Sterling bank account needed to receive pension payments

[Kazza]

I'm resident in Cyprus and only have a bank account in Cyprus. Pension payments are due to be paid shortly in sterling and I thought it would be better to have a sterling account so I could choose when to exchange currencies.

Does anybody know who offers a sterling account to an expat living in Cyprus which is capable of receiving pension payments electronically from England?

[josef k]

I use a Transferwise account.

www.transferwise.com

[Diocletian]

I'm resident in Cyprus and only have a bank account in Cyprus. Pension payments are due to be paid shortly in sterling and I thought it would be better to have a sterling account so I could choose when to exchange currencies.

Does anybody know who offers a sterling account to an expat living in Cyprus which is capable of receiving pension payments electronically from England?

Would your existing Cypriot Bank offer an account to accept Sterling?

[Diocletian]

I'm resident in Cyprus and only have a bank account in Cyprus. Pension payments are due to be paid shortly in sterling and I thought it would be better to have a sterling account so I could choose when to exchange currencies.

Does anybody know who offers a sterling account to an expat living in Cyprus which is capable of receiving pension payments electronically from England?

Would your existing Cypriot Bank offer an account to accept Sterling?

[galexinda]

Worth checking the cost of maintaining a sterling account run by your Cypriot bank - overall may be better off just having the pension transferred direct from UK to Cyprus. I originally had a sterling account with my Cyprus bank but soon closed it because of this.

If the pension payment is your State Pension then the DWP does give a very competitive exchange rate for those who choose to have it paid directly into their Cyprus Euro account.

[Concerned Chlorakas]

I'm in a similar position concerning the pension payment. For 8 years now I have been with NedBank Isle of Man. Pensions put into the Sterling account by bank transfer by DWP. Within the one account I have both Sterling and Euro accounts. When the rates are advantageous, I can exchange GBP to Euro within the account. A GBP and EURO Visa card are supplied so in Cyprus it is obviously best to use Euro card. Their online portal is easy to use, and they have excellent telephone customer support. No charges provided you maintain the minimum balances in each currency. I would highly recommend them.

[Devil]

I understood from my bank that they receive the payments directly in EUR.

[Jimgym]

Open a Revolut account. I have sterling and euro accounts. I did have a sterling account with Hellenic, but it appears that they take sterling and each time you withdraw there were charges. Needless to say i switched to Revolut and it's brilliant.

[Devil]

I have only a Hellenic EUR account and a 25% UK pension. The latter is paid directly in EUR once every three months. The exchange rate that the UK operates is favourable and a tad better than if I had to do the change locally. I believe it is a mistake to have a GBP account in a Cypriot bank.

[chris&pam]

Hi Jimgym

Regarding your Revolut account, is that a UK account with a UK Sorting Code and Account number? If so am considering switching to Revolut.

Cheers

Chris

[glang3000]

I would recomend the Wise account, mentioned above as it used to be called Transferwize. They have a great free bank account, you can pay in in Sterling, it pays interest on the balance and you can pay for things with a virtual card ( they sent me an actual card after 3 months for free),
Its very easy to use and the exchange rate is great with minimal charges.

I have both Wise and revalut but find the wise one easier to use.

[Jimgym]

Hi Jimgym

Regarding your Revolut account, is that a UK account with a UK Sorting Code and Account number? If so am considering switching to Revolut.

Cheers

Chris

Hi yes it is. I have 3 accounts, sterling, euro and US Dollar. I have physical cards for both sterling and euro accounts and find Revolut very user friendly.

[jeba]

I've tried repeatedly to open a Revolut account - to no available. They didn't recognise my passport, nor my German ID card during the identifikation process. So I opened a Wise-account. No problems so far.