ADVICE FOR LOWER COST BANKING.
#16
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Joined: Apr 2010
Location: London (mainly)/Oliva
Posts: 2,130












We were with Caixa for a few years after they bought Barclays SA. Hopeless customer service. We were on the Hola account, which seems to be their standard now. Eventually we switched to Sabadell (opposite the Tributaria off Laguna Sq. Very happy with their customer service, all tellers speak some English and a few are fluent.
I'm in Oliva and all the main banks are there. Was your transfer to Sabadell straightforward?

#17
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Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Shenfield, Essex
Posts: 615











We were with Caixa for a few years after they bought Barclays SA. Hopeless customer service. We were on the Hola account, which seems to be their standard now. Eventually we switched to Sabadell (opposite the Tributaria off Laguna Sq. Very happy with their customer service, all tellers speak some English and a few are fluent.

#18

I’ve been with Sabadell for years but after selling our apartment the only direct debit I have is for the EUC charge on a plot we own. For the pleasure of servicing two direct debits (split payment whatever that is) a year, Sabadell are charging me around 120 eur a year. I’ve asked them if there is a more cost effective account but got nowhere. So if anyone has any Ideas on how I can get round this I’d love to hear it.
Also, you have some good friends in CE, maybe for a lunch or charge, would do it for you? And you wire the £€ to them?
Much better than 120€ a year to those money-grubbing banks!
Good luck
Jon
Last edited by Jon-Bxl; Jul 8th 2020 at 5:37 am.

#19
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Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Shenfield, Essex
Posts: 615











Earlier on from post 2, we learned that you can check out the bill online and hence pay from the UK account. Just put a bi-annual reminder in the diary, perhaps?
Also, you have some good friends in CE, maybe for a lunch or charge, would do it for you? And you wire the £€ to them?
Much better than 120€ a year to those money-grubbing banks!
Good luck
Jon
Also, you have some good friends in CE, maybe for a lunch or charge, would do it for you? And you wire the £€ to them?
Much better than 120€ a year to those money-grubbing banks!
Good luck
Jon
Thanks for the idea.That could be the solution.
Regards
Andy

#20

I just saw this on the Spain thread.
I dont know if they do direct debits, but looks interesting
Foreign currency account
Jon
I dont know if they do direct debits, but looks interesting
Foreign currency account
Jon

#21
Forum Regular



Joined: Feb 2005
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 107



Hi Keith, there is an article on Andalucía.com entitled Bank account commission in Spain to be capped at €3 per month. It’s worth a read.

#22
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Thread Starter
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 462


Hi, I remember that news about 3 euros a month early last year. I don't think it could have happened. I suspect the banks found a way of suppressing it. Their commission is money for old rope !!

#23
Forum Regular



Joined: Feb 2005
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 107



Thought it sounded too good to be true, might try a Spanish on line bank as we only use our account for utility bills and local taxes,
unless anyone knows any pitfalls with online banking.
unless anyone knows any pitfalls with online banking.

#24

They had made a start before Covid. Many of the old boatsheds on the seaward side of the road had gone as had some of the old hulks which had been there for years, but work seemed to have slowed to 'manana' pace.

#25

I wondered where this had gone! Sorry. Posted in the wrong thread, should be in the Marina thread.

#27
Just Joined

Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Plymouth
Posts: 21


As I mentioned in my earlier post (#11), I have used Bankinter on-line banking ever since I bought my house in Esuri 15 years ago. Never had any problems and their phone app is very good too. Their English help desk facility has also been very helpful in the past. The nearest physical branch is in Huelva.

#28
Forum Regular



Joined: Feb 2005
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 107



Thanks for the info Casey, I may look into this.

#29
Forum Regular




Joined: May 2017
Posts: 256


I use Caixa and since the new charges my bank charges are around the 60 a quarter for a total monthly DDs of around 60a month. Robbery. I will have a look at Bankinter

#30
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Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Shenfield, Essex
Posts: 615











The village house we own in El Almendro is not subject to any community or intercommunity charges, nor do we have mains gas, so our situation is fairly simple to administer.
Giahsa, IBI, Tasas and car tax bills are all visible online and payable by UK credit card using sgth.es website. Leccy bill also online and payable by card. We are with CHC Energia. That's it essentially. The only ones we have to pay in cash over the bank counter are our annual Deemed Rental Income Taxes (modelo 210 form). Caja Rural in Ayamonte make no processing charge for this, despite us not having an account with them.
We pay insurance invoices direct to our Spanish broker by UK credit card (car, buildings, contents).
Giahsa, IBI, Tasas and car tax bills are all visible online and payable by UK credit card using sgth.es website. Leccy bill also online and payable by card. We are with CHC Energia. That's it essentially. The only ones we have to pay in cash over the bank counter are our annual Deemed Rental Income Taxes (modelo 210 form). Caja Rural in Ayamonte make no processing charge for this, despite us not having an account with them.
We pay insurance invoices direct to our Spanish broker by UK credit card (car, buildings, contents).
Have sent you a PM.
Regards
