Hey. I was just wondering if anyone had any tips on banking over there? I have heard of the Partners FCU and also Suntrust, but from your experience which one is better to go with? Also as i am saving up before i go, is it possible to transfer all your money once you get out there and open a new account? Thanks, Natalie x
I had and still have suntrust and I like them! It's a good bank and they have a office at wallmart so it's easy to access! You should be able to transfer your money as soon as your account is open.
What are the reasons people choose Suntrust over Partners? Is there somewhere people can look to get more information on the two banks?
The link below is for Sun Trust banking, I dont think Vista have a website.... For that past two years I have been going with Vista Credit Union but this time I am going to go with Sun Trust.... I cant remember all of Vista charges but im sure there used to be a couple. Also Sun Trust is easier to access than Vista and also with sun trust you have a charge card so u can use it in shops where as with vista you could only use it at a cash machine.... I dont know if there where different cards with Vista but I believe that was the general ones they gave. https://www.suntrust.com/portal/server.pt
Bit of a silly question, but can you open an account before you go? A few times the dollar has climbed to $2 per pound and i'd love to get some money changed then and put it away in an account rather than having a few thousand dollars hanging round the house and then having to take them over there. Or would I have to leave it in pounds, in my UK account and get it transferred? Which potentially could lose me some cash as the pound might not be so strong then and the banks would probably charge for the transfer. :-\
Thanks for the info on the banks! Elle, you could always just order the money in traveler's cheques or cash from your bank when the exchange rate is good. That would mean that you'd essentially have a lot of cash lying around until you leave though. I'm not sure if you can start an account before you get there. I believe you need an address to start an account, and you won't know your address until you move in.
I don't think you can open an account before you're there, unless you already have an american social securitey numnber.
you cant with partners because you need a disney id... i think. partners is easier for the summer because theres a branch near chat and magic kingdom, you have to pay about $5 a month to keep it active
I know that this is probably not possible but I just thought I'd ask...can you get your paychecks put straight into your bank account (direct deposit) and if so can you get it put in a bank account from your country (Canada for me)
Yes you can set up direct debit for your paycheck to go straight into your account... as for an account in your country, i am not sure... if they were able to then im guessing they would charge... but im not certain
I have heard that they can't put money into the account from your own country. You will have to open an American bank account because they don't do transactions between different countries. I was a little worried about that too because I'm still paying off my student loans and it comes out of my account every month but I'm keeping enough in there for the year and taking the rest. You can always ask your parents to transfer money in there for you as well, or send them a money order for them to put it in your account for you so if you do have bills coming out of there, you're all set!
I went with Vista FCU (now Partners) simply because I found it easier. Working at MK meant there was a bank near by every time I went to work (in the Disney U), and you can get money out on property too. I really only went to Walmart once every 3 months (that was a LOT of shopping to bring back!) so Suntrust really wasn't that convenient. I still have it open now, and it's only $3 a month to keep it open.
DisneyDreamer85.. If you have paypal associated with your accounts, it's no problem transferring money
sorry if i sound dense but how do you use paypal in Florida? i have a paypal account but i've only ever used it for buying on eBay
i had a paypal account connected to my account in norway, and one connected to my account in the us. I then signed in to paypal, and transferred money between my paypal accounts, which then both draw and deposit money from and to mu bank accounts. no biggie really
