Quote Originally Posted by imagine View Post
only problem is at the phil end the nearest hsb is quite a way away from where i will be, maybe result in more charges, like for cash cards in atm charges , or transfering to a local phil bank
HSBC is probably a good bank for starters. but as you have said their branches are limited. They used to have no charge if you used a foreign ATM card in their machines. Fund transfers were very easy as well using online banking.

Have a look at BDO or Metrobank and see if they are competitive.