BANKS IN NEUSS
Banking in Germany is similar to that of many countries. Big players with branches scattered across urban areas, infrequent mergers, and online options. The largest retail banks are Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank and the Sparkasse savings bank group. Another option for regular banking is the Postbank. Renowned private bankers such as HSBC Trinkaus & Burghardt, Merck Finck or Sal. Oppenheim can be found in Düsseldorf.
Those wishing for a personal touch in Neuss could turn to a local branch and speak to a friendly human being. Beyond banking, the savings banks have a mandate to support the local community through diverse activities. Many online only versions of bank accounts are available in the marketplace with internet banking mostly in German.
The Euro Zone
One of the greatest advantages of opening a bank account in the Euro zone is that movement of funds is treated as local regardless of whether from Neuss to düsseldorf or Paris and Barcelona, say. The transfer is free of charge to a Euro account, takes a day but can be expedited for a fee.
Free accounts are seldom available and costs for simply fulfilling the need to receive and transfer money are high compared with many other places including the UK.
Many banks also charge fees for cash withdrawals on cards issued by competitors. One strange quirk of the German system is that cash dispensers never offer an option to supply a receipt for the transaction. Ecologically good and medically safe perhaps, yet a surprise for the most correct people on the planet.
Opening an account without being registered in Germany can prove difficult but is possible. Easy online banks have been rising in recent years. N26 is disputed amongst expats while your writer has had excellent cross border experience with Transferwise.Â
On a more somber note, should the cancellation of lost or stolen cards become necessary the national number 116 116 can be called free of charge.
By Vincent Green / Feb 29 2020
EXHIBITIONS IN NEUSS
Art venues and museums in and around Neuss regularly present selections of their fine pieces in well presented exhibitions. They often exhibit fascinating and rare works from across the globe with exhibitions of loaned works of art.
PETS IN NEUSS
Germans, on the whole, love and respect pets and are friendly towards dogs. Dogs are permitted on public transport and inside restaurants but keeping a pet on a leash is a must. Dog ownership is highly regulated and taxed through a compulsory licence fee. .
English language movies are fortunately to be found in Neuss. Expats can view films from time to time in two cinemas. Screenings are occasionally in OV, original version or original with subtitles, OmU.
