Evolution of banking services in Poland

@Cheryl   I want to follow this thread... we are selling our home in USA, and need to figure out the logistics of opening an account before we get there or where does our money stay in the states until we settle in.  I was wondering if there was such a thing as "international banking" like you mentioned.  We want to buy a house/farm within 3 months or at least thats our goal when we get there. Is wire transfers still a thing? will they work internationally. Is Poland going to look into CBDC? I hope not. Europe is further advanced than the US, so this is an important thread.

Hello....I took the link to HSBC expat bank...I called them and it seems like they offer everything. No physical branch exists...so it may be a good option when in between countries...? I'd like to hear from someone who has used this service...and if they are insured like here FDIC or whatever that version is called.  But it could eliminate leaving the money in USA and then moving and how the heck can I do a wire transfer after I have left when I can't go into the USA branch to sign or authorize it.  lots of questions...but this could be a cool option.

@lisalange1959

Hello, I hope members of the forum will guide you soon by sharing their experience. Cheryl forms part of the Expat.com team and we launched this topic so that members could share some feedback on banking services. So far, no response but your question is of interest and can get you some replies.

All the best

Bhavna

Anyone have this info to share with this group?  I'd love to know more about the "virtual" banks and if you use them, do you just get cash out of an ATM?  And I want to have my Social Security end up in a Polish Bank too...and off topic a little, but after we sell our USA home, do you guys just have the US bank wire transfer the proceeds to the new bank? or do I look for a Bank that is in both the USA and Poland?  so many questions...LOL  we are targeting our move in Aug/Sep depending on when the container picks up our belongings.

" I was wondering if there was such a thing as "international banking" like you mentioned.  We want to buy a house/farm within 3 months or at least thats our goal when we get there. Is wire transfers still a thing? will they work internationally."

Yes of course Banks in Poland work internationally and you can even get an English version of your accounts when you are online.Check 'Strong " European banks such as Credit Agricole or BNP which have branches all over Europe.(No problem for bank transfers/Wires etc)

Unfortunately you ll need to open your checking bank account in person with your passports etc

Once the process is done(it can be quite bureaucratic though) you ll get an IBAN number which enables you to send and receive funds from the US.You ll need to give this IBAN number to the Social Security in the US for your payments .

You don't need to have the same bank in the US and in Poland but in the US they ll ask you documents proving your are sending the proceeds of your house sale (because of anti laundering rules all over the world) and the bank in Poland might also ask you proof of the source for the funds.

In the meantime while in Poland you ll just use the ATMs to withdraw money until you have your Polish bank account.