Banks basic accounts

Now I know there are lots of comments flying around about charges being made by banks to accept money from the UK. This post is NOTHING to do with that so please don´t respond other than in relation to the questions I am asking.

I am looking for an account which:

1. does NOT require me to do stuff on my phone
2. will handle direct debits for water, electricity and community fees (I pay cash for other things)
3. allows me to take money out of an ATM
4. doesn´t require me to have money put into the account monthly eg pension or salary
5. does not need me to sign up for an investment, insurance product or other such add-on

From reading stuff, I understand that all banks must provide a basic account - is that correct? From what I read, it provides just what I am looking for but could do with some feedback before going down this route.

1. Does anyone have such an account?
2. What are the benefits of such an account?
3. What are the pitfalls or shortcomings of such an account?

Thanks in advance.

Hi it was me who posted! I've got an appointment next week with the bank involved so I'll send a pm to you and let you know how it's panned out

LizzyW56
Cajamar Caja Rural has an account that costs 20 Euro for 3 months, the bills are paid via this account, direct debit, a credit card to trade with and withdraw cash via ATM. Free withdrawals at Cajamar vending machines. The account is also available free of charge if you deposit 1000 Euros, which are unusable for consumption, but you get these 1000 Euros back on the day you close the account. This is the information I received. Office; Calle Ramon Gallud, 109, 03182 Torrevieja, Alicante, Spain Opening hours, 08:30 - 14.00 Phone: +34 966 70 82 99

cheflady - sorry I did not know you had already posted something. Can you tell me what you had said?

Hi I wasn't dissing you my post yesterday was caixia Microbank account I will let you know as soon as I know I think it's disgusting that they can charge as near as €480.00 a yr not paying a single penny in interest to use MY BLOODY MONEY disgusting. Bankers are W..KERS. Enough said!!!!!!

BBVA claim to have a bank account with zero charges but I think it has to be conducted on line,including opening the account.
I speak as someone who has just reduced my Caixabank balance to zero until I can present myself in person to close the account.

The reason I am asking this is because I understand all banks have to offer a basic account which allows for the payment of direct debits, withdrawal of cash, deposit of money and must also provide a debit card. These accounts are realistically there to allow every resident facilities to manage their money, without the whistle and bells add-ons. When I weigh it up, this would suit me perfectly. However, it is hard to get hold of the information about such accounts, because the charges are negligible and so the banks want you to go for something more elaborate so they make more money out of you. I would seriously ask everyone out there, are all the services you are paying for actually useful to you? I intend to ditch LaCaixa in favour of a "basic" account, just trying to find the right one.

cheflady wrote:Hi it was me who posted! I've got an appointment next week with the bank involved so I'll send a pm to you and let you know how it's panned out

Hi can you let me know the details of your visit too please, I am with sabadel as a non resident and just need a simple a/c with online access whilst I am in the uk
Cheers Brenda

BiHol wrote:LizzyW56
Cajamar Caja Rural has an account that costs 20 Euro for 3 months, the bills are paid via this account, direct debit, a credit card to trade with and withdraw cash via ATM. Free withdrawals at Cajamar vending machines. The account is also available free of charge if you deposit 1000 Euros, which are unusable for consumption, but you get these 1000 Euros back on the day you close the account. This is the information I received. Office; Calle Ramon Gallud, 109, 03182 Torrevieja, Alicante, Spain Opening hours, 08:30 - 14.00 Phone: [url=tel:+34 966 70 82]+34 966 70 82[/url] 99

I will look into this bank but I am non resident and just want what they appear to offer, I need a bank who has some English speaking staff though, and do you know the name of this a/c please
Many thanks
Brenda

Hi,

I am also a non-resident and have visit Cajamars office in Guardamar and they do speak English.

On there webbside they have something they called "Wefferent, I do not now what that mean but think it is a free account.

Pay them a visit.

Jan