MrCanary Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 For those folk who have a bank account with Credit Agricole's Britline, thought I would share this experience with you...My French is better than average, but nowhere near fluent...On more than one occasion, I have enlisted the help of Britline's English speaking staff to help me with forms of a financial nature - even if not directly related to your bank account.Very nice and very helpful people - to account holders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 Seconded, especially Rachel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 Thirded, and we don't even have an account with Britline, just a local CA branch.They are unbelievably helpful.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltamike Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 Fourthed!!.......always helpful and efficient...sometimes makes you think you are not in France!. Seriously though, the Britline staff have been a great help in facilitating our finances and insurances since we arrived here. Highly recommended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renaud Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 Fifthed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 If you need an English speaking service you have no future in France.Go back to the UK, or move to Spain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Zoff Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 And the thread was going so well.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 [quote user="NormanH"]If you need an English speaking service you have no future in France.Go back to the UK, or move to Spain.[/quote] Why ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Zoff Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 Tut tut. You should have said "Pourquoi" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nell Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 I couldn't agree more with the praise for Britline. I find them second to none when it comes to customer relations and service. As for the above statement, sorry administrators, delete if you must, but the words pompous and a** spring to mind !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chezstevens Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 Personally we have had no problems with our local CA if you use them as a bank. As far as insurances go you are better off with Axa etc. Just our experience over 18 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitty Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 My French is fluent but I still use the English speaking service, Norman. They are very helpful and pro-active. For example, they suggest a better way of holding your money e.g. opening up more favourable accounts. Try ringing them yourself, Norman, and finding out. They all speak French. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 [quote user="Alan Zoff"]Tut tut. You should have said "Pourquoi"[/quote] No, despite what some people think this a forum for British people who have moved to, have a second home in, or are just interested in France. [:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 I completely agree with Norman, you have no business leaving the south coast of the UK unless you can read, write and understand every nuance of all the regional dilects of France first.Yeah right, you only live once, so go out and enjoy the world [B] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 [quote user="Cathy"]My French is fluent but I still use the English speaking service, Norman. They are very helpful and pro-active. For example, they suggest a better way of holding your money e.g. opening up more favourable accounts. Try ringing them yourself, Norman, and finding out. They all speak French.[/quote]And the usual Crédit Agricole staff don't? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 [quote user="NormanH"]If you need an English speaking service you have no future in France.Go back to the UK, or move to Spain.[/quote]What a stupid comment. We all (those that have moved here) have varying degrees of french and with the complexities of banking do, or may, require a little help occasionally.Far better to be able to ask than not fully understand.Get a life Norm....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sid Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 We opened a Britline account before we moved here in order to make things easier for the house purchase etc. We had every intention of closing it and opening a local account once we settled, but the service has been excellent and I've found no reason to change, so we're still with them 7 years later. The language thing just makes it easier to quickly discuss any query or problem.Just because we live in France doesn't mean we mustn't speak English ever again. I notice that NormanH writes in English on here; isn't that odd? [:-))] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerdesal Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 Norman must be one of the few(?) immigrants to France who were totally and absolutely fluent in both written and spoken French before immigrating.Is that true Norman, were you ?????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judith Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 No matter how fluent you may be (and no, I speak good French but would not consider myself fluent), there are some subjects where it is important to understand what you are being told - hence the use of your native language for such things as financial matters. This is sensible not stupid.I have English friends who are fluent (two of them indeed being French teachers) but they speak English as the norm at home and with others of like mind. I have Dutch friends who are fluent French speakers too, but when needed, we speak in English - as they too find it easier to be sure they are understood. So Norman, I think you are in a minority on this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idun Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 Ah I have to disagree NormanH and you know how I feel about so many things in France.The french banking system is still hardly comprehensible to me. I used to think that I would 'get it', but I never did. I am a former bank clerk and IMO should 'understand' how such financial systems work, so how they have 'made it all up' it in France to be as it is, was beyond me.I think that I could have appreciated someone explaining the finer points in good english, perhaps they would still not have made sense, or maybe they would?RE the CA, a regional bank and maybe the britine is very good, but 'my' local' branches I stayed clear of as much as possible, very very bad service they gave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Zoff Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 I can't fault the service from my local branch. The charges, perhaps, but the not the service. Always helpful, friendly and efficient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon-the-censored Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 NormanH - get a life mate! Your comment is even more miserable than our weather today!I say let's get MORE English words into the French language......seems to be a bit of a worry (for some!) at the moment.....and...CA Britline - absolutely brilliant!!!Have a great Sunday - Simon :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 [quote user="Simon-come-lately"]NormanH - get a life mate! [/quote]Winding up forum members is his life, Simon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 [:)][:D][:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan Streason Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Can't remember how many we are up to but fully agree with the OP. Very helpful on the few occasions I have needed them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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