Francesca in France

Bonjour!

I received monthly mails from my old bank Caisse d' Epargne that I have money from them.
I know I closed the account already year 2004 because of change of residence, but surprisingly, they kept my account alive from 3.25 € to 32€ as of today.

I planned to continue the account, I inquired, and the lady told me to bring my requirements.

My residence card
My proof of address electric or phone
My three months payslip
My 3months bank statement of present bank account.

My husband keeps all the papers and when I asked him, he was in high horse(big cry) about showing our bank statements to another bank.

I went to the lady, told her, I have with me all the requirements but not the three months bank statement, because it is a joint account and my husband do not have the intention of showing it to anybody except the Govt, the Immigration or the Tax ofice.

The lady said;"Then we will refuse you to continue your bank account with us."
"How about my 32€ in your bank, it is mine."
"You can withdraw it, but with a fee of 100€".

I laughed!

I will receive a 32€ from them, but I must pay 100€ for the service, haha.

I told her, then keep that money, it will grow anyway, when it reached 200€ I come back to get the 100€ and the 100€ to pay the bank services.

She said okey.
I still thank her for her time.
One way to show I still civil.

I went out of the bank and told Michel, we had a good laugh about it.
I cannot continue my existing account!!!
Unbelievable.
If I deposit money in there, they might force me to close the account and charge me 100€.
I found the situation ridiculous.

Today, I learned from the french newspaper, Le Monde, that all banks must check previous bank status of new clients before allowing them to open an account.

Why?

Some clients have issues.Here are some;


Case 1.The bank sent a letter of remerciér(gallant way of saying you are kicked out) in 60 days despite he got 15K€ in his account. The problem was, the bank wanted him to put his money in another account which he will be charged a lot of the service fees,he refuse so they close his account.

Case 2.One client do not want a debit card, instead asked for checks in paying his bills. Checks are free, debit card yearly is 27€ depends on the bank. As the client do not want to have a debit card, he was remerciér
A gallant way of saying thank you,bye...do not come back!

Case 3.The bank took 30€ monthly as bank charges because of maintaining an account to them. The client have 6K€ . The client asked why is it so, they said, because there's no much movement on your account. We will stop it, if you open to us an account Livre A, an account that the bank saves your money in return, will give you with little interests. He refuse, he was remerciér;


If one does not have a bank account, he is considered nothing like a poor soul, even he is loaded of cash.

Internet now requires bank cards to buy, some telephone co requires a debit card, Employers requires your bank identity account to pay your salary, SSS needs yor bank account to reimburse your medical expenses, even the tax office here, requires your bank account to pay your taxes.

Meng, my friend in Japan sent me the CNN award link, that France won as the most beautiful country to live in. Here is the link.
click

It is true. France have good wines, bread, cheese, one can ride a bus of 1€ fare,have coffee in sunshine for a minimum fee, walking around Sienne River in Paris, in lush green parks, or in the fine sand beaches of Cote d' Azur for free.

But then one must work or earn money( and pay taxes) to live in this country.
It doesnt get all free...