Bank recommendations for non-res account

[planetpetey]

If any one out there can give any recommendations or info on Italian banks I'd be grateful. Needing to open a non-residence bank account, and wondering which Italian banks have best reputations for service and stability, in the Scalea/Maiera/Cirella area. Thank you.

[uakelly]

Sorry I cannot offer you any positive advice about opening a bank account but I can share my experiences and recommend you dont open one with Banco Poste.
We opened one (it took up to two hours to open.) We put 200 euros in to set it up. Then found we couldnt use it to do what we wanted and pay bills or renew internet as it wasn't a credit card and didn't have the 3 security numbers on the back. Anyway as we couldnt use it for anything else, we used it in machine to pay a few motorway tolls to and from naples ( a few euros). After a year and a half because of monthly costs? they wrote asking us for more money. We went in at Easter to close it and were able to do so for the bargain price of 77.99 more euros.
The message is make sure it is what you want and does what you need. For us it was an expensive experiment we were glad to be rid off.

[Doug]

We got setup with BNL in Scalea (on the corso) in 2007 when we started buying property and have stayed with them. Online banking was good from the US, and remains good here. Some believe their fees are higher than other banks, but we do not know. Have heard that it's a real pain to close-out an account at one bank to open another. We've been happy with their service and likeable clerks when getting lots of cash, un assegno, etc. They also will accept an American cheque (for deposit) without much question. Their ATM card is good for €500 per day at BNL locations and €250 at other bancomats. We do NOT have an Italian VISA or other credit/debit card at this time, so can't speak to autostrade fees, bill paying, etc. Have gotten used to cash for daily life here.

[annetigano]

I would say it very much depends on what you need the account for and how often you will be in Italy. If it is to pay bills i.e. electricity (ENEL) you have to pay this either by cash in Italy or using an Italian originated debit or credit card. The banks charge a fortune to have a current account and it is often worth paying an agent to handle the bill payments for you.
Have you bought somewhere in Italy and did your estate agent offer you any bill payment service?
If you post your requirements here then many people will probably have an input. Doug's situation is somewhat different from non-residents as he is resident (lucky chap) but it is good to know he has found a helpful bank.

[Margaret]

Can I put a plug in for the Banca Popolare di Bari. If you're used to banking in the UK though you might be advised to have a health check first as the shock of dealing with actual people who actually do things in super quick time might induce a heart attack! The other day they produced a new card, new pin and new check book in the time it would take to get through the telephone menu in the UK. They're in the middle of Scalea - by the new pedestrianised bit. They have charges but they don't seem to be any more than the UK ones.

[Margaret]

Whoops - cheque book. Have been reading an American book so guess it's rubbed off on me. Anyway, however it's spelt the bank produced it unbelievably quickly.

[uakelly]

Do they give you an Italian registeed credit card? One with the security numbers on the back. That's what we need.

[Italy4me]

I have an italian barclaycard which i applied for online and it came in the post very quickly.
Here's a link - Carte di credito Barclaycard

I believe there is an annual fee but I seem to get that refunded each year, which I assume happens if you spend a minimum amount through the year.

Plus you can view your account online.

[uakelly]

Lesley,

Thanks for that advice. Have looked at this site. Do you need to be a resident in Italy? We have an address, fiscal codes etc but do you need to have proof of a current account in Italy? We are very keen on this card but it looks like it may be easier for those who actually have residency! We hope not!

Ursula

[Italy4me]

Ursula,
Having had a good look at the application process it is saying that you need to be:

An Italian Citizen
Resident in Italy
Over 26
Have a current account or post office account in Italy.

Apologies for not looking more closely at that previously.
Lesley

[Andy&Kath]

We have a bank account with BNL which we opened in 2007. Whilst like the majority of non UK banks they charge for personal accounts (like business accounts in the UK) if my memory serves we only had to open it with 5 or 10 euros. More importantly we pay our Enel (electricity) bill by direct debit from this account. I have heard about the problems with paying Italian bills with non Italian credit cards but we have mobile internet with 3 Italia and the charges are taken on the 1st of very month from our Euro pre-paid mastercard which we obtained from mytravelcash.com (Newcastle Building society I believe manage the card). We aslo ordered and paid for Sky Italia in a shop in Scalea with our uk Barclaycard and the monthlysubscription is taken directly off this card. Only problem we had was when the card was renewed but a 5 min phone call to Sky Italia (by someone with better Italian than me) notifying them of the new card details and the problem was resolved.

Regards
Andy

[planetpetey]

thanks all for your advice and experiences.. mainly I wanted to have an account for paying the renovators/builders etc for the place we are doing up in Maiera.
But our real estate agent has suggested other ways of doing it... still, when I do eventually need an account I have a better idea of what is what now. Many thanks all for responding!.

[Margaret]

uakelly
Sorry I didn't get back before. My new card has a security number but I have a feeling the old one didn't. I've always used cheques for payment so hadn't come across that problem.
Good luck.

[brynithel3]

Hi
Remember when visiting an Italian bank it is wise to take a packed lunch, drinks, a good book, Mp3 player and plenty of patience. That's if the security guard allows you into the bank with all that baggage.
I wondered whether it was better to meet the teller at the nearest bar because very often the board goes up at the desk signifying a break in proceedings and the teller nips over to the bar for a coffee. Customer satisfaction is way down their list.
I am with the HSBC in the UK and they have branches on the continent. I use their system and have opened an account in a French bank (much more civilised). It is easy to transfer money. That said, I haven't had to set up any direct debits yet.

Ciao

John

[brynithel3]

Hi
Just to mention bill paying services. It is best to shop around and ask advice from other users. This service can cost between 150 to 250 euros. But failure to pay an electric bill on time can have dire consequences.

Ciao

John

[Margaret]

In defence of all the Italian banking system! I've always been the first to despair at the Italian way of doing things (having spent half a day once going around the Naples Municipio where quill pens seemed to be still in use - OK slight exaggeration!) but have to repeat what I wrote here before. The bank in Scalea produced a new card, number and cheque book in less time than I'd get through on the phone in the UK. Was absolutely gobsmacked.

[brynithel3]

Hi
Quill pens? What a luxury. I thought they were still dealing in hieroglyphics or perhaps even cave wall paintings.
Knowing the Italians perchance for wearing medals. Its a wonder they don't them awarded a medal for every customer dealt with in under an hour. Their weathermen have more medals than a Afghan veteran.
ciao

John

[Margaret]

Cripes - never thought I'd be defending Italian bureaucracy! The 'quill pen' experience was a long time ago. Recently in Scalea I had to get something from the Comune and it was done in double quick time. Am wondering if Italy hasn't made a jump from the quill pen era to the cyber era without anything in between much. Although experiences of the post office make me wonder if they've left the quill pens behind there. It seems like everyone's experiences are pretty varied.

[MarKel]

Margaret,

I'm just wondering if the item the Comune dealt with for you in double quick time was in any way related to your ICI Tax.
We bought in October 2007, and our agent still has not managed to sort out our ICI for us, always citing difficulties with and within the Comune as the reason.
Has anyone out there managed to sort out their ICI tax themselves during the past couple of years?

Markel

[annetigano]

We didn't get an ICI bill for 2009/2010 so went to the office with an old bill. They took the details from an old bill and issued us with a payment slip which we then paid at the post office. Maybe this is not so easy if you have never had a previous bill. You will need to take your deeds to the office if you have never had a bill and they will take the details from that.
Hope this helps.