman on April 18, 2014, 06:51:12 AM
His exact words were a "Little dickie bird told him" so he didn't put anything together but nothing can be proved one hundred per cent so we best let it rest there, we are also digressing from the subject, so back on topic    :)
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: desmartinson on April 18, 2014, 08:01:14 AM
His exact words were a "Little dickie bird told him"      :)
It was Peter Ustinov  (Topkapi)   ;)  :)
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: Jacqui Harvey on April 18, 2014, 08:43:28 AM
We liked Alper too and though he was vey good. After recommendations we opened our first account with his Bank.  All went well until he emailed us as told us he was going to the Ing Bank.  So we transferred to the Ing Bank so we could still use his excellent services.  Then he emailed us again that he was moving to yet another Bank.  We decided we did not want to move again as we did not want to follow Alper around from Bank to Bank with his Career.  We stayed at the Ing.  We have had no problems and there are a few assistants in the Ing that speak English.   One a particularly glamorous girl, that is quite popular, particularly with my husband ;D  We will be staying at the Ing as long as we continue to get good service. ;D
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: Scunner on April 18, 2014, 10:03:18 AM
An old sparring partner of yours...   :)

You haven't narrowed it down much :D
Title: Re: New Bank Account advise please
Post by: paz on April 23, 2014, 21:12:29 PM
Thank you all. I agree we have never had any problem with Finans Bank, but accounts do change. We will sort out our existing account with Finans first and look into that Double Egg account. Thank you Nichola for the ING advise. We have a Turkish friend in the UK who has told us he has just moved his money into ING as he reckons them to be more stable. All this info has been very helpful. Thanks again.