Opening a bank account

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Member since 19 August 2019

Berkley BroomesNew member08 September 2020 02:16:48

I was trying to open a bank account as I was not happy with mine existing bank
I approached BNP but was emailed to say I could have the account but would need to putt 10,000 and retain that amount in the account.
I asked for a copy of the policy relating to this , but was told that it was not in place
They said it was dur to my taxes being pad in the uk
( I was planning 6 months in the uk and 6 months in Cannes)
I declined the offer.

BB

simonegerton Member

Member since 26 August 2020

simonegertonMember08 September 2020 03:43:30

Hi Berkley - I found Britline - https://www.britline.com - a subsidiary of CA very helpful and easy to set up and subsequently run. 3000€ as an initial deposit, but no great requirements after that.

sarahrobinson100 Member

Member since 19 July 2020

sarahrobinson100Member08 September 2020 07:05:22

We set up a current account with HSBC france on line , we have not changed our address to our French address yet as we don't arrive in France yet. We had to transfer 200 euros into the account.

Only confusing part was when they asked us to upload a selfie with your hand under your chin. We didn't know if we had lost something in translation but we submit a photo as it says with hand held up under chin and it was accepted!

ladivo779 Guest

ladivo779Guest08 September 2020 23:58:36

214245

Since HSBC is a truly international bank then it should be very easy to open an account in France, especially if you have an HSBC account in the UK. If you have an HSBC Premier account in the UK then you'd not need to deposit much at all in the account in France as the primary country account that requires the larger deposit needs only to be in one country. Also, even if that minimum deposit is not reached then they don't mind since they will just charge you a monthly penalty. The only thing about HSBC is that they tend to send emails threatening to block access to accounts if you cannot explain where funds are coming from. So it is quite easy to open an HSBC account in France. I'm not such a big fan of either BNP or CA but it seems to be what most people use.

Berkley Broomes New member

Member since 19 August 2019

Berkley BroomesNew member24 September 2020 14:54:09

Thanks for all the advice on banking

LadyYaa Member

Member since 05 September 2020

LadyYaaMember24 September 2020 22:10:22

Great info-share:)
I noticed HSBC also operates very independently from my London Mayfair branch, and so I was unable to get any help as they do not have access to the UK system - imagine that! = most frustrating.
Need to also open a business account, so would appreciate any wise advice.
Blessed regards.

ladivo779 Guest

ladivo779Guest02 October 2020 00:57:18

214245

When I log in to my HSBC account online I am instantly shown all my balances from the different countries where I hold accounts. Also transferring funds from one country to another or paying credit card bills or other payments using HSBC is instantaneous with no charges (for Premier customers). But that's about it. As for matters concerning an overseas HSBC account, I just call my account manager in a foreign country to do things if I cannot do it online.

For a business account I would stick to using a french bank. I used to have one with Credit Agricole.

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