Going on your big OE?
Heading off overseas is an exciting time. Here are some tips to help manage your money, access your bank account and send money home while you're overseas.
01
Access your accounts while you're overseas
If you've got access to the internet, no matter where you are, you'll be able to manage your ASB accounts from a laptop, desktop or mobile phone.
Bank online with FastNet Classic
Simply log in to your account through FastNet Classic internet banking with your user name and password then you can check your balances, pay bills, manage your credit cards, transfer money and more.
Set up automatic payments
You may have some regular bills to pay while you are away, so before you go, set up automatic payments so you can relax knowing that they'll be paid on time. You can do this in FastNet Classic internet banking.
Use your mobile to do your banking
If you haven't already, it makes sense to download the ASB Mobile app especially if you are travelling.
With ASB Mobile you can make payments, transfer money, manage your credit card and generally do all your day-to-day banking from your phone. Just be aware of data roaming changes. Use a password-protected free WIFI connection wherever you can.
02
Acting on your behalf
If you are away from New Zealand for an extended period, you may want to consider giving someone you trust the Authority to Operate your accounts or have a Power of Attorney manage your affairs if for any reason you're not able to. For example if you are travelling somewhere remote.
- To give someone the Authority to Operate your accounts, you'll need to complete a form nominating your trusted person.
- If you are setting up a Power of Attorney, we'll need to see an original or certified copy of the Power of Attorney document (usually prepared by a solicitor) to action it.
There are other requirements for setting up an Authority to Operate or Power of Attorney, so please check our guide on giving someone else authority to operate your bank accounts.
03
International money transfers - getting money back into your ASB account
If you are able to work overseas you'll probably have an overseas bank account to direct your pay into, as you do at home.
If you want to send money back to your ASB account in New Zealand, you'll need to send an International Money Transfer (also known as a Telegraphic Transfer) from your overseas bank account. To do that, it's really important you have the right information about your ASB account.
A deposit into your ASB bank account can be made from anywhere in the world. You just need to provide the sender with the following information:
- Your full account name.
- Your full account number (12-3nnn-0nnnnnn-nn or foreign currency account number nnnnnnnn-[CCY]-nn). If an IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is requested please provide your full ASB account number.
- Beneficiary bank name: ASB Bank Limited, 12 Jellicoe St, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
- ASB’s SWIFT Code/BIC: ASBBNZ2A.
You need to take care when giving, writing or entering beneficiary account information. International money transfers are often processed by account number only, so it's important this is correct. Even though we ask for your account name and number, our systems don't check that they correspond.
04
Opening an overseas bank account
If you are planning to work or live in Australia as part of your big OE, you might want to open a bank account over there before you go. Because ASB is part of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) Group, we can help you open your Australian bank account, so you are up and running as soon as you arrive; you don't even need to be an ASB customer.
To open your CBA account, you can apply online or simply ask at any ASB Advice Centre.
Please note that opening an account with CBA is subject to CBA's account opening criteria, their fees and terms and conditions will apply and these are not ASB's responsibility.
05
Using your Visa Debit card overseas
An ASB Visa Debit card is a good thing to take with you overseas. You can use it wherever Visa is accepted to make purchases and withdraw money from ATMs. It's your own money, so it's easy to monitor your spending.
Just note that when you use it at an ATM or for purchases overseas, you will incur service charges and fees. A good way to incur fewer fees is to use your Visa Debit card to take out larger sums of cash, and use that to pay for smaller goods and services. That way, you won't have to make lots of ATM withdrawals and you'll save money on cash withdrawal fees.
Staying in control of your card
ASB Card Control lets you lock your Visa Debit card from your mobile phone if you lose it, and then unlock it again if it turns up in your jacket pocket. You can also:
- Turn international transactions on or off
- Turn cash withdrawals on or off
- Turn online transactions on or off
- And more
Check out the many other features of ASB Card Control. To use Card Control, you’ll need to download the ASB Mobile app to your smartphone.
06
Losing your Visa Debit card
Losing or having your cards, money and documents stolen is a nuisance to say the least.
So it's a good idea to keep a record of your cards and passport details, so you can quickly replace them.
You can keep these in your own online vault under 'Bank Details' in FastNet Classic internet banking.
Here you can also store things like your overseas account numbers, important contacts (such as your relatives, doctor or solicitor), medical details, and other personal information such as drivers licence details.
If you do lose your card, you will need to call us on +64 9 306 3000 if you are overseas, and we'll cancel and replace your ASB Visa Debit card.
Apply for an ASB Visa Debit Card
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The above information is a guide only and should not be relied on as it does not take into account your personal financial situation. ASB's lending criteria and terms apply.
