bank account

[aljarafe]

Hi, I´m new to the forum, though not to Spain - been here nearly 5 years now.

I want to move banks - recently had a bad experience with a new bank card being sent to an old address, intercepted, activated, used repeatedly, cancelled, and is still being used. Bank says only solution is to close that account and open a new one, as card is being used at motorway service stations, and no security controls there, and will be used till it expires. So I told them I will be taking my business elsewhere. Have filed a denuncia against the bank (Santander).

Can anyone recommend me their bank? I heard BBVA is offering a free flat-screen TV for new customers. My husband is Spanish and has a nomina, so that should help will fees etc.

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.

[Stravinsky]

Originally Posted by aljarafe

Hi, I´m new to the forum, though not to Spain - been here nearly 5 years now.

I want to move banks - recently had a bad experience with a new bank card being sent to an old address, intercepted, activated, used repeatedly, cancelled, and is still being used. Bank says only solution is to close that account and open a new one, as card is being used at motorway service stations, and no security controls there, and will be used till it expires. So I told them I will be taking my business elsewhere. Have filed a denuncia against the bank (Santander).

Can anyone recommend me their bank? I heard BBVA is offering a free flat-screen TV for new customers. My husband is Spanish and has a nomina, so that should help will fees etc.

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Well I've been with Banco de Valencia & BBVA, both of which charged me for paying monies into my account. I eventually ended up with SOL Bank who have been so really helpful with everything we have done with them. They react immediately to queries and have helped us a lot. I have recommended them to various people who have all had the same experiences. They are set up especially for Ex Pats. They are a part of Banco Sabadell I think. Prestige account gives you access to all kinds of extras.

[aljarafe]

Thanks, Stravinsky, I will check out Sol Bank´s Prestige account.

[aljarafe]

It seems I can´t join Sol Bank as there isn´t one where I live (Seville) - it´s only on the coast, for seaside expats. And it looked so good! Damn.

[Big Pete]

Originally Posted by aljarafe

Hi, I´m new to the forum, though not to Spain - been here nearly 5 years now.

I want to move banks - recently had a bad experience with a new bank card being sent to an old address, intercepted, activated, used repeatedly, cancelled, and is still being used. Bank says only solution is to close that account and open a new one, as card is being used at motorway service stations, and no security controls there, and will be used till it expires. So I told them I will be taking my business elsewhere. Have filed a denuncia against the bank (Santander).

Can anyone recommend me their bank? I heard BBVA is offering a free flat-screen TV for new customers. My husband is Spanish and has a nomina, so that should help will fees etc.

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.

I would go with the flat screen tv gift , and then later on change to SOLBANK who so far to date have been very good at everything with me

[aljarafe]

I wish I could, Big Pete, but as I live inland, unfortunately Solbank isn´t an option for me.

[Stravinsky]

Originally Posted by aljarafe

I wish I could, Big Pete, but as I live inland, unfortunately Solbank isn´t an option for me.

Is there a Banco Sabadell?

[chris(madrid)]

Originally Posted by aljarafe

I want to move banks - recently had a bad experience with a new bank card being sent to an old address, intercepted, activated, used repeatedly, cancelled, and is still being used. Bank says only solution is to close that account and open a new one, as card is being used at motorway service stations, and no security controls there, and will be used till it expires. So I told them I will be taking my business elsewhere. Have filed a denuncia against the bank (Santander).

Interesting - we've just moved some stuff to Banco Santander. I've used them in the past too and the bank is OK. I had a German-Santander-Visa card for ages - and was very very good service.

We are however LESS than pleased with the CREDITCARD arm of the Spanish bank. Not sure - but the entire credit card business USED TO BE (maybe still are) independant businesses. I'm actually off to our branch later today to discuss my disatisfaction. Often Credit cardas are used via offline processing so are not validated at time of sale.

If it's a DEBIT CARD then that is more worrying - as normally these require swiping and validating even in service stations. Often will not offline process.

Thought of ING etc? - if you dont NEED a local branch then it's a thought. Regional "cajas" (small ones!)?

If the branch is convenient I'd close/reopen NOW I think. You can always move later!

But if you're unhappy - look for BIG BANKS or SMALL CAJAS. imo LARGE CAJAS and SMALL BANKS should be avoided. Though it all depends what you USE the institution for.

My wifes cousin is closing EVERYTHING they can at Sabadell due to POOR service!

[El Capitan]

Hi Aljarafe, I started with Banesto but gave them the elbow and moved to Bankinter. Only a few offices in Sevilla but part of the Servi-Red network and they have served me well over the years. Even the rates on a mortgage were fully negotiable. Internet plus phone banking in choice of language too. My card was cloned last visit to UK and Bankinter intercepted the fraud use and stopped the card immediately then sent me a new one. No loss to me, just a little inconvenience.

If you want to transfer money to/from the UK then check out Citibank as they allow you to transfer money from your Spanish Citi account to your UK Citi account without SWIFT charges.

[decgraham]

I bank with Santander, only went with them because I bank with Abbey Offshore, all part of the same group. I would say they are not outstanding but do the job. It really peeves me having to pay on transfers into the account, and I send from a Euro account too. I looked at Sol after reading this thread and it does look very good, I'll be talking to them next time I'm in Spain. Question is there any Spanish bank that doesn't charge on transfers into the account?