Bank

mon · Post by **mon** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 12:30 pm

It sure does work, free of charge!

Millennium BCP have an agreement witht he post office. I presume that that way, the post office makes a bit, due to them doing the exchange from GBP - EUR!

They are very helpful in the London office. I work just down the Road from their office, and I have even been given contact details including an email address of a reprasentative who will assist me should I have any problems!

So instead of Paying £28 pounds to transfer my money all I pay is a few cents to transfer from my acc with Millennium to BPI whereI have my mortgage! Et Viola !

carolyn · Post by **carolyn** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 1:22 pm

This sounds just what we've been looking for - since Barclays have stopped their 'low value transfer' service (which was good value at £10 for transfers up to £2000).

Can you explain in a little more detail what you do - mon?
Do you need any sort of account at the Post Office - or do you just write a cheque from your own bank and fill in a GIRO with the IBAN details and account number of the Millenium account?

Sorry to ask so many questions - but this topic has been mentioned before and when the details have finally been revealed, it has often turned out to be not the deal it first appeared to be!

rodstocker · Post by **rodstocker** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 10:14 am

I have used Banco Santander for well over 10 years now and found them excellent. when I lived in the UK, some years ago now, they even telephoned me twice in the UK to tell me that my Principal Account was very low and asked if I would like to sell some investments to correct this. Not the service that you get from UK Banks. They have a web site and you can buy and sell shares on the web site or transfer money to others. It is though in Portuguese but is no more difficult to master than the ATM from where you draw money in the High Street. In the old days you could transfer any amount of money (£10 to £100K) for just £20 using RBSI with whom they still have a connection. However, this facility was withdrawn following mergers/takeovers. Their office is in Portimão and the Manager is Sara Gallis who is very friendly and speaks excellent English.

I have now registered with Global Currency Exchange http://www.gcen.co.ukwho will transfer money free of charge. I have not yet needed to use their service as I live here but no doubt in the future will need to do so.

Rod

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 10:14 am

Two comments. Agree that Millenium bcp offer an excellent service. With internet banking in English, I can keep an eye on my account when in the UK, and pay bills by transferring funds to other Portuguese accounts. I use the CVO branch and find the staff very helpful.
Regarding free transfer of funds to Portugal from UK, ensure you are not actually paying for the service via a poor exchange rate. The rash of "commision free" travel money outlets in UK depend on making their profit from the difference between the buy and sell rates. Still don't believe in free lunches.

Mike,Chislehurst · Post by **Mike,Chislehurst** » Sat May 20, 2006 11:05 am

Lesley jean, I've sent you a PM regarding Millenium Bank

biffa · Post by **biffa** » Sat May 20, 2006 11:45 pm

Nobody has mentioned BANIF.

Not in Cvo but in Lagoa next to Notary. Very proactive. Good internet banking in English. Mortgages at competitive rates for non residents. No queues (until you lot start using it!)

All in all pretty good.

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Sun May 21, 2006 9:47 am

sent one back Mike

wizzo · Post by **wizzo** » Mon May 22, 2006 10:13 am

Steer clear of Barclays!

I opened an accout at the begining of March, I was promised cards and cheque books would be sent to my UK address and would take about ten days. Despite numerous complainig phone calls I have had nothing through since accept 2 monthly statements.

Brian