New Bank Account

[Rampage]

After nearly 11 years since buying our house in Carvoeiro I am finally going to open a bank account there in preparation for mine and Mrs. Rampage's retirement there in a year or so. I need one that has a good internet banking service with the ready ability to make international transfers to/from UK and overseas banking networks, make bill payments, set up dd/so etc. all online. Any recommendations?

[mur1963]

We set up an account with the Carvoeiro branch of Millennium in August and found them really helpful especially Isabel. Internet banking is good and mostly in English and they have a facility to transfer Sterling to an HSBC account in London which is then credited to your Millenium account in Euros within 24 hours for no fee and a decent FX rate

[mardi]

I would like to recommend BPI now in Lagoa. I opened an account there after previously being with Barclays. BPI only require a minimum balance of 1000 euros to qualify for free banking whilst Barclays wanted 3000. I dealt with Celia who spoke excellent english and made the whole process so easy. I use the internet banking to pay our bills and it is very simple to use. I have been with them for a couple of years and had no problems at all.

[Jaylay]

I would like to recommend BPI now in Lagoa. I opened an account there after previously being with Barclays. BPI only require a minimum balance of 1000 euros to qualify for free banking whilst Barclays wanted 3000. I dealt with Celia who spoke excellent english and made the whole process so easy. I use the internet banking to pay our bills and it is very simple to use. I have been with them for a couple of years and had no problems at all.

Would agree with this, been with them over 20 years always helpful and my husband always admires the nice lady bank clerks.

[sunman]

We set up an account with the Carvoeiro branch of Millennium in August and found them really helpful especially Isabel. Internet banking is good and mostly in English and they have a facility to transfer Sterling to an HSBC account in London which is then credited to your Millenium account in Euros within 24 hours for no fee and a decent FX rate

we use this bank too, it's in a handy place in town, a good bank, & Isabel is lovely & helpful

[sam]

We set up an account with the Carvoeiro branch of Millennium in August and found them really helpful especially Isabel. Internet banking is good and mostly in English and they have a facility to transfer Sterling to an HSBC account in London which is then credited to your Millenium account in Euros within 24 hours for no fee and a decent FX rate

Just what I would recommend. Been with them for sometime now. The HSBC transfer from UK account is easy and free, a good rate and speed, and as little or often as you need. Internet banking in English, though paper correspondence comes in Portuguese. You can set up favorites for domestic transfers so you don't have to remember and type in long BIN numbers. You do need to keep so much in your account to have free banking (was 1,500 I think), but charges not high if you don't.

[Matryx]

I'm happy with the Santander branch half way up Restaurant Hill. The staff are fantastic, and always answer email queries if any arise. No issues with transfers from my bank in the UK, and all dd payments are made to deal with utility bills etc. In fact, visiting the bank is a social experience due to the helpful nature of the staff

[maccasa]

Totally agree re santander totta on rue Farol - have used them for almost 9 yrs and are very helpful. The added bonus is that you can transfer £ to the London branch of Totta and they pay it into your account in CVO in € - no charges and at the spot rate on FT.

[Rampage]

Many thanks for all your helpful replies. I'll follow them up during my visit in March/April.