British Expats - Which Bank??

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- - Which Bank?? (https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/bank-748790/)

Re: Which Bank??

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eugene Kaufmann (Post 9907007)

People on these boards are very helpful, but some are reluctant to admit that Santander is just crap - and dangerously so.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitzyboy (Post 9907483)

Maybe conversely some draw conclusions just from their own bad experience of the bank

I tend to speak as I find and can honesty say that I have had no bad experiences with Santander. Each individual will have a different outlook according to their own experience, they judge on what they find. Therefore, one person may say that they are rubbish whilst another may say that they are good, neither are totally right and neither are totally wrong.

Rosemary

Re: Which Bank??

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eugene Kaufmann (Post 9907007)

I can transfer money from my online account for say, a Credit Card bill or some other payee. Simply by setting up a Payee sort code and account number.

Problem is I AM THE ONE WHO WANTS MY CASH FOR MYSELF, in my hand to buy groceries etc. I could get cash constantly via an ATM with my credit card, but costs would be excessive, 29% in one case for Visa.

A Debit Card from Santander: a kingdom for!!! I used it here for two years without problems, but they don't seem to realise that when the expiry date comes up, they're expired. Wasn't sent to me automatically on expiry either, as most other banks do. How long do I live on my savings before I have to change to some other bank with a debit card facility in Spain, before I can get my two monthly pensions? Any other Bank except Santander would have the card to me in an instant. Thus my first posting - a dire warning about them! Have put a complaint in to Ombudsman, and constant emails to Santander Complaints - but STILL NO CARD!!! Such a simple problem, but apparently unsolvable! Anger has now given way to fright. That bank is scary!!

People on these boards are very helpful, but some are reluctant to admit that Santander is just crap - and dangerously so.

We have completely different problems with Santander UK (Power of Attorney) but we have found just one lady who has been most helpful I know we have been very lucky. They are without doubt the best bank for paying in UK and drawing out in Spain if you have the right debit card. If you have a UK State pension have you thought of having that paid direct to your account in Spain. The exchange rate is the best you can get but the downside is if you have it paid weekly in UK it can only be paid 4 weekly to your account in Spain (in arrears). It took just one phone call to change mine over and it all went smoothly with the 5 week wait from last UK pension to first payment in Spain.

Re: Which Bank??

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitzyboy (Post 9907480)

I have a Santander account in the UK that I opened long after I moved here, and with their full knowledge of that

I opened a current account with them to replace a savings account when I was there before Christmas.
They were fully aware that I'm a Spanish resident but they bent over backwards to help me, all I had to do was provide a relatives address there.

Re: Which Bank??

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eugene Kaufmann (Post 9906988)

That's very kind of you to send me that - just had an offer of Â£10 from Santander to compensate me for weeks of stress and anxiety!!! Can't get to it of course, no Debit Card!!!! Have made a note of Bankia, but we live near Ourense in Galicia, so it depends if they're reasonably well-covered up here. Will follow it up (no choice if I want my money!). Thankyou!

I hope this will all be sorted out for you in the near future . [perhaps even by Santander] and that you will once again have easy access to your money and enjoy peace of mind and life in Galicia. hastaluego.:fingerscrossed: