Which bank to open an account with?

[Zissou]

Hi guys,

Wondering if anyone has any suggestions on which bank I should open an account with (with DNI).

I'm looking for which:

- offers most convenience debit payment, online banking, bill (which would be cell phone - Personal, credit card) payment
- best credit card
- best discounts (eg at supermarkets or with airlines)
- and lastly - if any offers any hope of transferring funds from either paypal or a Canadian bank account (not holding my breath but just in case)

Thanks!

 

[KarlaBA]

HSBC is best in class in my opinion. HSBC has a support telephone line in English if you require it.

 

[NickF]

I've been very pleased with HSBC as well.

 

[Stafford]

I would go with HSBC or Citi. Stay away from state run banks like Banco de la Nacion if you can help it.

 

[Davidglen77]

I've never had what I would call a good experience with a bank here, some have been worse than others. HSBC once deposited a wire transfer I received from the US into another person's account and then expected me to find out who it was. I had to raise hell to get it straightened out and almost lost my 30% boleta deposit on the apartment I was purchasing. Santander Rio never did any of that, but they went from charging me a monthly fee of $40 pesos to $120 all of a sudden with no explanation and gave me a really hard time to close the account. Banco Patagonia took all kinds of fees out of my account until I did an audit and demanded via carta documento an explanation of the fees and only then did they refund me almost $700 pesos. So whomever you chose, just review your monthly statement VERY carefully and if they do dupe you call them on it!

 

[garygrunson]

HSBC was good for me, but Santander Rio gave me a credit card with little or no problem, I have had an account with HSBC for 4 years or more, and generally I like them better, they are less crowded and seem to be more professional. However they did not give me a credit card...

 

[Bill.Cochabamba]

Do you recommend HSBC for safety deposit boxes? Does HSBC allow foreigners to have bank accounts? Do you know the cost to wire money back to the states? I know there are a lot of new laws. Is there a new thread with this information already?

Many thanks!

 

[steveinbsas]

Hi Bill, This thread should help: Banks. Has anyone else heard this?

I believe it is almost impossible to rent a safetly deposit box, even if you have an account...and they now cost about $2000 pesos per year.

 

[Davidglen77]

I had a safe deposit box at HSBC on Cabildo near José Hernandez, I only kept it for important papers, such as escritura, passport, birth cert, etc. I eventually closed it as the price went up to $675 PER QUARTER, and this was 2 years ago. I now have an escribano holiding these papers for me in a fireproof cabinet in his office. My old safe deposit box in New York City cost $32 U$D per year!