Bank

Third online bank to close amid competitive market in France

'Ma French Bank' only opened in 2019. We look at what customers need to do

Scam email alert for clients of three leading French banks

Fraudsters link to bank’s genuine website at some points, making scam look legitimate

Computer bug hits all Crédit Agricole customers in France

Staff said customers should not worry about security of their money

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New telephone law aims to reduce bank fraud in France

The new measures are intended to make official numbers ‘tamper proof’

Overdraft fees, pay, ecology: three French banks criticised in new report

Three major banks scored poorly on social and environmental factors including investing in tax havens and deforestation projects, and large staff pay gaps

How to change bank account in France - and points to consider

A 2017 law change means your bank will cover lion's share of work, if you ask them to

Man who flooded Europe with millions of false banknotes arrested

French police coordinated the operation along with Europol and Italian anti-counterfeiters

Closure of bank branches is a ‘catastrophe’ for rural areas

Hundreds of villages left without banks as branches close, impacting the elderly and local businesses

Contactless bank card payments over €50 authorised in France

You will still need to enter a PIN for transactions over this amount

French bank to close dozens of Britons' accounts citing Brexit

Regional caisse in south-west blames complicated post-Brexit rules and measures to stop money laundering

Bank call scams: why more people are being caught out in France

Fraudsters are becoming smarter as the number of potential targets continues to increase

How does the takeover of HSBC’s French branches affect customers?

Former HSBC clients will have to check certain services to spot teething problems during the switch

How bank cashpoints are changing in France

New ATMs under the brand name ‘Cash Services’ will expand (a little) their services

Taxes, banks, energy: Five French practical updates

Our recap of the most important articles you may have missed

How to protect savings if your French bank crashes

Partner article: Recent bank collapses put a spotlight on savings protection - check your own safeguards, says Rob Kay from Blevins Franks

It is a mistake to close so many local banks, claims French think-tank

Economics expert says banks must learn from the Titanic: ‘being a giant does not save you from a shipwreck’

‘Speedy’, ‘helpful’: Your feedback on French bank reactions to fraud

We asked you how your banks dealt with incidents involving scams, after a French consumer group launched legal action against some institutions over this issue

Taxe foncière rise limits?: Five updates for property owners in France

We also look at the rules on building shared fences and new rent controls in Bordeaux and Montpellier

Updated: Britline, BNP, Banque Postale: Your feedback on French banks

Connexion readers share their experiences and which bank they would recommend

Nine changes for residents in France in June 2022

Tax declaration deadlines, legislative elections, greater life insurance tariff transparency and changes for people unable to open a bank account

Historic change to mortgage insurance in France starts today

The rules on changing contracts - and medical declarations - are evolving in a bid to make policies simpler and encourage competition

Revolut, N26: Neobank accounts must be declared to France

When making their French tax declaration, residents in France need to check where the banks are located to see if they count as foreign accounts

Why did Barclays, HSBC and ING banks struggle to make money in France?

These global financial giants could not make enough profit to be viable in the French banking system. We ask a French finance expert to explain

French bank won’t accept my UK mobile number to confirm purchases

Reader reports that it is impossible to use 11 digits mobile number in French banking system

How to open a joint bank account and how they work in France

We take a look at the nature of compte joint and what requirements must be met to open it

Recap: Brexit loophole lets French banks charge more for UK transfers

Although the UK remains in the Sepa zone, The Connexion has confirmation that technically French banks can charge an ‘international’ fee to receive UK money

New scam alert: People in France warned about banking ‘spoofing’

The crime sees fraudsters posing as your bank, often pretending to be fraud inspectors themselves, to extract sensitive details and data

Is the money in neobanks protected the same as French bank accounts?

Not all neobanks are the same. This is how to check if your money is protected should the bank go into liquidation

French bank imposes withdrawal fees for UK cards post-Brexit

The UK financial regulator had already warned that cash machine withdrawals could become more expensive for UK cardholders in Europe after the transition period

Two French banks stop asking health questions on mortgage applications

Crédit Mutuel and CIC have stopped asking longstanding customers, under 62, for health details. Borrowers’ insurance premiums expected to fall

Do online ‘neobanks’ protect our money like ordinary French banks?

Internet-only financial services operate in a different way to traditional banks, and so does the way in which their customers’ funds are guaranteed

Bank in France sends in bailiffs for solar panels that never worked

'Nightmare' solar panel installation for a couple in in Lot-et-Garonne has resulted in a shock visit from bailiffs chasing €20,000 for the panels

Can I close a French bank account for someone else?

Can I close a bank account for a friend who no longer lives in France and who does not wish to travel to the Dordogne just to do this? C.M.

Have French mortgages been suspended?

In the UK mortages are being suspended for three months - is France doing the same?

Banks to tighten rules on getting a mortgage in France

Lenders will face sanctions for non-compliance with stricter regulation over mortgage duration and terms

Seven French contracts to renegotiate this September and how to do it

Save money by getting better deals on gas, internet, bank loans and insurance

Bank account hacking on rise in France - and you may not be reimbursed

If you receive a message reporting a suspicious transaction on your bank account do not give out your information. If you do - and a fraud results - you risk your bank refusing compensation

Victims of credit card fraud in France must be paid back within a day

Financial authorities send reminder to banks after online payments and fraudulent transactions have soared due to Covid

Accidental Americans in France pin hopes on Biden to end admin hassle

The EU - and President Macron - has given support to the 40,000 affected who face financial complications due to being born in America. Many have no other connection with the US.

Medical data of 500,000 put online in France cyber attack

Hackers published stolen information including names, contact details, social security numbers, and medical history

‘Spectacular’ growth of contactless cards in France

Banque de France has reported no associated rise in cases of fraud with the increase in contactless payments

Banks must ensure Britons in France aware of Brexit risks

Two former UK pensions ministers told of concerns about post-transition banking services; however there is no issue with state pension payments the UK's DWP has confirmed

300 protest in small French town against bank closure

The town’s mayor says he told the bank director it was a “bad idea” to close the bank as many of the town’s residents rely on it.

Victims of fraud in France less likely to be reimbursed

An inquiry found victims were now at least 4% less likely to be reimbursed, despite the legal rules for consumer fraud improving this year

Britons in France face banking issues post-Brexit

Some providers are reviewing whether or not to stop services for Britons abroad.

Do French entrepreneurs need separate work bank accounts?

Reader question: do I need a business bank account for my micro firm?

British banks may stop services due to Brexit

A British private bank has written to its clients in France to say it will have to stop providing services if the UK and EU do not agree a banking arrangement before December 31.

Do French banks still offer prêt viager hypothécaire loan?

A money-related reader question answered in our August issue.

Fewer ATMs in France amid Covid, online, and cashless trends

ATM cash machines are disappearing in France as cash use decreases and digital banking rises, amid fears that the Covid-19 crisis may exacerbate the issue due to people using contactless methods.

Traditional French banks under pressure as customers switch

An increasing number of people in France are changing banks - including many to new "digital banks" - with the quality of customer service and high fees cited as major factors in the decision to switch.

New laws and changes in France: July 2020

New travel rules, caps on bank fees, payment of bills in newsagents, new rules for electromagnetic wave devices, cigarette packet costs, and “smooth” gas prices - here’s what changes in France from today (July 1).

HSBC France cuts jobs - what effect on local branches?

HSBC France has announced hundreds of job cuts in Paris – but it has clarified to The Connexion that the impact is only on its investment banking side, not retail banking for the public and businesses.

Fingerprint card payments coming to France in autumn

You could soon make a card payment using your fingerprint in France as a French bank is set to launch the system this autumn.

HSBC France is up for sale – who might buy it?

The retail bank network of HSBC France is up for sale with potential buyers cited as including Société Générale, La Poste, the Franco-German bank Oddo BHF, one American fund and one British fund.

1c and 2c coins may go in France

France is considering phasing out one and two centime coins in coming years; a suggestion to EU states from the European Commission.

Changing bank account in France ‘still too difficult’

Changing bank account in France is still “too difficult”, a new consumer report has said, despite new laws being introduced two years ago that were supposed to make it easier to switch.

Lloyds leave us standing

We thought other readers should know that Lloyds Bank has written to inform us that it is ceasing overseas standing order money transfer to France from November.

French banking authority warns on fake bank websites

Fake online banking sites are becoming more common, a French authority has said, with the public warned to be alert to scams and fake URLs.

Man does a runner after bank’s €177,000 error

A man who saw €177,000 land in his bank account by mistake faces 10 months’ jail after taking the money and running.

France warned to check for fake banknotes of €5-€50

Shoppers in France are being warned to check for fake banknotes, especially for notes of €5, €10, €20 and €50, the national gendarmerie has said.

Can I renegotiate a French 'prêt viager' rate?

Can you renegotiate equity release loan rates if levels drop? J.B.

Equity release in France - advice vital

Thank you for your piece on the unfortunate story of Penny Stevens ( Equity release loan: the rates did not work for me , The Connexion, February 2019).

Can I keep French bank account?

I have had an account with Crédit Agricole for over 10 years and it was opened with thoughts of buying a property in France. Now I do not think this will happen and I am only withdrawing cash from it on holiday. Will it be safe and uncomplicated to keep doing this in the case of Brexit or should I withdraw the money and close the account? C.B.

BNP online banking services down

'Internal IT incident' leaves tens of thousands of French customers of BNP Paribas, Hello Bank and Cetelem unable to access online services

Go online for free banking

Reading the recent news of a freeze on French bank charges and subsequent readers’ comments, I’d like to add that I have recently changed my French bank from Crédit Agricole to Orange Bank online (arranged at my local Orange phone shop).

France on alert by contactless cards theft

A Flaw in the contactless payment system means criminals can continue to use cards even if they have been reported stolen, warns consumer watchdog 60 Millions de Consommateurs.

Bank fee rises cancelled in French ‘collective effort’

All planned increases in bank fees for 2019 in France have been cancelled, as part of the banks’ commitment to President Macron’s “collective effort” to help improve the public’s buying power.

Limits on France's Livret A account withdrawals

I understand that with Livret A savings accounts there is a daily limit on cash dispenser withdrawals. Do you know, can you withdraw as much as you like if you go to a counter in the branch? Also is there any limit on how much you can transfer from the Livret A to another account with the same bank? B.S.

What is changement de domiciliation?

Can you please tell me what a changement de domiciliation means? I received a bank statement which debited several hundred euros from my account under this heading. I live in England but have had a holiday home for 26 years and my mortgage, paid off now, was with this bank. A.M.

What is secure way to receive cash in France?

What is the most secure way of receiving French house sale money? We wish to buy in the UK in the next couple of months. Is our French bank a better option to pay the house sale money into on completion day than a currency exchange company? We feel anxious about putting such a huge sum into a currency company for future exchange to sterling. Is it as secure as a French bank? D.R.

Applying to bank mediator over missing sale funds?

Since selling our French holiday home we have been unable to access the proceeds of the sale from the bank. Our notaire transferred the money to our account in February. Since then we have not returned to France and despite attempts to get a response from our account manager, we have not heard from him – recent requests, including for a new cheque book or to change the account to joint names, have also gone unanswered. Fearing we may have a problem, we referred the matter to the bank’s mediator. Have you heard of such problems before and have we done the right thing by going to the mediator? L.C.