So, is there a reason to have a bank account in Argentina?

[Ries]

You cant get a bank account without a DNI these days. So if you get a pensionista visa, then you can get one. If you buy a place, its really convenient to have one, because you can set up all your utilities on autopay. And, like everywhere else, more and more argentines dont use cash much anymore, (even though tourists often need to) they just make online transfers from their phones.
If you want to see a concert, or buy something on Mercado Libre, or a dozen other common things, its quick and easy and free to transfer online from your bank account.
And, given the current value of the peso versus the denominations of the paper currency, just to buy a blender requires a huge thick wad of cash.
If and when you can get one, you will find it desirable.
Nobody SAVES money in one.
You just put in enough to cover your expenses.
Argentines save money in physical Benjamins.
Or, by buying apartments.

 

[DK72]

[...] (even though tourists often need to) [...]

Even more that the program of the government (opening USD accounts for tourists in order to bring USD here) does not seem to work, to say the least.

According to infobae, not a single account has been opened yet. Not only that, not a single request came in ... Only in Argentina ....

 

[Ries]

Even more that the program of the government (opening USD accounts for tourists in order to bring USD here) does not seem to work, to say the least.

According to infobae, not a single account has been opened yet. Not only that, not a single request came in ... Only in Argentina ....

Is that program really in effect? I cant imagine banks would like it, and, if you did try to open an account, I bet it would take half a day. Its kind of misguided- A supply withot a demand. What digital nomads would like is easy access to cheap imported electronics, like, say, Amazon, and decent reliable internet.

 

[Neil]

Brubank works well for bill pays,low cost fees all virtual ,can use local ATM's to extract pesos. And works with western union transfers!