I know this is a long shot but is anyone going to the Commonwealth Bank's Open Day in Birmingham tomorrow (3/4/03)? We have an appointment at 11.40am.

Who are they? (Appart from a bank)

Regards
Mark

You can open an account with the Commonwealth Bank before you leave for Oz. They'll give you an account number and sort code. When you get there you arrange a mtg at your local bank and they activate your account for you and issue you with debit cards straight away. If you have enough funds in your account then you're exempt from bank charges - hope this helps!

Thanks Karen,
It's alot clearer. I will have to see when they are next in the UK. It sounds good.

Mark

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Originally posted by Karen Brindley:
You can open an account with the Commonwealth Bank before you leave for Oz. They'll give you an account number and sort code. When you get there you arrange a mtg at your local bank and they activate your account for you and issue you with debit cards straight away. If you have enough funds in your account then you're exempt from bank charges - hope this helps!

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They have a London office and often have away days around the country. They won't see you though until you've got a visa. Their number is 020 7710 3990 and I don't think you have to meet them you can send your application by post.

Karen,
I looked them up on the web and read there homepage in Australia and they wonted an Tax File no to open the account. I will give the London office a call on Monday and get them to send me some forms.

Thanks for the number.
Mark

Before you open an account with the Commonwealth have a look at their charges for the accounts...

http://www.commbank.com.au/personal/other/rates_and_fees/daytodayoptions.asp

The fees are not as nice as the UK banks charge. I have found that HSBC.com.au have a transaction account (Online savings account) and that is fee free, plus you can use your debit card as much as you like. The downside is that they do not have many branches, but then again most banks in Aussie charge you for carrying out transactions in the branch anyway. You can open an HSBC account from the UK. Fill in the form over then Internet, download a form and get your local UK bank to verify your ID and then post it to Sydney.

quote:

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Originally posted by Karen Brindley:
I know this is a long shot but is anyone going to the Commonwealth Bank's Open Day in Birmingham tomorrow (3/4/03)? We have an appointment at 11.40am.

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