Singapore Banking & Credit Card

[pupsiecola]

Hi all,

Just wondered if it's possible to set up a bank account from the UK. We have our address already in Sing. Have emailed Citibank to ask. Also, does anyone know if there's a credit card whereby you can collect Singapore Airlines airmiles as reward points?

Thanks!
Karen

You can, but it is a headache - lots of couriering original documents back and forth. We did that, and still our account wasn't ready on arrival, as one signature looked slightly different to the other on the form so the process ground to a halt. That was Citibank.

After we arrived, we went in to DBS and an hour later walked out with an account, debit card, cheque book and online banking. I'd recommend that.

DBS? Not heard of that one - are there lots of cashpoints / branches around? Thanks for that!

Citibank is actually a bit of pain as there aren't that many cashpoints. DBS has more. And DBS also issue NETS cards, which you use for small expenditure, and for topping up your MRT (train) card and the cash card in your car, as well as paying small amounts online for government services - the fee for a driving licence etc.

Yes go go for DBS or UOB local accounts.
With city or HSBC you can't have nets and can only draw from specific ATM machines. A real pain.
With local banks there is also a never ending stream of discounts for F&B and shopping.
Air miles with SQ go on Amex cards which you can get on the back of any account.

If you go with DBS their Amex Altitude card has good points to miles conversion with SQ.

We opened accounts from the UK with HSBC but mainly because we already banked with them and it was very easy to do. If you don't already have an affinity with a bank in the UK that has branches here then I'd go with a local one as others have suggested.

Yes we opened an account with HSBC in the UK before we moved to singapore. It didn't go all that smoothly and there were a few problems with buying online. It is also a hassle that there are far fewer ATMs you can use. Go with one of the local banks, DBS maybe. They have ATMs all over the place. Don't worry about waiting till you get to Singapore to set it up - it will be quick.