Job Discussion Forums

El_Che · Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 34 Location: Spain

any recommendations?

i've had a particularly unpleasant experience with an english bank with a spanish franchise, so i'm looking to change.

any good/bad experiences gratefully received.

QatarChic · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 445 Location: Qatar

I think when it comes to banking, people's experiences can widely differ with one bank....... La Caixa are good, why not try them? I still have an account with them and have found them to be very eifficent.....

El_Che · Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 34 Location: Spain

mdk · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 425

Well, I actually did all my banking through the Fresno County Employees Federal Credit Union. I found the 1-2% they clout you at the ATM well worth avoiding the hassle of using a Spanish bank.

You set up direct deposit and you're good to go.

Moore · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 730 Location: Madrid

Don't bother with BBVA, they are royally cr*p. I'd follow QatarChics advice and go with La Caixa.

mdk · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 425

I should point out if you decide to go the ATM route with a home bank, that it is a VERY good idea to have a second account with a second ATM card. For instance, I have one with PATELCO in which I stash a few hundred.

That way if the ATM eats your card you don't find yourself on Ramblas de Catalunya with 50 centimes in your pocket. You can use the PATELCO card to keep you going until you can get it sorted out.

That way you don't have to sing "The Ballad of Billy The Kid" in the metro for spare change.

CharlesTESOL · Joined: 06 Jul 2004 Posts: 81 Location: Barcelona, Spain

I've banked with La Caixa for years and as far as banks go it's been good. It's the largest savings bank in Spain, so it must be doing something right.

MO39 · Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 11:25 pm Post subject:

I lived in Madrid for several months this year and banked at La Caixa. I had no trouble at all opening an account, even though I was an American on a tourist visa; they asked for no identification other than my passport. When I lost my bankcard, a replacement card was delivered to my local branch within three days! The people I dealt with were always quite helpful and friendly.

El_Che · Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 34 Location: Spain

i settled on la caixa. thanks to all for your advice.

i already have my mortgage with them, so setting up an account took 5 minutes! not sure if free banking exisits in spain, but la caixa charge 12 euros a year for the privilege for having an account with them, and another 10 euros a year for an ATM card. oh yeah, another 90 cents a month for maintenance of the account!!!!

still they appear to offer a good and friendly service, and offer online banking too.