WHICH BANK SHOULD I CHANGE TO

I joined the Halifax Bank Spain seven years ago,then it was taken over by Lloyds International, given me similar terms, so I stayed with them. But recently Lloyds was bought by Spanish bank Sabadell. I have just received a letter of some of the terms Sabadell wish to impose on my account, It seems that my service charge will rise by possibly 500% of what I pay at the moment. I will obviously not pay that sort of money, So could someone give me names of Banks they could recommend,who will not try to con me like Sabadell are trying to.
One last word to Sabadell. It may be Christmas next week, but I aìn't gonna be your Santa Claus.

La Marina

When Bancaja closed their branch here, we changed to la Caixa mainly because it is close by (on Consum square) and we have found the service excellent. All our direct debits were sorted out within a week and even though the branch close early, we really only need to go in to drawer cash from the machine. We would certainly recommend them and the Manager Antonia is very helpful.

Commented Josie in La Marina 2013-12-18 15:58:03 UTC

Thanks for your reply Josie, I will go and see them, and with luck will make the move early in the new year.
Sabadell are being kind in the fact they have told me if I change banks before March they will not charge me for the privilege.

Commented Alan in La Marina 2013-12-18 16:50:52 UTC

We've been with La Caixa several years now and can't fault them. If you have your pension sent to them each time, you pay no bank charges. I wouldn't change to another bank.

Geoff.

Commented Geoff in La Marina 2013-12-18 16:52:33 UTC

Thanks Geoff. Although I have my pensions paid into a U,K. Bank, my wife has hers paid straight into our joint Spanish account, so perhaps they will allow that, if not and they are as good as they seem to be, I may change and have my pension paid straight into my Spanish Account.

Commented Alan in La Marina 2013-12-18 17:01:21 UTC

If you decide to change to La Caixa, ask them for the account to be a 'cuenta cero'. Your pension needs to be over a certain amount per month (can't remember how much) but it's not a very high figure.

Geoff.

Commented Geoff in La Marina 2013-12-18 18:37:07 UTC

I need to change my bank. I'm with Bankia, but since they moved to Guardamar it's very inconvenient now, not only the travelling, it's the parking, especially in summer, plus when you finally get in the bank, it's packed !
I might try la Caixa, I have a pension paid in, so I shouldn't have to pay commission.

Commented Al Marina in La Marina 2013-12-18 18:43:47 UTC

Thanks for the information Geoff. Most helpful.

Commented Alan in La Marina 2013-12-18 19:33:57 UTC

At Sabbadell Bank they have an account called Expansion if you pay €700 in per month you get free banking free cards and 1% back of all direct debits.

Commented david in La Marina 2013-12-19 08:48:34 UTC

Thanks for that David,I will check with them again, but the letter I received from Sabadell made no mention of that, but only of the costs they charge, I also mentioned the costs of servicing my account when I went into LLoyds last week, again no mention was made of free banking

Commented Alan in La Marina 2013-12-19 09:24:48 UTC

My husband and i have been with the Sabadell (previously Sol bank) for 8 years now with no problems. In fact they have always been more than helpful. It is true we run an expansion account which i believe if you have 700 euro plus paid in each month you pay no bank charges. Also i believe you get 3% back on all Direct Debits paid out each month. Makes Electric water and anything else you pay just that little bit cheaper

Commented sallyan in La Marina 2013-12-19 17:48:55 UTC

The Deutch bank on the Urb is excellent, been with them 18 years and they never did anything wrong. Very helpful and they have a fantastic face to face customer care, highly recommended

Commented mauri 7 in La Marina 2013-12-19 18:36:57 UTC

Thanks to everyone who replied to my comment.
I have decided to have another word with Sabadell, and if I don't get the answers I want, my next trip will be to La caixa., and Deutch Bank

Commented Alan in La Marina 2013-12-20 11:28:04 UTC

I have been with Banco Santander in Plaza Sierra Castilla on the Urb for some 5 years now. I was with Solbank who used every opportunity to charge for anything they possibly could even though I had my pension paid in there every month. They used to call them "manager's fees". I called them rip[-off bank charges. they even used to charge me 30 cents every time I used my debit card to buy shopping for God's sake. I now have my pension paid to Santander and not only get no Bank charges whatsoever, the manager, Valentin is excellent and speaks fluent English. They are the only bank I have ever known who will do things for you and then telephone you at home to call in for any paperwork needed. I would have absolutely no hesitiation in recommending them to anyone. Everything is transparent and they are extremely helpful all the time. Very customer orientated.

Commented nikkimunday in La Marina 2014-01-04 18:58:28 UTC

I am with Sabadell was Solbank and found them most helpful - I have 2 or 3 direct debits being paid out and pensions paid in so therefore no charges on my account - I also have an account with Santander and to be honest I had to tell them to stop calling me - constantly on the phone wanting me to take out car ins - house ins etc.

Commented Souxie in La Marina 2014-01-05 17:24:01 UTC

I must say that I have never had Santander call me trying to sell their products.

Commented nikkimunday in La Marina 2014-01-05 17:36:16 UTC

Youre lucky !!

Commented Souxie in La Marina 2014-01-05 17:55:30 UTC