For expats who are just arriving in the country it may be possible to open an account with one of the international banks which has a base there. Banks such as HSBC allow expats to hold accounts through one of their Brunei branches and will give customers access to a range of products and services worldwide. There will also be a choice of local banks, which are useful if you intend to stay in the country for some time and do not want to carry out any international transactions, as fees and charges may be lower.

In order to open an account you must present a certain amount of documentation when you visit the bank. You will need to present your passport and/or a locally issued ID card as proof of identity, a copy of your employment contract and proof of address, which may be a copy of your tenancy agreement or a utility bill. Depending on the bank, you may also be asked for a small deposit when you open the account. Some banks may also expect you to keep a minimum balance in the account, but this can be as little as $5.

Joint accounts can be opened for spouses and debit cards will be issued in both names. A current account is the most popular type of account and is used for day to day transactions. Monies can be paid in by cheque, cash or money transfer and bills can be paid by cheque, cash, direct debit or standing order. Current accounts can be monitored using telephone and internet banking and a number of transactions can also be carried out using these methods.

Savings accounts and fixed term accounts are very popular in Brunei and there is a healthy offshore banking business. The country has become popular as a tax haven and many wealthy people are choosing to deposit their money there. The same regulations are in place for opening savings accounts but these accounts pay a higher rate of interest. If you choose to limit access to your funds then you can find even higher interest rates but your initial deposit will also be expected to be higher, and may be as much as several thousand dollars.

ATM machines are located at all bank branches and in busy areas. You may be charged to use the ATM or if you use ATMs which belong to another banking group. It is a good idea to find out these charges in advance so you can choose your bank based on your own personal needs. If you choose to use a debit card issued in another country you may find that you are charged by that bank and international charges are usually much higher than local ones. You may also find that if you travel abroad the charges for using your Brunei debit card are high, and there are some ATM cards which can only be used within the country itself. If you need to travel regularly then you should make your bank aware of it when you open the account so that you get the right account and the right card for your needs.

Banks are open during normal working hours although some branches in smaller towns and villages may choose to only open part-time. Some banks will have a customer service department that can be contacted by telephone outside of these hours if you should need extra help. When you visit your bank you should find that most of the staff speaks English there and you should also be given the choice to receive all correspondence and statements in English.

Some banks may prefer you to only use your local branch for transactions such as money transfers, while others allow you to use any branch. If your bank is going to restrict you in this way you should make sure that you choose your branch carefully and that it should be close to either where you live or work to make it easier for you.

Most banks will have application forms that can be downloaded from their websites, although you will need to print them out to complete them and taken them into the bank with you. There should also be information on charges and different types of accounts. Most banks will also be able to advise account holders on other financial products such as pensions and investments.