Singapore Expats

Possible move to Singapore in 2014.. But unsure.

Moving to Singapore? Ask our regular expats in Singapore questions on relocation and their experience here. Ask about banking, employment pass, insurance, visa, work permit, citizenship or immigration issues.
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zzm9980
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Post by zzm9980 » Tue, 15 Oct 2013 10:37 pm

MiamiExpat wrote:
zzm9980 wrote:I'm not surprised at all, especially the signature discrepancy, but I wouldn't expect anything better from any other Singapore bank. I've had lots of 'signature discrepancy' disputes at DBS also, even when I sign something in front of them and have my passport.

I've transferred much more than $1000 (but never more than $10000 USD) in at one time with Citi many times. As for ATMs, they share a network with Maybank / HSBC / SCB and one other bank whos name escapes me. No fees, etc, so it helps with finding an ATM. (And if it doesnt, almost every MRT station has a Citi ATM).

Not trying to dispute what you say Dert, but I think it's just a typical Singapore thing and despite your bad experiences there still isn't a *better* alternative for us. If there is, I'd love to know :D
Oof. Does HSBC Premier facilitate banking transactions in Singapore, or it banking a pain there no matter which bank you use?
HSBC Premier requires some obscene minimal deposit; I believe like S$200,000. If you have that much to park in an essentially zero interest account, then the cost of a wire transfer fee and 1-2 day delay probably isn't really material.

AngMoG
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Post by AngMoG » Wed, 16 Oct 2013 10:10 am

Just use Citi for the international transfers (Citi SG from/to Citi US). Once it is set up, it is quite hassle free, and the transfers are either free or with a relatively small charge (10 SGD or less). Other banks charge you 60 SGD minimum. You don't need to bank with Citi SG per se, afaik keeping a certain minimum balance in the account is generally enough.

I have banked with them for years, I have never had any major issues. Granted, I have never had any "special requests" either. As with any bank, the service is friendly, but often incompetent, and waiting times on the phone support can be long. As any bank, they will also call you randomly for stuff you do not want, such as new credit cards or loans. Note that you do not have to be a customer of a bank to get such calls, they just need to have obtained your number somehow.

Citi probably has the most ATMs in Singapore behind DBS/POSB and OCBC, so getting money should not be an issue. Especially useful for me since a lot of MRT stations have them. Plus, you avoid the long queues that usually form at DBS/POSB ATMs.

Dert42
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Post by Dert42 » Wed, 16 Oct 2013 1:55 pm

No worries ZZM! I know I'm in another place now(better place?) and can't expect the same things as in the US. However I still expect a bank to be a bank and do bank things.

I wouldn't say that it is encouraging to hear all the banks suck..
For me Citi has crossed a line. A combination of the USA side and the Singapore side. The best thing I can do is take my business elsewhere right? The second best thing I can do is share the experience I've had with others.
The third best thing I can do is harrass the Citi twitter account with wild claims such as cat molestation, which is starting to be pretty funny from my end.

To AngmoG I disagree. The international transfers are in fact hassle full.

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