Credit cards and deposit

Hi,
If the credit itself is not mandatory for you, SBM has an option - Smile card. It is VISA card and I used it successfully for online shopping. No any extra deposit was required. You able to spend only amount of money which you put on card.

Hi Olga,

This is my plan B :-)

From what I understand though, I have to go in-branch to top it up each time, I cannot transfer money onto it online from my account can I?

Yes, you understand it right. It is impossible to do a transfer. And there is no internet banking for this type of card.

HSBC will ask you a 115% deposit which is still better than 200% (even though I agree it's kind of surprising especially since I banked with HSBC for a long time in France where I have Premium status).

try hsbc bank.

I also use the SBM SMILE prepaid card...and while very convenient, it is to be noted that it does not work on some websites especially those 'Secured by Visa' where you need your online banking username and password.

Try CIM. No deposit required

Dark-Knight11 wrote:

Try CIM. No deposit required

Even for non Mauritian nationals?

I am pretty sure the bank will not require any deposit in case you have a monthly fixed income on your account.

look into the prepay cards from either HSBC, MCB  or Afrasia
no deposit required, you can top up online, and use it for online payments as well as POS in shops restaurants etc

You don't need to bank with them to get the card either!