Gran Alacant Forum

Gran Alacant Forum => Local Services, Builders, Installers etc. => Topic started by: Sam F. on January 08, 2018, 20:06.

Title: Banking fees
Post by: Sam F. on January 08, 2018, 20:06.
I use to be in Caixa Catalunya bank - in ALicante. It was swallowed by BBVA, and now in Gran Alacant. However, I have not been impressed, all information they send me, even in letters by snail mail is only in Spanish, and latest they took some 60 euro from my account, calling it "Settlement of interest-commisions-cost" on the account statement. (at least english - but no idea what it covers), but will ask them next time I come down. ANYWAY - if I decide to change to another bank, what can You all recommend? I HATE fees, especially when transferring money from home up north to Spain, and other fees like for credit cards, account statements etc. Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Banking fees
Post by: John H on January 08, 2018, 22:24.
From my limited experience if you arn’t a resident you will have a problem waiving all fees, however if you have a Spanish mortgage to pay or spend a few euros on your visits Sabadells expansion account may be suitable
I attach the details

Regards all

John (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180108/03bd8266e9fbd18a8a34661588d5d239.jpg)


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Title: Re: Banking fees
Post by: Tony Gillam on January 09, 2018, 08:20.
My Spanish a/c was with BBVA. They are very partial to fees for anything that moves and even for stuff that doesn't. I used to run mine in a way to minimise it as far as possible but was unable to eliminate it.
Title: Re: Banking fees
Post by: Sam F. on January 09, 2018, 08:44.
Anyone here using Deutsche bank?
Title: Re: Banking fees
Post by: Blue and white stripes on January 09, 2018, 09:16.
I've been with BBVA for 18 years and I don't like fees either but I've never had a problem with them in all the time I've been with them so have never changed.
Part of the problem is we all get free banking in England. I remember having to pay bank charges on my old Midland account in England just for having one.
Title: Re: Banking fees
Post by: Aficionado on January 09, 2018, 09:47.
Anyone here using Deutsche bank?

Yes - been with them for 10 years now, always found them to be very helpful. Contact Jorge Ortega in the Plaza Mayor branch for info.
Title: Re: Banking fees
Post by: Spurs on January 09, 2018, 10:37.
I’ve been with Deutche bank 18 years always been good but the fees do keep coming
Title: Re: Banking fees
Post by: Michael on January 09, 2018, 12:51.
I've been with Deutche Bank for 15 years.  I find them to be very good as well.  I've always found them to be helpful, there's always someone in the bank who speaks good english, and the online banking facility is good too. 
Title: Re: Banking fees
Post by: Tony Gillam on January 10, 2018, 09:17.
As a retail banker in a previous life, I would agree that there is no "free" banking anymore than a solicitor or plumber will work for nothing. However, I found the level of charging for some banking services bordering on the "stand and deliver" scale.
Title: Re: Banking fees
Post by: sunseekers on January 10, 2018, 20:24.
Sabadell expansion account under the terms shown by John, no fees.
Title: Re: Banking fees
Post by: johnm on February 14, 2018, 16:07.
 I was moved from Cam bank when it floundred  ,where I paid 35 euros a year fees + 15 euros for a debit card, to Sabadel Cam where the charges have steadily increased to a whopping 210Euros ( this did include 60 euros for the non resident certification) and the rest was for administering 6 direct debits!The charges were shown in the latest " certificate of transparency" which they now issue every year.
 I was originally with BBVA (Gran Alacant) and transfered to Cam because of the ridiculous amount of queing time at BBVA ,20 people and one teller!!!.
However, BBVA are are now offering an on line account with no fees or administration charges and a free debit card !
Has any body tried this yet?
I am making an appointment at BBVA when I `m back in Gran Alacant tomorrow.,so I`ll see how it goes.

Also, I understand that the bi annual charges for non resident confirmation which all Spanish Banks are compelled to supply to the authorities can be negated by supplying the bank with a certificate of non residency available on production of documentation at any police station.Quite how they achieve this I don`t know.
Has anybody any info on this?
Title: Re: Banking fees
Post by: BeachLife on February 15, 2018, 06:06.
Hi John - I can fully understand why you left BBVA back in the day. But I have stuff stuck with them (despite the queues). I don’t need to actually go and join the line to see Mr Misery much - how he must love his job. You can do lots of stuff at the ATM as it has a barcode scanner so you can pay any bills such as SUMA charges without joining the line. The BBVA app on my i-Phone is pretty good, easy to access, in English and quite intuitive.
None of them (the banks) are great but BBVA seems to work OK for me.


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Title: Re: Banking fees
Post by: Spurs on February 15, 2018, 12:01.
Often seen people paying bills in the machine while in the queue to pay my bin tax bill in there do you need a BBVA card or can I use a Duetche bank card in that machine to pay it ?