Expat Advice: Financial Issues in Paris and provinces, France

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Paris and provinces

Which banks do you use? If you have a local account, which bank do you use? How do you like it? Do you also have an account in your home country? Which bank? Do they charge for ATM withdrawals? Do they charge a lot for international wire transfers? How has it been working with them from abroad? Do you use a special international wire transfer service? Do you use an online bank? If so, tell us about them.

I kept my U.S. account, but also wanted a French checking account. I had no information on banks or different types of accounts in France, so I went to each one to ask what was required to open an account.

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What advice would you offer others about banking as an expat in your country? What do you wish you had known about banking when you first arrived?

Do not expect any banking transaction to be as easy as in the U.S., and make sure your foreign bank can perform deposits, wires, and withdrawals as you need. Do not assume anything.

What advice was particularly helpful to you in managing your finances? What advice would you give? Any other thoughts?

Opening an account in the provinces is much easier, in geñeral, than opening one in Paris. The French do their banking close to home and donºt move much. If you will be moving amongst regions, make sure to choose a national bank like Credit Lyonnais. Other banks may have the same name but their systems will not be linked, so if your account was opened in Paris, you will not be able to deposit money at your bankºs Bordeaux branch, for example. Also, make sure you get a Justificatif letter to verify your French address, even if you have a friend write it and use their address temporarily. All French banks need some document proving your address.