Banks in France

[smifffymoto]

I need to set up a business account but I'm struggling to find an English speaker in dept 09.Brit line dont do business,Barclays want 150 euro/month........aaaaaargh,god it's frustrating. Any ideas chaps?

[Paul 2000]

I'm with HSBC. I'm with the Pau branch but they are in several parts of France. They seem to have good English speakers when we've needed them so perhaps they operate the same in all their branches. Have a look here: http://www.hsbc.fr/1/2/hsbc-france/particuliers/in...

[Puggit]

The other problem with Britline is the service is only 100% available in Lower Normandy. CA is a fractured up in to lots of small pieces.

[neil-f]

smifffymoto said:

I need to set up a business account but I'm struggling to find an English speaker in dept 09.Brit line dont do business,Barclays want 150 euro/month........aaaaaargh,god it's frustrating. Any ideas chaps?

Maybe if you are doing business in France you should learn the language!!!

[smifffymoto]

Thanks chaps......Speak French,only just the hang of Inn-Glish

[justin-banks]

Another vote for HSBC, much more international, ie efficient, than Credit Mayonnaise and all the other "French" Banks.
" But Mr. Banks, why would you want to take out more than £250 a month on your Debit Card? We just dont understand, what possible reasons can you have"
Hmmmm

[bosshog]

justin-banks said:

Another vote for HSBC, much more international, ie efficient, than Credit Mayonnaise and all the other "French" Banks.
" But Mr. Banks, why would you want to take out more than £250 a month on your Debit Card? We just dont understand, what possible reasons can you have"
Hmmmm

I hate the french banks. I recently cashed some dollar cheques worth around $600. They charged my 150euro to do it!! My old local bank in the Uk used to cost 3 pounds...
They charge you for everything and give you crapy interest of what 3% or something..

[Pvapour]

careful with barclays, some of their recent cull of employees will include some of their english speaking french team. (apparently)

we actually get much better service down here than in the UK, for now

Edited by Pvapour on Tuesday 27th January 14:37

[geordieexpat]

Try BNP Paribas and UCB used to be Abbey International in France, my accounts are operated online and without problems

Its not a business account but they offered me one without much hassle, but my main is abbey international in the channel isles

[lowdrag]

An alternative is to use www.LloydsTSB-offshore.com. They offer accounts in sterling, euros and dollars. The charge is £75 p.a.and today I had a very good experience. I was called at mid-day and asked if I had used my credit card recently to which I replied in the negative. Apparently someone had tried to buy a few things in France, Germany and the USA having somehow cloned the card. This had happened but a few hours earlier and their control alarm had registered the strange (for me) transactions. Very pleasant, they assured me that the transactions had been blocked and that I should cut up the card straight away and they would send me another. For once, I can't complain about bank service.

[Mojocvh]

bosshog said:

justin-banks said:

Another vote for HSBC, much more international, ie efficient, than Credit Mayonnaise and all the other "French" Banks.
" But Mr. Banks, why would you want to take out more than £250 a month on your Debit Card? We just dont understand, what possible reasons can you have"
Hmmmm

I hate the french banks. I recently cashed some dollar cheques worth around $600. They charged my 150euro to do it!! My old local bank in the Uk used to cost 3 pounds...
They charge you for everything and give you crapy interest of what 3% or something..

You hate. I detest.

"Service" is just plain awful, they really believe that, in fact, it is you who are serving them by walking through the door.

[lowdrag]

Then look at the cost of the bloody gold cards! LloydsTSB last year gave me 3% on the account balance and no annual fee. Credit agricole 200 euros and sweet fanny adams on the account balance. They wondered why I complained.

[geordieexpat]

I only use my french acct to transfer cash for my mortgage only, and day to day cash needed for in france

[Marcellus]

I have a CA business account and have no issues... no limit on card, full on line banking in english and minimum charges....

OK to get the account had to meet our "business banker" and struggle through the interview in French but ho hum, do business in the country learn the ways of the country...

Slightly off topic but what are people recommendations for a UK bank which is good at currency accounts, currently with HSBC and it's nigh on impossible to get currency out or move it!!

[Puggit]

Marcellus said:

Slightly off topic but what are people recommendations for a UK bank which is good at currency accounts, currently with HSBC and it's nigh on impossible to get currency out or move it!!

Don't go with Smile - we've had some extreme squeaky bum moments when they've forgotten to transfer the cash in time for our French mortgage

[smifffymoto]

Thanks for all the replies.Now I'm living in France I have gone with CIC for the business account and stayed with HSBC Premier (UK account and French account).The biggest hassle is only being able to move £5000 per day so takes a bit of planning.

[lowdrag]

That's strange. I have sterling and euro accounts with LloydsTSB in Jersey and the limit is £10,000 per day. Suggest you investigate further.