Which Bank and why?

Hi again.

Going back many years, we chose our original bank (ING) because it was where my wife had banked before we married, but that was back in the days before Internet banking and we had our own personal contact within our local branch - it was a very good system.  When we went back, everything had changed - it seems that tax fraud and scamming was the number 1 issue for many banks and they all seemed to be using the same security system in as much as you must tick every single box on the screen, and our old bank just wasn't interested in us as Expats, so we ended up with the only bank who would take us; to be honest, we've had no issues with them (RaboBank). 

We've been with them a couple of years now and have no complaints.  The issue you'll have is not having a credit rating, so you may struggle to get credit, or if you do, pay extortionate interest rates; our daughter had to rent a house for a couple of years so she could establish her credit rating and then get a mortgage.  So my first piece of advice is to ask about establishing a credit rating and if there is anything you can bring from SA that will help.

To try and answer your questions:

Many banks have now closed their high-street locations in favour of internet banking; that doesn't mean they have all closed, the large towns certainly have branches open, you'll have to look around where you live.

There are plenty of ATM's in the Netherlands; in many places, they are where the local branch used to be.

Service charges - you really need to ask; our bank (Rabobank) has no upfront charges.

Ease of Communication - I've never had a problem with our bank - we just phone them or call in when passing - (they have very nice coffee), but in the days of multinational call-centres, who knows?  I have read recently that in response to criticism, many banks are re-opening their own Dutch language call centres, as opposed to overseas call centres where the level of Dutch spoken was pretty indifferent.

Facilities available - all of the things you mentioned are available at our bank; the only thing I find a bit weird in the Netherlands is many places just won't accept credit cards; debit cards are no problem.  It's never caused me a problem, I've just gotten used to it.

Interest paid - these things vary from product to supplier - you will need to ask at the time you are looking for it; there is no single supplier that everyone goes to for credit.

Transferring money - we've never paid anything in the Netherlands to send money there; the costs have always been attributable in the country of despatch; so I'd speak to your bank in SA and see if they have any partners in the Netherlands they can recommend.

Hope this helps.

Cynic
Expat Team

Cynic almost said it all, but I have a little thing to add. The ATM system for the big three banks in our country  in The Netherlands is going to change a little they are going to cooperate together. See Geldmaat

If you ask me the best banks in The Netherlands are ING, ABN AMRO and Rabobank. They are the most used banks in The Netherlands and are the most dependable and stable.

Hi again.

I saw a glimpse of something on TV last week about Geldmaat, but didn't catch what it was about; now I know thank you.

Do you know if they are going to issue a phone app for locatie system?

Thank you both for your input.

I have also found this site, which attempts to post the info in a single place.  Not too sure how the star ratings are arrived at though.  Also, it would be great if someone, who actually banks with these banks can verify the accuracy of the information.

TheBanks.EU

@cynic
I don't know. I guess so

@PaxNL

I really don't know about the rates. I don't have a credit card we don't really use them in our society. Most people if they have one only use it on vacation, we don't like to pay high interests and we certainly hate debts.