Banque ~Un - populaire

[Polremy]

Call me mean but i dont like paying for things i dont need or want. Consequently we dont have a carte bleue or even a "hole in the wall" card (for which they charge a fee) for our account with the Banque Populaire. Each month we withdraw euros from our Nationwide Flexaccount and deposit enough to cover standing orders, phone bills and so on. The system seemed to be working well.

We did get the odd phone call from B.P. trying to persuade us to have these cards. They also wanted to know why our pensions aren't paid into their account each month. Got round that one by saying that we are waiting for England to go over to the euro! They grumbled a bit about how were they supposed to make any money out of us but we seemed to get away with it.

Until today that is!!!

I sent the other half into the bank to improve his french. All he wanted to do was deposit 200euros cash into our current account. He was harrassed by the woman at a newly installed "welcome" desk. She told him he couldn't deposit money without a carte bleue. Eventually she relented and said "oh very well, just this once" - or French words to that effect.

Has anyone out there had similar experiences? Surely you dont need a credit card or even a debit card to just hand over your cash! Or do we have to cave in cough up? Can't remember how much it costs now - maybe i'm making a big fuss over a few cents.

Someone out there must have some advice - before I need to top up the account next month.

Thanks. Jean.