Banking

 

There is a reasonable number of Banks and ATMs around Suva making it pretty straight forward to access cash.  The main banks are ANZ, Westpac and BSP.

 

Bank Houses

Westpac Head Office/ Main branch:

Corner of Marks & Thomson Streets

Suva

Bank Manager Varanisese Serevi

Phone (679) 331 3450

Mobile (679) 999 5811

Fax (679) 331 1220

Email vserevi@westpac.com.au

BSB 039016

View in Google maps

 

ANZ House

25 Victoria Parade

Suva

Fiji

SWIFT code: ANZBFJFX

Ph: 321-3000

 

BSP Head Office/ Main Branch

Suva Central Branch

Pratt Street (Corner Renwick Road)

Phone (679) 321 4300 or 132 888

Email customercare@bsp.com.fj

 

ANZ, BSP and Westpac ATMs are in all major towns in Fiji.

 

To open an account you need to go to the branch.  You will need to present a letter from your UN agency, your passport, and several hundred dollars to open the account. Most UN staff have both Fiji Dollar and US Dollar accounts along with an Access card for withdrawing cash from ATMs. Once you have set up an account, you can do a lot of your banking, including bill paying on-line.

 

 

Changing and Withdrawing Money

Money changers abound in Fiji, especially in Suva and Nadi.

 

As well as ANZ and Westpac ATMs, there are BSP ATMs in main urban centres, and these accept the main international cards including Cirrus and Maestro.

 

Credit cards can be used at larger hotels, restaurants and many shops – Visa, Amex and Master Card are generally accepted.  Ususally a 2.5% - 3% surcharge is incurred.

 

 

Taking Money out of Fiji

There are no restrictions on the amount of money you can take out of the country, although approval from the Reserve Bank is needed if more then FJD 5,000 is taken out in cash. (This is the regulation for expats, not for local Fijians who are only allowed to take out FJD 500 in cash.)

 

If you are transferring money from your ANZ account (this applies to both your FJD and USD accounts) to a foreign bank at the end of your posting, there is no limit to the amount which can be transferred. However, you need a letter from your UN agency stating that your contract in Fiji is due to end in order for ANZ to be able to make the transfer.

 

If you are wiring/transferring money through Western Union, you must also first get approval from the Reserve Bank.

 

If you are selling property or a car, approval is needed from the Reserve Bank in order for the money to be transferred out of the country. If you are selling property, you must also get clearance and a tax invoice from the Inland Revenue Department.