I’m not happy with my bank!

Janisinspain wrote on Sat Mar 13, 2021 1:11pm:

Not only are Holabank increasing their account maintenance charges but they are demanding 50euros for giving me a debit card. They want to effectively charge me for getting access to my money (which they are already making money on) !

Can anyone recommend a Spanish bank suited to the needs of a non resident? I need one where I can communicate in English and that will switch my direct debits for me as I can’t come to Spain myself whilst there are Covid travel restrictions....

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Ant thoughts or experiences will be much appreciated!

Portet wrote on Sat Mar 13, 2021 1:12pm:

Why do you want a Spanish account? It is not necessary.

Janisinspain wrote on Sat Mar 13, 2021 1:30pm:

How else would I pay my direct debits for water, Suma etc? 

I was under the impression that you have to have a bank with a Spanish IBAN for this - or do you know otherwise Portet?  🤫

Portet wrote on Sat Mar 13, 2021 1:33pm:

Open a Transferwise (now called Wise) account. Then add one of their borderless accounts to it. The borderless account gives you a Belgian IBAN which is what I use to pay all of my DD's. I no longer have a Spanish bank account. The Wise account is easy and free to operate and exchange rates among...

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...st best in business. Search Transferwise on forum for more info.

tebo53 wrote on Sat Mar 13, 2021 2:48pm:

I fully agree with Portet. I've been with Transferwise (wise) for 7 years and never had a problem. Transfers are done within minutes and they can do direct debits etc. Highly recommended.

https://transferwise.com/es

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Steve 

Janisinspain wrote on Sat Mar 13, 2021 6:23pm:

Thank you Portet and Steve.  We have had a good look at the Transferwise posts here and are going to open an account with them today.

Things have moved on such a lot with banking nowadays, and although we use online banking and have ‘the banking apps’ we’re not up to speed, due to the fact that we’re 2 old fowgies!!...

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Thanks again for your help and advice.

Take care and stay safe 😘

Donna1952 wrote on Sun Mar 14, 2021 4:47pm:

Hi have you Changed to Wise??

I ask because I need to change from CaixaBank  who have now started to charge €35 to just bank with them ... it’s diabolical .. they say it’s to do with Brexit and us not being in the EU..

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I thought we needed a Spanish account same as you for , community fees, pool and garden attendance and all other fees etc..

Janisinspain wrote on Sun Mar 14, 2021 5:38pm:

Yes, they’re modern day Dick Turpins. Putting the charges up to €35 a quarter is bad enough but that no longer includes a ‘free’ debit card - it’s €50 per year for one of those!!!

So, we’ve decided to open a Wise account tomorrow. We’ll see how it goes, see if we manage to transfer our dds successfully to be paid from the Wise account, get one of their debit cards, which they say are free, and we’ll cancel the Caixabank debit card....

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If all goes well, we’ll then close our caixabank account and our home insurance policy that’s with them too!

I’m so glad I asked this forum for advice!

Good luck Donna1952 

cp wrote on Sun Mar 14, 2021 5:44pm:

I would like to change to Wise too as Bank Inter’s charges have been astronomical recently but I am not sure how I can find the direct debit details to move them from here in the UK.  They were all set up for me by my lawyers when I purchased my house. Any ideas please?