Wed, 23 May 2012
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| ISEQ 20 | 498.38 | 1.72 |
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Here's a short introduction to our Banking section for those living in Belgium.
Choosing a local bank
When looking for a Euro account some years ago, I first tried Belgium, with an account at ING in Bruxelles. It was fine, except that no-one in Belgium (or just over the border in Germany) seemed keen to accept the ING plastic payment (debit) card in payment for services such as restaurants.The reason I was given by bankers, was that Belgian services businesses like to be paid in cash.
Changed my euro account to HSBC in Paris, and their Carte Bleue Visa seems to be well accepted in Belgium and France and also elsewhere, so the Belgian trader's preference for cash seems somewhat selective.
Also ING were very reluctant, despite my excellent credit record, to let me have a credit card, unless I deposited several thousand Euros up front in an escrow account. HSBC France immediately gave me both debit
I have an banking account with BNParibas what used to be Fortis, have been a customer for many years since it was then Générale de Banque, but since my financial status changed to being a widow, they have cut my visa credit to half and without any written confirmation or verbal notification; so I went shopping for another bank, I felt I wanted to try ING as they promote themselves to be a bank that offers good customer service for X-pats. I went to one of their offices here in town and to my surprise they didn't even know about their marketing commercial they promote on "Flanders Today" a newspaper directed to x-pats; so when I asked I would like to open a bank account, they asked me so many questions why I wanted to move from my other bank,etc; I was surprised by their reaction? I was puzzled by their way of handling business, normally I would consider that anyone could have not just one bank, silly of me to think this is a possibility? I left without any confidence in their service and opted to stick it out with my current bank; needless to say how unproductive and waste of my time it was. Please explain in your "Banking Guide" if it is possible to have more than one bank to do your banking. It gave me the impression of some kind of "Monopoly" regarding this issue.
When looking for a Euro account some years ago, I first tried Belgium, with an account at ING in Bruxelles. It was fine, except that no-one in Belgium (or just over the border in Germany) seemed keen to accept the ING plastic payment (debit) card in payment for services such as restaurants.The reason I was given by bankers, was that Belgian services businesses like to be paid in cash.
Changed my euro account to HSBC in Paris, and their Carte Bleue Visa seems to be well accepted in Belgium and France and also elsewhere, so the Belgian trader's preference for cash seems somewhat selective.
Also ING were very reluctant, despite my excellent credit record, to let me have a credit card, unless I deposited several thousand Euros up front in an escrow account. HSBC France immediately gave me both debit
I have an banking account with BNParibas what used to be Fortis, have been a customer for many years since it was then Générale de Banque, but since my financial status changed to being a widow, they have cut my visa credit to half and without any written confirmation or verbal notification; so I went shopping for another bank, I felt I wanted to try ING as they promote themselves to be a bank that offers good customer service for X-pats. I went to one of their offices here in town and to my surprise they didn't even know about their marketing commercial they promote on "Flanders Today" a newspaper directed to x-pats; so when I asked I would like to open a bank account, they asked me so many questions why I wanted to move from my other bank,etc; I was surprised by their reaction? I was puzzled by their way of handling business, normally I would consider that anyone could have not just one bank, silly of me to think this is a possibility? I left without any confidence in their service and opted to stick it out with my current bank; needless to say how unproductive and waste of my time it was. Please explain in your "Banking Guide" if it is possible to have more than one bank to do your banking. It gave me the impression of some kind of "Monopoly" regarding this issue.
This handy guide from Expertise in Labour Mobility includes how to write a CV, application procedure, interview dos and don'ts, Belgian management culture.
Belgium’s first alternative directory assistance services - available through the shortcode 14-14 - can now be accessed on the internet.
Moving to Belgium presents a host of challenges to expats, not least of all finding the right home.
The psychological effects of global mobility can be physically painful.
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