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Opening A Bank Account

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30 June, 2009 - 14:36

mod

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Has anybody opened a bank account for themselves in Brno in the last few months?

Which bank/branch did you choose?

What documents were you required to show? Any other information required?

How was the customer service? Did the staff you dealt with speak English?

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9 July, 2009 - 14:34

Ausczech

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Ceska Sporitelna

So, today I opened an account with CS. Easy as pie. (Not that I can make pie ...)

The cashier didn't speak English, but after asking for a translator she went and got someone to assist, but didn't seem happy about it at first. I continued to smile and be pleasant and eventually she was also smiling and happy.

Only needed passport, Rodinne Cislo and only 100Kc to open an account with internet and ATM access.

Plus if you must block your stolen card, it is only 500Kc! I think I was supposed to be happy about that.

So if Ebanka and CS both charge fees then I suggest we should all have two accounts - preferably with two different banks. Leave the ATM card for one of them at home. If your card is stolen, go online and move all the money to the other bank or account and wait a month or two. You'll probably still have to pay for a new card but it won't be as much as blocking!!

9 July, 2009 - 08:55

Ausczech

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Ebanka

I signed up for an Ebanka account two years ago, and have a few concerns.

Firstly, they spoke no English where I went and had to take a Czech person with me - maybe that's changed.

Secondly, they don't offer interest of any significance, and they continuously bombard you with fees. They are the most expensive bank around.

Thirdly, as my wallet was stolen a couple of days ago, I was faced with the first attempt at a real crisis with them. With all my Australian cardsd - no worries, one phone call to the bank and they are blocked, with new ones on their way via DHL, accompanied by an apology that they can't be here on the other side of the world within 3 days.

Ebanka ... after perusing the whole website in Cz and Ang looking for a "report stolen card" number I gave up and rang the info line. There was an english option and a lovely young lady answered. However, she just blocked the card and told me I would have to go online and order another card, and I would have to pay for it. Furthermore, blocking of my card with Ebanka means a 2000Kc fee - so I have been told by another expat here yesterday. Better to go home, get online and transfer all your money out of the account and let the thieves have a go at it!

Then, when I did find the way to order a new card, it showed me a screen with EVERY detail of my account - including PIN, security code ... If such information is available online, this is a huge security risk in terms of hackers. Also, the contact address shown on this screen is the original one where I lived when I took out the account. I have moved twice and changed my details on the internet banking appropriately - but it appears that if I click the button to order the card, it will go to an address where no-one knows me ... in Jugoslavska of all places! I then wrote an email to their info line asking to confirm that my card will come to the current address on the account, not that old one. I am still waiting for a response.

My Czech partner uses Ceska Sporitelna, and today I will go and open an account with them. He says they're great and have Ang speakers. Does anyone have experience with this bank?

9 July, 2009 - 12:00

tyvole

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Ceska Sporitelna

I haven't had a problem with Raiffeisen so far, but then I've never had to report a stolen card etc.. I think their online banking is pretty safe because the codes are sent to your mobile phone and you have to get two of them for any transfers.

Ceska Sporitelna is allright I guess, they have better options for students. I used to teach at the branch on Janska and some of these guys had 5 years of English and didn't know what the word deposit meant. I asked them what happens when a foreigner comes in and they can't understand them and they told me that they get their colleague who lived in England for a while to take care of the customer. One them I don't like about that bank is there are sometimes long lines at the ATM machines.

4 July, 2009 - 07:59

Dzordz

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Re: Opening A Bank Account

While I was browsing one day ran into this article

Might help you

http://www.expats.cz/prague/article/money/czech-bank-comparisons-2008-up...

3 July, 2009 - 11:01

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Input

Thanks for your input guys. Glad to hear it was a relatively straightforward and painless process. I'm sure it will be useful info for others.

2 July, 2009 - 19:57

SiJD09

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Hi there, Opened a month or

Hi there,

Opened a month or so ago bank account with Raifeissen.
I agree with Slainte that the service is good. Needed: Passport, 500 CZK in cash, Mobile phone with sim card (optional -> enables you to use internet banking).
Procedure ~30 mins - English speaking assistant. About 1 week later they will call you to ask you to pick up your debit card. You can have multiple currency account (up to 5 I think) - no extra fees for that.
I used branch at Namesti Svobody - good service.
I have no comparison how cheap/expensive they are on day to day operations comparing with other banks (i.e. for cash withdrawals etc). I assume though that the difference should not be significant.

Good luck!

1 July, 2009 - 11:21

Slainte

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Raiffeisenbank

I opened an eKonto account with Raiffeisenbank in Freedom Square. All I needed was my passport. No other documentation required. Only mobile phone for activation. You also had to deposit 500kc.

My 500kc was a bit crumpled and the girl at the cashiers desk was not too happy about it!!!

Customer Service was great. There was only one person at reception desk that could speak English.

I also had to go back another day as I couldn't use their Internet Banking and they brought me upstairs to speak to someone who could speak English.

So I have had no problems with them so far.

4 July, 2009 - 18:26

cjcamargo

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Re: Raiffeisenbank

I just opened an eKonto/eKonto Plus account at Raiffeisenbank at Antoninska on Thursday. It took about 1.5 hours but they were having computer problems. I chose them because it is the bank recommended by IBM. My account is set up for crowns & dollars but I could choose up to 10 currencies.

All I needed was my passport and a cell phone. I didn't even have to deposit any funds because I will have direct deposit. If your monthly deposit is 25.000 crowns or more then there is no monthly maintenance fees.

The only thing that they could not do was offer me a credit card yet because I don't have a Czech credit history. They gave me a form to fill out and I must bring it back with three monthly pay stubs in order to apply. This kind of sucks because my U.S. cards all charge a 2% - 3% foreign transaction fee.

Christopher