[brennan]

Hi everyone.

Can anyone recommend are Bank branch in Paris that have staff who can speak English? I would like to open a non resident account.

Thanks

 

[relocatella]

I bank with Barclays. Statements and mails are in English. Now some posters find the banking fees higher than at other banks.

 

[LeahStunts]

We use BNP Paribas - normally there is an account manager that speaks English in each branch in our experience.

 

[jennidavis1969]

The HSBC international branch in Paris with English-speaking staff is at 153 Avenue Victor Hugo. Ask for Gilles Escot....he is very helpful with getting everything set up for us and taking us through international online banking step by step.
Jen

 

[brennan]

Thank you for the replies.

I'll go visit a HSBC or BNP branch then.

 

[iancar]

Very helpful on banking. Every branch we telephoned near our intended location - Montpellier - had some trouble with our Scottish/Quebecois French attempts! The question is of course - how useful or convenient is it to have a bank account hundreds of kms to the north in Paris, or in these days of internet and e-banking, would it make a difference if our house in the south?

 

[Bevdeforges]

Very helpful on banking. Every branch we telephoned near our intended location - Montpellier - had some trouble with our Scottish/Quebecois French attempts! The question is of course - how useful or convenient is it to have a bank account hundreds of kms to the north in Paris, or in these days of internet and e-banking, would it make a difference if our house in the south?

France banks operate by branches - and having a bank account in Paris will be very impractical if you're living in the south of France. There are a few operations for which you have to go in and talk to your "bank conseiller" face to face - including opening an account. And if you move towns and want to use a different branch of the same bank, you usually have to close the old account and open a new account in the new town's branch.

France has some e-banks, but they aren't so easy for a foreigner to use (between the identity documents required to open an account and a general lack of familiarity with how French banks normally operate).

Don't bother trying to open a bank account until you get here and know where you'll be living and working. You want to find a branch convenient to either your home or your place of work. You'll also want to find a bank where the branch staff are easy for you to work with. (Many banks do have staff who can speak English, but you won't find out about them by calling the bank.) Make friends with the bank manager, and life will be truly good.
Cheers,
Bev

 

[iancar]

France banks operate by branches - and having a bank account in Paris will be very impractical if you're living in the south of France. There are a few operations for which you have to go in and talk to your "bank conseiller" face to face - including opening an account. And if you move towns and want to use a different branch of the same bank, you usually have to close the old account and open a new account in the new town's branch.

France has some e-banks, but they aren't so easy for a foreigner to use (between the identity documents required to open an account and a general lack of familiarity with how French banks normally operate).

Don't bother trying to open a bank account until you get here and know where you'll be living and working. You want to find a branch convenient to either your home or your place of work. You'll also want to find a bank where the branch staff are easy for you to work with. (Many banks do have staff who can speak English, but you won't find out about them by calling the bank.) Make friends with the bank manager, and life will be truly good.
Cheers,
Bev

Bev,

A question: how can we replicate you? You are an amazing font of knowledge. Ever thought of writing a book?! If you do, sign me up for a copy...