Paphos People

Hi Can anyone recommend which bank to use? We have an account with Emporiki but they don't issue debit cards and the branches are few. When we come out to kit out our apartment a debit card would be useful.

Thanks

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Bev

[What if the Hokey cokey is what it's all about

I use Laiki bank , I used to be with alpha bank, but never liked the service.
A transfer went missing (not a small amount) and when I asked
for an explanation , the guy just shrugged his shoulders
So I moved to Laiki bank and they are great ..

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REACH 1000`s of PAPHOS CUSTOMERS EVERY DAY FOR A FRACTION OF WHAT THE OTHERS CHARGE
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Whilst the optimist and the pessimist argued that the whisky glass was either half full
or half empty ? .
I drank it .....
The opportunist..

I'm with Alpha and haven't had any problems to date (touch wood).

Jean

Do they both do debit cards and if so how quickly do you think we could set this up? It does seem strange that Emporiki don't we thought they had misunderstood us to start with

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Bev

[What if the Hokey cokey is what it's all about

I am with Hellenic and they do online banking and debit cards, was quick to set up, from memory think the cheque book and card was ready in a couple of days. Also my bank has a car park which can be handy

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Angels fly because they take themselves lightly
http://www.sirenasunrise.me.uk

I'm another user of Laiki Bank, also use it for car and house insurance.

I also like my on line banking.........

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Molly

Treat others as you want to be treated

Hi
We use B.O.C and always had very good service from them
Mike

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I started with nothing and still have most of it left

I have been with ALPHA for 8 years, never any problems, business or private, you must have caught them on a bad day.

There were 2 transactions on my electron card that I had not made as being offshore, refund and new card and pin sorted straight away.

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John

In Arduis Fidelis

I use Alpha too - no major problems, apart from an annual direct debit insurance payment they decided to take monthly instead, but they did sort it once we pointed it out!

Service in all banks I find generally a lot slower than the UK, and the "queueing" can be a nightmare - stood in one the other week that seemed to be operating OK, until I got to right near the front, then it inexplicably and without warning started going the other way, so I was suddenly right at the back!

Get used to things like that though - all part of the rich tapestry of life in Cyprus!

One plan is to see which bank your UK bank has a relationship with (if any) as that can save you money when making transfers, but it isn't essential. FWIW I have an offshore account with HSBC, which has a relationship with Laiki, but I still bank with Hellenic and have done since they took over Barclays' Cyprus operation many years ago. I can't say I have ever had any problems.

I also use online banking with Alpha and it cuts the normal charges by at least half.

You can track progress of transaction.

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John

In Arduis Fidelis

We have a mortgage with Emporiki - they are a shower!

No on-line banking
Sometimes they will answer your e mail and sometimes they won't
Ditto telephone calls

We've had a Laiki a/c for over 10 years now.

They have on line banking and are reasonably reliable IMHO

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J B

Hi KG

We banked with Laiki, because of the relationship with HSBC (our bank in the U.K.)

Although HSBC sold their shares in Laiki in 2006.

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Molly

Treat others as you want to be treated

thanks to all of you who have answered this thread. Alpha seems to be a popular choice. Can't understand why Emporiki don't do debit cards if all the others do. Trust us to choose the wrong one for this....still that's nothing to our mistake over which developer to go with but that is another story!

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Bev

[What if the Hokey cokey is what it's all about

We bank with Laiki and they have been helpful to us. Also have our house and car insurance with them, although the insurance side of it is a bit hit and miss when it comes to taking direct debits.

I would not recommend Cyprialife, which is part of Laiki. What a nightmare they are.

HSBC now have no affiliation with Laiki as far as I am aware.

Verity.

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Verity.

Be who you are, and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

http://coecyp.blogspot.com

No they dont Verity (see my post above) HSBC sold their shares in 2006

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Molly

Treat others as you want to be treated

I use hellenic and have been with them for 6 years, have all the normal services;

Internet banking
Cheque book
Debit and Credit card
mortgate
etc etc...

My only complaint is the charges are a little bit high but their net banking is superb way superior to the bank I use in the UK.

So on the whole thumbs up for the Hellenic !

Cheers

Ian

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Certa Cito.