Transferring Swiss CH into GBP UK Bank account

skippy1961 · #1 29.07.2009, 22:35

Hi All,

Can anyone advise me on the best way of tranferring a chunk of my monthly income back home each month into my RBS or Abbey account?

I start new job in Basel at end of month and wanted advise on best account to start up under this situation.

Regards, Skippy1961

kevlegs · #2 29.07.2009, 23:13

I use internet banking with UBS. I transfer money to the UK monthly. No probs

terryhall · #3 29.07.2009, 23:23

In all seriousness, the best thing to do is have a Nationwide account - I kept my HSBC account when I moved here and it was the worst move I ever made - Nationwide is (by accident or design) a pretty much perfect "expat" bank account setup.

Basic (free) account gives you no charges for overseas withdrawals (no other UK account had that last time I checked about a year ago), no minimum pay in amount, and the rates on money transfers are very competitive. UK based friendly customer service.

All in all, I made a stupid choice by trying to make my UK account "work" over here, and I ended up tied into a 2 year £13 a month contract to get a worse overall service than the Nationwide would have given me for free. Thankfully that expires soon so I can close the HSBC account and open one with Nationwide instead

Obviously if you're really happy with Abbey and RBS then stick to it, but my advice based on my experience is, if it makes sense to move banks, move banks.

skippy1961 · #4 29.07.2009, 23:58

	Quote:	kevlegs
	I use internet banking with UBS. I transfer money to the UK monthly. No probs

Thanks for the info!!

skippy1961 · #5 29.07.2009, 23:59

	Quote:	terryhall
	In all seriousness, the best thing to do is have a Nationwide account - I kept my HSBC account when I moved here and it was the worst move I ever made - Nationwide is (by accident or design) a pretty much perfect "expat" bank account setup. Basic (free) account gives you no charges for overseas withdrawals (no other UK account had that last time I checked about a year ago), no minimum pay in amount, and the rates on money transfers are very competitive. UK based friendly customer service. All in all, I made a stupid choice by trying to make my UK account "work" over here, and I ended up tied into a 2 year £13 a month contract to get a worse overall service than the Nationwide would have given me for free. Thankfully that expires soon so I can close the HSBC account and open one with Nationwide instead Obviously if you're really happy with Abbey and RBS then stick to it, but my advice based on my experience is, if it makes sense to move banks, move banks.

Thanks for that, sounds like thats for me!!!
Best Regards,
Skippy1961

Blonaybear · #6 30.07.2009, 10:24

I use Postfinance internet banking. Transfering funds to the UK with an IBAN number costs just CHF 2.-

swissdawn · #7 30.07.2009, 19:42

I transfer from credit suiss each month to barclays with IBAN costs me 5chf

NickV · #8 02.08.2009, 14:00

The charges with the Swiss banks might not be high but do you know how competitive the exchange rates are?

Often you can get better exchange rates using currency brokers such as hifx.co.uk but the rates they give depend on how much you are transferring and the fees might be higher.

Dusty · #9 27.08.2009, 22:53

I have a question I am a student on placement here in switzerland so I am not earning huge huge amounts but ive calculated after living a pretty comfortable year here enjoying lots of skiing and nights out I will have saved about 17000 CHF

What is the best option for me transferring this back to the uk. Pay a little bit Monthly or a lump sum at the end?

I have a BCV swiss bank account if this changes anything.

Cheers Dusty