Discovering France and International Banking

Well, today, again my patience has been tested!  Trying to figure out all of the jargon to do a money exchange and then to actually get it to France has consumed most of my morning.  It isn't the first time we have done an international exchange; it is the first time the lady at our local bank had used the new online system to do an international exchange!  Enough said.

Because there is so much fluctuation with the Euro, it is a great time to be buying in France.  By using an exchange company you can actually save thousands of dollars on a large purchase compared to what exchange you could get with your local bank. We have been working with James at www.smartcurrencyexchange.com.  He has been very helpful. One of the great things about Smart Currency Exchange is that if you email them--you get an almost immediate response and even better, if you call them--they answer!  No buttons to push, no waiting and no music to pass the time--just a quick few rings and the most adorable English accent answers! Another great thing is that they tell me often, "No question is a dumb question!"  They are more than happy to help with any of the details.  They even take note to call during the hours that work best for me--due to the 7 hour time difference. The process is quite easy if you just follow the steps.  I ran into a snag today because the onward transfer details that the Notaire supplied to me did not include an IBAN (International Banking routing) number.  I went ahead with all the info provided and now will wait for the confirmation that the money for the down payment actually made it to France.

Banking in France is still part of our "Discovering the South of France" things to do.  It is not so easy to open a bank account for checking and/or a debit card.  First, you have to provide a passport or residence permit.  We will be showing our passports.  Then, you need proof of your home address in France (a phone or electricity bill) and from what I have learned from others in France as well as the internet--you can't get your utilities hooked up without a bank account.  So, we will continue to "Discover France" as time goes by.  I know there is a way--there has to be--but I will have to seek help from Helen, our estate agent, or Chris, our friend in Quillan.  Good thing I have until October to get this all sorted out!

This is a local bank in Quillan--The BNP Paribas.  There is a lot of paperwork in France--we keep hearing it referred to as the French Bureaucracy--but for us--at least now, it is exciting.  Maybe we will change our minds after a few hundred more copies of stuff--but for now c'est la vie!