Opening a Joint Bank Account in Malta

We went to the HSBC branch in Sliema today to open a joint account for the rent. They're actually very nice in there. While we were waiting to see an account opener-or whatever they're called-they asked if we wanted coffee or hot chocolate.

Yes, hot chocolate.

I was so shocked that a bank would offer you hot chocolate that I panicked and said no. Then chocolate withdrawal set in. By the time I finished shaking, it was our turn. My partner had asked me if I really wanted to do the talking because, it seems to him, that I talk around in circles sometimes and I don't get to the point.

Huh.

So I told him to give me a signal-instead of interrupting me-by touching my arm if I'm talking too much.

We sat down; I stated our business in maybe 60 seconds.

Then we got the info about starting a joint account. I was all set because I already had an account with HSBC-Malta which I had started about six months before I came to Malta from the U.S.

My partner, on the other hand, had to go through a whole process-even though he's from the EU and has an account in Germany.

The first question: did he have the elusive Maltese ID card? The answer was no-and then that meant that the HSBC-Malta Plan B would have to go into effect.

My partner would have to come in with his passport, his bank account and address in Germany and the name of his personal banker. He would have to sign a whole bunch of papers which would then be sent by regular mail-no emails, no faxes allowed-and then wait for all this to be returned by regular mail to HSBC-Malta.

How long would it take? As long as it took the bank in Germany to complete and return the papers by regular mail. In other words-it could take a long time.

At that point, my partner started saying, well, did he really have to go through this; after all he was an EU resident; he didn't really need his own account; we just wanted to get the joint account for the rent; we had to pay the rent six months in advance...in other words, he just started going around in circles and not getting to the point.

So, I touched his arm, then squeezed it hard until he stopped talking-and then I got him out of the bank before he yapped the account person to sleep.

Lessons Learned:

1. If you want to start a bank account in Malta, start the process months before you need to use it. Start in your own country-whether you're a non-EU or from an EU state. You'll still have to go through a lengthy procedure in which the Maltese bank will check your references with your former or other bank.

2. Let the woman do the talking.

P.S. My partner went to the bank today twice to start the process, but wouldn't wait in line.

Ilene Springer lives in Malta and is author of An-American-in-Malta.com