Comparing bank charges in France

[NormanH]

I have just opened a Boursorama  online bank account, and in doing so I came across this very handy site to compare various charges (which you can choose) between the banks in your region:

https://www.tarifs-bancaires.gouv.fr/

[suein56]

I have been thinking of changing from my bank for some time but have hesitated ... possibly for fear of a leap into the unknown, so the gouv. website you mention is helpful.

So, if the question is not too personal, what helped you opt for Boursorama ? Parsnips has said in the past that some Banks are more solid and sound than others and, IIRC, Boursorama was one of the more solid ones.

Having an assurance vie with Fortuneo, and being happy with the performance, makes me edge towards them but the only way to know would be to open an account and try it out.

My present on-the-ground bank is modern and deals with financial operations very quickly - which is a real must for me. On the other hand they have cut their access hours so no longer is it possible to speak to a banker in the afternoon without an appointment. Their fees still increase year-on-year but for reduced availability.

I do fret about opening a current account with a new bank and then being unhappy with their speed or their methods so having to close it and find another bank, as this can become tedious. This I have already experienced with Groupama bank, who tempted me some years ago, but I found them painfully slow which put me off them.

Sue

[idun]

LOL Sue, if your bank is OK in spite of the opening hours and lack of immediacy, I reckon I would stay with it.

We got through five banks in France because they let us down, were rubbish and the staff lied.

I cannot say I am very happy with our current one, but being so far away, it seems that it would be awkward to change now. In spite of it being lousy, we did keep an account open with the BNP, so suppose we could go back to them. No idea if they have improved since 1988 when our current account left them.

Saving a bit of money is not the only factor in using a french bank, and believe me we had times when money was very tight.

Found the list interesting though NH but for me did not take into account all the options banques are offering.

I do know which ones I would never use, and Credit Agricole is one, the association I was treasurer for used them and two of our local branches were RUBBISH!

[suein56]

Idun wrote : LOL Sue, if your bank is OK in spite of the opening hours and lack of immediacy, I reckon I would stay with it.

We got through five banks in France because they let us down, were rubbish and the staff lied.

Well no one at the Bank has lied to us so that's a definite plus.

It's just I feel that we are paying more and more for less and less. When we arrived in 2005 we needed our hand held as everything banking-wise was so very different to the UK. We had an excellent conseillère for a number of years before she was sent off elsewhere - on a well-deserved promotion. She shared (and explained) all manner of useful information regarding banking/investment/saving. So the charges seemed worthwhile. Now though I have a good idea of what I am doing and no longer feel that I need my hand held.

So I think that now an Internet-only bank might be a good idea.

Sue

[NormanH]

Sue:

I have been toying with the idea for a while. There are push and pull factors.

1)I am rather fed up with the charges I keep finding on my current account and would like to reduce them as much as possible

2) Both of my present banks are only partly on line in the sense that I still have to go and see someone for certain procedures and that isn't always convenient if I am in the 'other' town

3) Boursaorama had a promotion this weekend:

https://www.boursorama-banque.com/?origine=306&xtor=SEC-70-YBN-BRD

[NormanH]

PS I had to provide documents in digital format.  I happen to have them, but if anyone is thinking of changing it's a good idea to make sure you have them

1)Scan of a pièce d'identité ( I used my carte de séjour but the passport is the other option

2)Justicatif de domicile (directe energie bill)

3) RIB

4) Avis d'imposition

5) Photo of my signature

[Gyn_Paul]

While we have this thread running, might I expand it a little and ask if there is anyone out there who has a French bank account which they can operate online (either partially ot fully) WITHOUT a working mobile phone?

I have a BP account and - despite it using a card reader+pin for most operations, it still needs a (working) mobile number. Clearly the system was designed and built by children living in Paris with its solid 4G, with never a thought that there might be the odd 10,000 or so customers who have no mobile phone service chez lui.

I need a new Cyber Plus password, and although the branch is happy to telephone me on the landline, write to me, or send me emails, none of these is, apparently 'secure' enough to tranmit a password! so yet again I shall have to drag myself into the branch. This gets old  VERY quickly. 

The inside of a French bank may be all chrome and flash and very 21st century, but the staff - and especially their attitude to their customers - could have been transplanted en masse from Williams & Glynns in Water St, in Liverpool circa 1948, with clerks on high stools, managers in frock coats, and the customers bowing and scraping.!

and... and... and... would it be TOO much to ask for a monthly statement with a running total? What possible use is a page of transactions with the balance on the 4th June at the top, and the 5th July at the bottom?

Sorry. end of rant (it IS very hot here!)

paul

[Gardian]

Have pm'd you.