Banif Bank

iamharibo · 2011-07-29T10:21:40+02:00

I would love to hear from anyone who is using or has used Banif bank. I've been using them since January and have had nothing but problems. * They take 4-5 working days to clear a payment that most other banks would do in 3 days. * When I pay for something they automatically 'freeze' that money so it is deducted from my 'available' balance. But if the merchant doesnt complete the payment within 2 days, they release the funds back to my available. This doesn't show on my statement so all I will see is that I have money available which I will then spend/withdraw. However most merchants take 3+ days to process payments so the funds are released back to me, spent and then removed again. I've gone overdrawn (only a few euro but it's the principle!) 3 times because my available balance isn't true. I now withdraw all my money on payday which defeats the object of having a bank! * This month they 'lost' my wages. BOV paid my wages and a week later they hadn't arrived. After 5 days I was already calling Banif, sending them the transfer receipt. They ignored every single email I sent them and whenever I called said 'we have not received instructions from BOV, the fault is with them'. After getting our accountant to speak to a contact they have at banif, it transpired that they had received the funds but just no one had realised and I was paid days after my contractual payday. I've since emailed them asking for a full report on HOW the funds were able to go missing and how they are going to prevent this in future... to no reply! To open an account with BOV they require a reference letter from a bank I had been with for a year, however as my company have an account there BOV agreed to let me have an account as long as I provided a reference from Banif (I have only been with them seven months) and a reference from my employer. This all seemed fine, so I toddled along to banif to ask about obtaining a reference- 'we don't do references'. I can't get a reference from my old bank in the uk because we had a charges dispute and my debt got considerably cut and they will refuse a reference, I can't go with HSBC out here because it was them I had the dispute with. I have been told that HSBC in different countries is entirely independent of each other but to be honest after the trouble in the UK I never want to use them again! So basically Banif are entirely useless but I am stuck with them because they "Don't do references". I can't believe that they can just refuse to give a reference when asked for- does anyone have any knowledge on this, surely they know it's something other banks need, BOV asked for it, so it must be pretty standard procedure? Has anyone else had any problems with their customer service team just ignoring emails? I'd like to know I'm not the only one having problems!!

Darrylv Active member

Member since 26 June 2012

DarrylvActive member09 April 2015 08:38:30

#41

BANIF will open without the e-residence card but will require a Malta Tax registration number. They might also ask for a €150 deposit, and agreement to pay €50 a month into a savings account which they release after the first 12 months.

robpw2 ViP

Member since 07 July 2014

robpw2ViP09 April 2015 09:08:03

#42

1574

Samantha oreilly wrote:
Thanks Rob.
My partner has his work contract but we don't currently have a permanent address, still looking although we think we have found somewhere, second viewing tonight to decide. As for residency cards we haven't even applied, how do we apply? Thank you

once you get your house and settled read redmiks sticky on e-residence its all in there

F0xgl0ve Malta Expert

Member since 11 November 2013

F0xgl0veMalta Expert09 April 2015 10:11:59

#43

1975

Samantha oreilly wrote:
What exactly did you need to take with you to open your Banif account? We don't yet have a permenant address but should have within two week but need to get the ball rolling now. Thanks, Samantha

At the time of opening the account (In Victoria,Gozo) we were only asked to show our passports and give them our address, we were not asked for anything else other than to deposit 100 euros to open the account. We were then able to withdraw that money as soon as we wished.
We went in with our eResidence cards as soon as we had them and they took the details and that was that.
Had no bother at all since opening the account.

Samantha oreilly Active member

Member since 17 January 2015

Samantha oreillyActive member09 April 2015 10:18:18

#44

Thanks very much, hopefully it goes that smoothly for us. Did you have to make
An appointment or just walk in?
Thank you :-)

F0xgl0ve Malta Expert

Member since 11 November 2013

F0xgl0veMalta Expert09 April 2015 10:30:54

#45

1975

We just walked in.

Flixstar Member

Member since 08 March 2015

FlixstarMember24 June 2015 06:33:32

#46

I have lived in Malta and banked with Banif for 4 years, and i have had nothing but problems with them from internet banking failures to bank errors made by banif then charging me for it not sendinf me faulty cards and charging me for it not allowing the ATM to give me my money when i need it on at least 20 occasions, told they would resolve banking problems say one thing then when you leave just leave it its up to you but be warned i have my Banif account still open but never use it anymore, but you are better offf going with HSBC or BOV i would avoid Banif bank youll have nothing but problems and like me will be writing here to discourage any more would be victims of Banif i know of at least 3 other that have had similar or same problems

Darrylv Active member

Member since 26 June 2012

DarrylvActive member24 June 2015 06:51:49

#47

From personal experience I have had once up and running an entirely different experience. I tried banking with BoV and HSBC but returned to BANIF - the internet banking is easier and more reliable from my own experience than BoV. I've had excellent customer service from the St Julians branch, several times as they needed a form signed and I asked them to put it in the post as working during banking hours, they walked up to my office for me to sign.

F0xgl0ve Malta Expert

Member since 11 November 2013

F0xgl0veMalta Expert24 June 2015 10:02:56

#48

1975

We have banked with Banif for over 2 years and have never had any problems whatsoever. I would happily recommend them. Never had a problem with their ATM's or with Internet banking.

Ray

Flixstar Member

Member since 08 March 2015

FlixstarMember25 June 2015 08:05:54

#49

What branch you work for

F0xgl0ve Malta Expert

Member since 11 November 2013

F0xgl0veMalta Expert25 June 2015 08:55:45

#50

1975

Flixstar wrote:
What branch you work for

Not really worthy of a response!

Ray

friki78 Member

Member since 09 July 2012

friki78Member01 February 2019 11:31:42

#51

i applied on moday to open basic salary account.
yesterday, salary was released form company's bov account. and i have to wait 3 working days (saturday no , but they are open then) to have them on my account????? wtf????

GozoMo Malta Expert

Member since 29 September 2015

GozoMoMalta Expert01 February 2019 12:09:31

#52

2176

friki78 wrote:
i applied on moday to open basic salary account.
yesterday, salary was released form company's bov account. and i have to wait 3 working days (saturday no , but they are open then) to have them on my account????? wtf????

Why are you commenting on two different topics about the same subject, this one is a few years old.