[CrypticMagic]

Point taken - though it's important to know that a non-resident bank , while much lest restricted than a Banque de mandated "basic" , is also somewhat restricted in available services.

Is there then any good reason to apply for a non-resident bank while a resident of ? And then change the non-resident to a resident later as suggested above?

 

[Whatever 76]

Is there then any good reason to apply for a non-resident bank while a resident of ? And then change the non-resident to a resident later as suggested above?

It's a far better way than relying on the Banque de if you encounter difficulties when trying to open a French bank . In any case expats will very likely not be granted a resident until they have a long term lease and a utility bill and getting those generally requires that you have a French bank .

 

[CrypticMagic]

It's a far better way than relying on the Banque de if you encounter difficulties when trying to open a French bank . In any case expats will very likely not be granted a resident until they have a long term lease and a utility bill and getting those generally requires that you have a French bank .

Logically that means one can never get a French bank !

 

[CrypticMagic]

What I have found online is that non-resident s may charge higher fees and/or limit your ability to withdraw cash, or limit the number of payments or transfers you can make with the (usually per month). Some banks also require a minimum balance in a non-resident at all times. This varies by bank - just to ask when you open the .

Hello Bev. Is there then any good reason to apply for a non-resident bank while a resident of ? And then change the non-resident to a resident later as suggested above? Or is it better to make appointments at a number of banks and ask to open a resident ?

 

[Whatever 76]

Logically that means one can never get a French bank !

No it doesn't, your logic must be very faulty.

 

[Bevdeforges]

Hello Bev. Is there then any good reason to apply for a non-resident bank while a resident of ? And then change the non-resident to a resident later as suggested above? Or is it better to make appointments at a number of banks and ask to open a resident ?

As far as I'm concerned, no. Once you are resident in (i.e. after you arrive on your long-stay visa), it makes no sense to try to open a "non-resident" . Granted, setting up a regular bank can seem like a difficult task, but you need to develop a sense of what the banks are looking for and do your best to find a bank that is willing to take you on.

 

[CrypticMagic]

No it doesn't, your logic must be very faulty.

Not at all. As you said, one cannot get a resident bank until they have a long term lease and a utility bill and you need a resident bank to get a long term lease and a utility bill.

I just don't find this at all helpful. I am glad Bev replied below.

 

[CrypticMagic]

As far as I'm concerned, no. Once you are resident in (i.e. after you arrive on your long-stay visa), it makes no sense to try to open a "non-resident" . Granted, setting up a regular bank can seem like a difficult task, but you need to develop a sense of what the banks are looking for and do your best to find a bank that is willing to take you on.

Thank you Bev. I hope I will also find people in willing to help provide a reference to a bank and also to help with securing a long term lease.

 

[Whatever 76]

You are totally free to proceed as you wish. But my initial post on the issue was in response to Nunthewiser experience with the Banque de and that is most definitely not a good way to go, as Bev has agreed. Please take into the context of my comments

 

[Nunthewiser]

You are totally free to proceed as you wish. But my initial post on the issue was in response to Nunthewiser experience with the Banque de and that is most definitely not a good way to go, as Bev has agreed. Please take into the context of my comments

No, not me.

I did a non-resident with CA, then converted into a resident when I got here.

For us it was a waste of time (lots of time), in a way. We found a sympathetic landlord who trusted us and just paid him with Wise or CA, he didn't care. He didn't even make us get a garant. But it is impossible to say what is 'best'to do. You may not get so lucky.

Our non-res was with CA-Morbihan. They wanted us to close our and try to open one with our CA in Cholet (100km from Morbihan). Since we were renting, we figured that when we eventually moved to another place we would have to change banks again? So, we just opened an online with Fortuneo that will work everywhere in . Of course, if you need personal service, you can't get that with an online bank. So far,I don't (and I never did in the US). But you can't open an online from the get-go. You have to transfer in from a bricks and mortar bank.

 

[Whatever 76]

It's I think essential to note that there will be a lot of different experiences including for getting a rental. You can be lucky, but luck isn't really something you can rely on when timeframes are tight. So pleased you managed to get your rental and that so far everything is working out for you. I think you will likely be in Cholet for a long time, given your wife likes it. Women's views should always be respected.

 

[Nunthewiser]

It's I think essential to note that there will be a lot of different experiences including for getting a rental. You can be lucky, but luck isn't really something you can rely on when timeframes are tight.

Absolutely.

It is best to have a usable French bank open as soon as you can manage it.

 

[Bevdeforges]

But you can't open an online from the get-go. You have to transfer in from a bricks and mortar bank.

It all has to do with the KYC (no, not Kentucky Fried Chicken - Know Your Customer - rules, which are pretty much international at this point). That s for the "dossier" of documents you need to open a bank these days. To prove you aren't a money launderer nor a tax evader, the bank has to see you face to face with a piece of photo i.d., yadda, yadda, yadda. With the online banks, they apparently can rely on your previous bank identity proof as long as it was a French bank duly ed or whatever with the Banque de .

When searching for a bank on arrival, it helps if you know what the banks are looking for (especially the need to have some regular source of income that will be direct deposited into your new - and proof of some sort as to how much it will be). You may have to make the regular transfer yourself from your Wise to your French bank (I don't think Wise does regular outgoing transfers like that) if, for example, you're using your US based IRA . If you've been receiving US SS for a few months, show them you're aware that can (and will) be transferred to a direct deposit via the US Consulate's FBU. As with fonctionnaires, do what you can to make their job easy for them. Heck, if you have to, bring a filled out W9 form with you.