Personal Banking

Hi Eric,

If you need a physical bank in Spain, the only one I've heard of that is free of charges is Cajamar's Wefferent account.  Other banks offer fee-free accounts, but with conditions, e.g. Sabadell's Expansion account for residents doesn't incur charges, so long as you have your pension paid direct from the UK provider to your Spanish bank, and if you buy one of their over-priced insurance policies.

Alternatively, one of the online providers, such as Wise, Revolut and N26 may be more convenient - you just need to ensure that whichever you choose, it has an EU IBAN (International Bank Account Number).

Kind regards,

Kim

I have a Sabadell Expansion account which is free of all charges because I have my UK state pension paid into it, but I do not have insurance with them.

I've had the account for four years, maybe the t&c's are different for new customers.

I have banked with Sabadell for over a decade and do indeed have a house contents insurance with them, which is at a price comparable to other entities.

I find their customer service excellent.

Hi Janice,

You're very lucky to receive good service from a Spanish bank branch - it's not the norm - and it isn't just "foreigners" saying so:

https://www.spainenglish.com/2022/02/13/im-old-not-an-idiot-pensioner-presents-600000-signatures-to-economy-ministry/

Every year, I compare the house and car insurance offerings from Sabadell and my current insurers, Liberty Seguros, but never has Sabadell been competitive enough to even compensate for the €120 that I have to pay in resident bank account fees.  Thankfully, their online and mobile services are pretty good so, for the most part, it negates me having to visit my branch.

I'm pleased that a few members have reported good service from their own bank branches; sadly, at Sabadell in Almoradí, that has not been my experience.  When I complete an online customer survey, I don't expect on my next visit to branch, some 3 months later, to be vilified for my response to their customer service.  Even when I explained to my so-called "personal banker" that, on a scale of 1 to 10, 5 is average, she told me that she felt the service she gives to customers should be rated at a minimum of 8 😳 As politely as I could, I explained that the point of customer surveys is to obtain the opinion of the..... customer! 😄

Kind regards, 

Kim

In Spain the quality of the service and customer care can vary widely from branch to branch not necessarily between banks themselves so changing can be a frying pan into the fire type of experience.

Personally I've been with Caixa for the 5+ years I've been here, no complaints at all.

That said the takeover of Bankia I would say has had more of a negative effect than a positive one.

TBH though just how often does the average person need to physically visit their bank, it's little more than 2 or 3x per year for me.

Hi all Kimmy was right about Sabadell customer service - not a concept they are familiar with and I had 10 years with them - that explains why I am currently with Caixa but they have adopted the Sabadell mantra hence my desire to move to another bank.

Caixa Estartit only takes cash deposits on 2 days of the week and don't reply to messages until one makes a fuss with Head Office.

I don't ask for much but being able to communicate with a member of staff when things go wrong would be nice.

Hi Kim,

I actually signed the petition that you mention.

It was covering all banks not just Sabadell. Because they all want us to do more and more online banking, and some older people have never used a computer, and never needed to do so.

Also they are all closing branches in small villages, and my opinion is that they should have a social conscience. 

In fact the only bank that I have read good things about lately is the "Caja de Ahorros Provincial de Zamora" no branches near us!

I understand, Janice, I also signed the petition - not because I want to visit my own branch regularly, but as you say, that facility is very important to older people in Spain and also for those living in the campo who may have poor connectivity, so have no alternative. 

Like Darro, I do my best to avoid having to attend my branch at all, but it's the banks dictating that, for some processes, we must attend in person, e.g. to collect a new bank card.  I don't understand why - my UK bank sends my new bank cards in the post and has been doing so for decades.  So on the few occasions that the branch insist I attend, it would be nice to be treated like a valued customer.  I'd change my branch - but Santa Pola is a bit too far to go! 😄

Kind regards, 

Kim

If anyone is still thinking of changing banks, I opened an account with n26 and used that to buy my house here (it has a Spanish IBAN). No fees and I can withdraw from any ATM, which is a great bonus. Send a private message if anyone wants more info.