Hello all,

I am visiting Krakow in a couple of weeks time to view my unit at South Bank and carry out a few others tasks.

Can anyone recommend a bank with which to open an account and which particular branch would be worth visiting.

I will be stayin centrally, just near the main square, and need a branch with English speaking staff and a bank which offers full internet banking in English, allowing international and national transfers in and out of the account. Not particularly bothered about cheque books and cash point access as I can't see myself ever needing those sevices.

Any positive or negative recommendations gratefully accepted.

Also, what is the process for opening an account - how long does it take, what do I need to take with me etc.

Many thanks,

Pete

Hi Pete

Assuming they have a branch with english speaking staff...

I opened an account with Millennium Bank in Szczecin with just a passport (had taken several months of previous UK bank statements as well). Fortunatley there was one person there able to assist with the account opening.

It was not a same-day process - there was a gap of several days before a card could be delivered to the office - this had to be signed for in person necessitating a second visit as it was needed to set up various passwords.

Otherwise everything went smoothly - internet access to the account working ok. Transfers in have taken a couple of days to be credited, yet to use it to pay out for anything.

HTH
Mike

Hi Pete,

I opened an account with the Nordea Bank in Krakow in April this year, and have found them good so far, both on Polish and Poland to UK transfers. No problem with internet access, (which I had found difficult with my previous bank PKO which was a nightmare from a number of points of view), for which they supply you with a kind of scratchcard which obviates the need for SMS codes.

I was able to sign up on the spot using just a passport for identification, and there was no problem with English even though the teller I spoke to was reticent about her own command of the language.

The only minor negative was that they have a branch near Filarmonia, just off the main square, which deals only with 'business' clients and the staff there referred me (again in perfect English) to a branch four stops from there, on the Bronowice tram line - or three stops from the Teatr Bagatel on the NW side of the main square - (nos 4, 8, 13, 48. The Nordea Bank is set back off the road on the right, I think at Urzednicza tram stop).

Millenium bank have a branch very near the old square, but I've had no dealings with them.

Howard.

Hello Pete,

I too have a Nordea account and I have found the internet service works well and it is in English. I would recommend them.

I can't remember where my branch is as I opened it from England.

Peter

thanks for the feedback guys.

Peter - how did you manage to open an account in the uk and what does that process involve?

Pete

Hello Pete,

You can apply on-line at Nordea.
You will have to have documents legalised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, unless Nordea have changed their criteria.
Once that is done Nordea will send you account details and instructions for internet access etc.

That's as I remember it.

Hope this helps but if you do go ahead and you get stuck just let me know and I'll try to help.

Peter

Hi Pete

I would suggest WBK Bank . They have a branch in the main square

Regards

Eamonn

Hi Eamonn,

thanks, I am going over there on Sunday.

Have you used their internet banking? Is it in English? And does it allow international transfers in both directions plus transfers between Polish accounts?

Regards,

Pete

Hi Pete

They have internet banking . Yes it is in English . WBK is 70% owned by Allied Irish Bank( AIB) .AIB are the biggest bank in Ireland . I think they can provide all the servicses you need . They seem to have a good internet service . Also they are one of the easiest banks to deal with according to a UK person in the property busines living in Krakow .We do busines with them and there have been no problems . They have UK/Irish people working over there also .

Hi Pete,

I also plan to go to Krakow in the next few days and was interested on which bank you decided on and how long it tokk to get everything sorted out? I was planning to just go there for the day. How is the Southbank development going?

Does anyone know whether Budimex have an office in Krakow? Apparently I need them to sign some documents for my mortgage.

Regards,

Ricky