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svDrifter · 17-02-2011, 10:49

I currently have funds split between four different checking accounts. There isn't a great deal of money in any of the four accounts, but I've split it up simply to deal with unforeseen problems with one or the other in various places as I'm cruising. I'm not terribly confident that any of them are worth a darn.

I was wondering if someone might suggest a particular banking institution that has stood above the rest with regard to trouble-free transactions in various countries around the world, particularly pertaining to internet access and transactions.

Thanks for any assistance.

svDrifter

**GordMay** · 17-02-2011, 13:16

Drifter.
Send all your money to my bank. Hurry. Satisfaction absolutely guaranteed.
Gord
president for life
Bank of Unlimited Commerce Overseas.

Rearsteer · 17-02-2011, 13:29

I have found Citi Bank to work well in Mexico. If you use a Banamex ATM there is no charge and they are easy to find. As for the rest of the world I do not know, but Citi is big so I would think between BofA and Citi it should work well. Injoy your trip!

RainDog · 17-02-2011, 13:46

I think your "spit it up plan" is a good one. I use two banks (Etrade and Wells Fargo). I have often not been able to use one of them, but so far never both at once.

Kettlewell · 17-02-2011, 13:51

Anywhere from Canada to Panama and on to Colombia I have never had an issue using any bank's ATM cards, even in very small backwater places. They all use major networks like Cirrus or NYCE. However, it is worthwhile to have at least two different cards with two different banks, just in case the ATM is rejecting one or the other on a particular day. I sometimes found this to be the case. One card wouldn't work, but the other would, then the next day it was the other way around! I used two small-town local banks, one of which was a credit union. I've found the smaller banks much easier to deal with. You can get to know some people there and call them up if you have a problem, and/or have a trusted person in the area to deal with the bank for you. Another thing is to not keep loads of cash in any of these accounts just in case your card is stolen and your numbers compromised. Set up some way to periodically have just enough money transferred into your accounts you will be withdrawing from.

**Hudson Force** · 17-02-2011, 13:53

We bank online with a secure site provided by an established credit union in the US. If your cruising range allows occasonal internet and ATM access, this suits well.

speciald@ocens. · 17-02-2011, 13:55

As long as you keep less than 100k in your account, you should be safe. I use broker account that actually pays interest and will forward money to an off-shore bank with an email from me.

Doodles · 17-02-2011, 15:27

HSBC works fine for us. We move between the US and Thailand regularly and use their online banking, CC's & ATM's almost exclusively.

John A · 17-02-2011, 15:58

I use Merrill Lynch's Cash Management Account with a debit card to access my Social Security direct deposits. It's been working fine for the last 15 years, throughout Central America, the Caribbean, and Bahamas. I only use the debit card for cash withdrawals at the ATM's and larger purchases.

daddle · 17-02-2011, 16:13

I'd agree that one should carry at least two unrelated cards. One account or another will often not work. Or perhaps the PIN slips ones memory. That "happened to a friend"

Out here in the islands ATMs and banks can be scarce...a thousand miles away....so a wad of cash might be carried too.