Bank of America

I read on a prior post that Bank of America has a relationship with BNP so their customers can use BNP%26#39;s ATM%26#39;s with no fees.

Just wanted to share how easy it was to open an account with B of A. I did it all online on their website, including charging my opening balance to a credit card. For just $25, I was able to open a basic savings account that comes with an ATM card. The card came within about 4 days. I changed the PIN to a four digit number (computer had assigned 6 digits), because I read Paris ATM%26#39;s don%26#39;t usually take more than 4 digit PIN%26#39;s.

No fee on the account as long as there%26#39;s more than $25 in it. After 6 months, you have a keep a minimum of $300 to avoid fees.

I went to BNP%26#39;s website and found an ATM within a block of my hotel. Looks like they have ATM%26#39;s throughout the city.

Seems like a simple way to avoid the fees. I need all the help I can get with the US dollar so low!

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Did you open a checking account?

You have to have money in a checking account because the debit card is deducted from ones checking account in Paris not the savings account. There is no option in Paris to withdraw from ones savings.

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Now that creates a complication. I%26#39;ll have to look into checking account options.

Thanks for the tip. This site really is helpful!

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I think if it is a BOA Debit card it would come out of his savings account if that is the only account it is linked to.

However I would double check just to be sure.

The BOA atms do ask which account you want but I would think if it is only linked to one the BNP atm dispense the money.

I am fortunate that I have a BOA branch 3 blocks from me and I just about wore the branch manager out asking questions. LOL

I withdrew 80 euro and $109 was withdrawn from my account. ex rate of .73

and I got a much better rate on the hotel in Paris than my London one so 4 and 1/2 days in Paris cost me less than 2 1/2 in London. so Paris is still reasonable.

It%26#39;s that airfare that costs us half our budget.

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%26quot;Penny...%26quot; you wrote...%26quot;The BOA atms do ask which account %26quot;

They do not give you that option in France... it comes from one%26#39;s checking account only. I used the B of A debit card last summer for my 90 day stay and the option is not given at the BNP debit machines.

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One more thing I forgot to mention:

It does not tell you your balance.... you keep track your self or call the bank to findout what the exchange rate was and the balance of your checking account.

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Yes, re: balance that was one of my many questions to branch manager.

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I had one problem using my debit card in France.

I always used the PNB ATM when the next door PBN Bank is open.

The cash machine only gave me a receipt saying I took out 500 euros but the machine was empty of money.....I went inside and told the bank manager and he check and saw their was no money in it and I had been given none.

He wrote a note time and date and his name and told me to use the other ATM machine next to the one I used.

Then I was able to get my euros and avoid a double false withdrawal... and I had proof from the manager.

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I would say be careful what a US branch manager says about how it works it Europe, because he/she might just be guessing and not really know. If BofA has an actual branch there (not unusual -- e.g., I%26#39;m with Citibank and they have a branch on the Champs Elysees) you could make your way there in the first day or so and ask them the questions.

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BofA has no retail outlets in Paris; they have a commercial office in the 8th, however they expressly do not deal with retail customers.

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Berkely: the mgr knew lots more than customer service who told me first I couldn%26#39;t use overseas and then a fee. that%26#39;t why a waited till mgr was there and when back to see him.

but if I was Traveler I would contact BOA.

and maybe post to forum and see if a Parisian can call BNP for him.