A banking question.
#1
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2009
Location: Alicante province
Posts: 5,753
A banking question.
I currently use an Abbey Bank account in England, with an English address (a close relative), and the account services an occupational pension only, and I draw out the money in Spain using my Abbey debit card. I don't want to use online banking, and when I last enquired, Abbey Bank wouldn't allow a Spanish Address to run the account.
My query is, now that Abbey Bank is part of the Banco Santander group, can I transfer my account to Spain and use my 'real' Spanish address, continuing the occupational pension payments from England.
My reasons are as follows: When I use my English debit card in Spain I incur charges. But, more importantly, I get my bank statements sent over from England every six months, and I could do with a better oversight.
Apart from that, I've used this system for years and it works. Tax isn't a problem, it's deducted at source anyway.
My query is, now that Abbey Bank is part of the Banco Santander group, can I transfer my account to Spain and use my 'real' Spanish address, continuing the occupational pension payments from England.
My reasons are as follows: When I use my English debit card in Spain I incur charges. But, more importantly, I get my bank statements sent over from England every six months, and I could do with a better oversight.
Apart from that, I've used this system for years and it works. Tax isn't a problem, it's deducted at source anyway.
#2
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,551
Re: A banking question.
I currently use an Abbey Bank account in England, with an English address (a close relative), and the account services an occupational pension only, and I draw out the money in Spain using my Abbey debit card. I don't want to use online banking, and when I last enquired, Abbey Bank wouldn't allow a Spanish Address to run the account.
My query is, now that Abbey Bank is part of the Banco Santander group, can I transfer my account to Spain and use my 'real' Spanish address, continuing the occupational pension payments from England.
My reasons are as follows: When I use my English debit card in Spain I incur charges. But, more importantly, I get my bank statements sent over from England every six months, and I could do with a better oversight.
Apart from that, I've used this system for years and it works. Tax isn't a problem, it's deducted at source anyway.
My query is, now that Abbey Bank is part of the Banco Santander group, can I transfer my account to Spain and use my 'real' Spanish address, continuing the occupational pension payments from England.
My reasons are as follows: When I use my English debit card in Spain I incur charges. But, more importantly, I get my bank statements sent over from England every six months, and I could do with a better oversight.
Apart from that, I've used this system for years and it works. Tax isn't a problem, it's deducted at source anyway.
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2009
Location: Alicante province
Posts: 5,753
Re: A banking question.
I understand what you're saying, and agree, but this is a low-level savings account, and HSBC wouldn't be interested.
#4
Re: A banking question.
I currently use an Abbey Bank account in England, with an English address (a close relative), and the account services an occupational pension only, and I draw out the money in Spain using my Abbey debit card. I don't want to use online banking, and when I last enquired, Abbey Bank wouldn't allow a Spanish Address to run the account.
My query is, now that Abbey Bank is part of the Banco Santander group, can I transfer my account to Spain and use my 'real' Spanish address, continuing the occupational pension payments from England.
My reasons are as follows: When I use my English debit card in Spain I incur charges. But, more importantly, I get my bank statements sent over from England every six months, and I could do with a better oversight.
Apart from that, I've used this system for years and it works. Tax isn't a problem, it's deducted at source anyway.
My query is, now that Abbey Bank is part of the Banco Santander group, can I transfer my account to Spain and use my 'real' Spanish address, continuing the occupational pension payments from England.
My reasons are as follows: When I use my English debit card in Spain I incur charges. But, more importantly, I get my bank statements sent over from England every six months, and I could do with a better oversight.
Apart from that, I've used this system for years and it works. Tax isn't a problem, it's deducted at source anyway.
#5
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2009
Location: Alicante province
Posts: 5,753
Re: A banking question.
Unfortunately, my 'close relative's address in England is wobbling, Tammy Wynette sang a song about it D.I.V.O.R.C.E.
I suppose I'll have to impose on another close relative.
#6
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Zaragoza, by way of Cambridgeshire, and now Alhaurin El Grande
Posts: 111
Re: A banking question.
Having just opened a new account with Santander in Spain, and still having an Abbey account in England, I raised a similar question to my new bank manager. At the moment the companies, and more importantly, computer systems are distinct and separate. However, he assures me that this is being worked on and in the near future, a couple of years, all Santander, Abbey, A&L accounts will be run using the same computer system allowing for complete transferability.
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2009
Location: Alicante province
Posts: 5,753
Re: A banking question.
Having just opened a new account with Santander in Spain, and still having an Abbey account in England, I raised a similar question to my new bank manager. At the moment the companies, and more importantly, computer systems are distinct and separate. However, he assures me that this is being worked on and in the near future, a couple of years, all Santander, Abbey, A&L accounts will be run using the same computer system allowing for complete transferability.
#8
Re: A banking question.
Having just opened a new account with Santander in Spain, and still having an Abbey account in England, I raised a similar question to my new bank manager. At the moment the companies, and more importantly, computer systems are distinct and separate. However, he assures me that this is being worked on and in the near future, a couple of years, all Santander, Abbey, A&L accounts will be run using the same computer system allowing for complete transferability.
When we changed our bank account from non resident to resident we had to go back to a teller and fill out a withdrawal from the old account and a deposit to the new acount as the computer "doesn`t know who you are".
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Beckenham, London borough Bromley
Posts: 1,617
Re: A banking question.
Hi
You could try Banca March which has branches in England & Spain. However I use Nationwide for free ATM wthdrawals, and Halifax to move money from England to Spain through the internet
You could try Banca March which has branches in England & Spain. However I use Nationwide for free ATM wthdrawals, and Halifax to move money from England to Spain through the internet
#10
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Zaragoza, by way of Cambridgeshire, and now Alhaurin El Grande
Posts: 111
Re: A banking question.
Banca March has branches in England? I had never heard of them before I moved to Andalucia (There are none in Aragon!!). Having lived in March Cambs I can report there are none there either .
What are they called in the UK?
What are they called in the UK?
Last edited by Zaragozaram; Jul 30th 2009 at 9:43 am. Reason: poor spelling
#11
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Joined: Aug 2006
Location: conil de la frontera
Posts: 363
Re: A banking question.
There is only the one branch in the UK and that is in London and it is stilled called Banca March
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: East Finchley and Javea
Posts: 133
Re: A banking question.
If you're drawing money from an Abbey Account in England why don't you get a Santander Zero card through Abbey and avoid the charges.
#13
Re: A banking question.
We are lloyds tsb customers in the UK and are in the process of opening a eurolloyds account which will give us free access etc to our money when we are in Spain.
This may be of use to you. There is more info on the website.
This may be of use to you. There is more info on the website.
#15
Re: A banking question.
There is an account charge but not a lot.
check lloydstsb.es for more info.
I dont know alot as my husband is dealing with this and hes not around at the mo.
check lloydstsb.es for more info.
I dont know alot as my husband is dealing with this and hes not around at the mo.