Which bank to choose?

[Waylander]

Hi everybody,
to keep all short I'm living in Finland and now wondering in which of the finnish banks to open an account? Back in my home country is everything more or less for cheaps (I have more accounts and the max I pay monthly is like 80 cents monthly and I get a mastercard and netbanking). So from a bank account here I would basically like four things:
1)Little to none ridiculous fees
2)an unternational debit card for paying everywhere (including internet)
3)credit card? I heard they don't accept debit cards on buses for example or such, I have no clue why, someone can maybe explain?
4)and finally - I'd like to send money occasionally within the EU: now I tried to do some research on that, people saying how sending is free and whatnot, but banks still charge outcoming and incoming fees? At least even my most foreign-friendly bank charges 4€ for incoming transactions from abroad. I also checked Nordea price list and there were some fees for foreign transactions, yet I don't know if it applies to EU as well.
5)the webpage or netbanking does not have to be in english, I am lost so far to google for a comparison, but I'm alright to do some normal stuff

Oh and I don't know if it matters, but I'm 24, not studying, starting to work.

If I'm asking too much or whatever, I will happily ask some independent financial advisor, preferably from some bigger company for an..
. advice. Does anyone know if there are some and which ones are the least annoying? Dunno if it exists here, but you know, those guys who are telling you they will make your money to make more money and then they talk you into a life insurance because they get the biggest bonus from it. I'd ask them more things, also about those bank codes or whatnot which I have to use for every transaction, probably in any bank...?



Well this got kinda longer than I planned, so if it's too much, I would be really happy just for an advice for those advisors who will then stalk me for the rest of my life:)

Oh and by the way... I read here quite a number of threads already and I don't really understand how could so many of them be turned into some sarcastic mocking or rudeness of any kind, even threads where I would not expect it to happen, so if someone like that, who has apparently such a boring life that has to do some goofy stuff on forums, I can, of course, live even without an advice from such an individual.

Thanks a lot.

And be all nice.

By the way Finland's great.

[Rip]

If the net bank does not need to be IN ENGLUSH, then s-pankki is free in almost all respects. A recent immigrant will probably find hard/impossible to get a local credit card. If I have understood right the authentication problems in busses etc relate to visa electron, not actual debit cards.

If you're still in your 20's you may qualify for youth packages offered by most banks.

If I am wrong please correct me when I say that SEPA payments (euros to euros) cost the same whether they cross national borders or not, that is are free for most private customers.

[betelgeuse]

If the net bank does not need to be free, then s-pankki is free in almost all respects. A recent immigrant will probably find hard/impossible to get a local credit card. If I have understood right the authentication problems in busses etc relate to visa electron, not actual debit cards.

I assume you mean that the net bank does not have to in Finnish?

OP what's your nationality? If you are not a EU citizen, be prepared to have to get a Finnish id for foreigners in order to get full online functionality.

If you're still in your 20's you may qualify for youth packages offered by most banks.

The OP will. For example the check-in program for Nordea runs until 28. In general there should be many banks that satisfy all the conditions of the OP. If they charge you fees, try next door.

If I am wrong please correct me when I say that SEPA payments (euros to euros) cost the same whether they cross national borders or not, that is are free for most private customers.

You are correct.

[Rip]

Stupid 'typo'. If one needs English language netbanking then the choices are Nordea, Danske and perhaps OP. If one can figure out n Finnish/Swedish there are severs additional options (like S-pankki)

[Waylander]

Thanks for the replies:)
I'm an EU citizen and I'm even registered here ans possess an ID card. I've checkes already there are some packs for youth that have some benefits, yet Nordea still seems to be charging 30€ for sending bank codes? And 3€ per month to maintain them? Not cool.

And yeah, netbanking only in fin/swe is alright. Basically it's all about fees, nice debit card and low fees to send some money within the EU.

Sorry for not quoting peoperly, I'm on the phone right now. And btw, osuspankki and original poster is pretty confusing

[network_engineer]

If you are not a EU citizen, be prepared to have to get a Finnish id for foreigners in order to get full online functionality.

Wasn't there a recent ruling that stated that banks must accept identities issued by other EU countries?

[Rip]

If you are not a EU citizen, be prepared to have to get a Finnish id for foreigners in order to get full online functionality.

Wasn't there a recent ruling that stated that banks must accept identities issued by other EU countries?

Yes, though I don't know if all will change their policy or wait for the result from appeal court.

[betelgeuse]

If you are not a EU citizen, be prepared to have to get a Finnish id for foreigners in order to get full online functionality.

Wasn't there a recent ruling that stated that banks must accept identities issued by other EU countries?

Yes hence my comment on *non* EU citizens. Granted the OP could have papers from another EU country.

[Waylander]

I can't delete my own posts? Apparently I posted two and apparently both of them got approved after 9 hours... I thought I only need approval for the thread starting, but alright, only it makes things a bit messy. Or I just don't understand.

Went to some banks today ( OP, Nordea. Danske), and basically all of them wanted a passport, my homeland ID card wasn't enough, even though it' from an EU country and in english. Getting my Fnnish id card tomorrow, still it took a surprisingly long time today to explain to each of them I'm not there to open an account right away, so they can stop asking me for passports, ID's and Kela cards.

OP is really lame, only Visa Electron, bank fees on SEPA payments and the most annoying - internet banking no sooner than 2-3 months. Really?

Nordea and Danske both pretty reasonable, Danske needs only an finnish ID apparently and you get even a debit card and SEPA for free, no other charges (if you're younger than 28).
Nordea seems to sport Mastercard credit should you want it, but not debit. Kinda weird policy I'd say, but whatever. All free, SEPA payments 6€... but they will let you put your own picture (ANY) on your cards... so I guess thats a dealbreaker for me:))) again, prices if you're check in below 28yo.
Downside thing might be that definitely Nordea and they said it's better for Danske too - that they need a reason about why do you need an account, so for example to bring a work contract. Might be a bit of a fuzz I suppose, myself thinking about using the TE office online website - you need to log in with your bank codes - but you can't, because to have a bank account, you need a job, and if you want to more effectively search for it, you need a bank account. <3 catch 22.

[betelgeuse]

Nordea and Danske both pretty reasonable, Danske needs only an finnish ID apparently and you get even a debit card and SEPA for free, no other charges (if you're younger than 28).
Nordea seems to sport Mastercard credit should you want it, but not debit. Kinda weird policy I'd say, but whatever. All free, SEPA payments 6€... but they will let you put your own picture (ANY) on your cards... so I guess thats a dealbreaker for me:))) again, prices if you're check in below 28yo.

Are you talking about non euro SEPA payments? Euro nominated SEPA payments are free in Nordea because they don't charge anything for domestic transfers. This can be seen in their price list here:

http://www.nordea.fi/Personal+customers ... t-transfer

Might be a bit of a fuzz I suppose, myself thinking about using the TE office online website - you need to log in with your bank codes - but you can't, because to have a bank account, you need a job, and if you want to more effectively search for it, you need a bank account. <3 catch 22.

It's also possible to use the Finnish id to login if you get a card reader. It's less handy but doable if the only option.

[Rip]

If you are not a EU citizen, be prepared to have to get a Finnish id for foreigners in order to get full online functionality.

Wasn't there a recent ruling that stated that banks must accept identities issued by other EU countries?

Which involved S-pankki and at least they have (at least temporarily, we'll see how the appeals go) announced they are complying.
For OP: most of the S-panki "offices" are inside SOKOS stores and Prismas.

Nordea still seems to be charging 30€ for sending bank codes?

If you loose your codes and they need to renew them early. But yes, there would be a monthly fee if you're not young )good for you!), rich or poor (deep enough in debt).

Nordea seems to sport Mastercard credit should you want it, but not debit.

Seem to be VISA branded by them. Makes no practical difference at least here.

[betelgeuse]

Nordea seems to sport Mastercard credit should you want it, but not debit.

Seem to be VISA branded by them. Makes no practical difference at least here.

New cards issues by Nordea are Mastercard. You can get a combo card from them that has both debit and credit (I have one).

[Waylander]

Sorry for being dead for a while.

Betelgeuse: I thought they told me a price 6€ even for SEPA payments, but I guess that either I or them were just confused.

I suppose card reader is an option, though for most (?) some money extra.

Anna: yeah that' what they told me, 4,7 per month, if you're older than 26.
Nordea and Danske have those youth packages up until 28, so another point for them. I have been considering s-pankki before, but I guess I'll just rule them oit now... and see later if I want to change my account, for example after 28. bday.

Like I said about Nordea, so far I qualify only for Mastercard credit, at Danske for Mastercard debit... both should be free under 28 if asked.

[Upphew]

Like I said about Nordea, so far I qualify only for Mastercard credit, at Danske for Mastercard debit... both should be free under 28 if asked.

Btw, skip the Nordea's own MC credit and head to https://stockmann.com/fi/CustomerService/KantaAsiakkuus to get free credit card... from Nordea
If you tick the right boxes and have a card already from Nordea you'll get one card with both debit and credit.

[Mr_TC]

OP is really lame, only Visa Electron, bank fees on SEPA payments and the most annoying - internet banking no sooner than 2-3 months. Really?

I don't think you can get around the internet banking rule easily.
I got an account in Nordea in March thi year and I first got netbanking this week even though I already was a customer in Nordea Denmark.
They seem to take the "Know your customer" principle really seriously.