What's the latest ATM situation? Hook - 8-15-2015 at 05:35 AM
If you're talking about the former situation where you were charged no ATM fees or intl transaction fees at Santander Bank by using your B of A debit
card, it is no more. It ended about two years ago.
Unless there is some new development, that I havent heard of?
People have mostly switched to brokerage account debit cards or Cap One cards that absorb the fees.maryellen50 - 8-15-2015 at 09:23 AM
I have used BofA debit card and the Santander ATM's here in Baja for several years. There is no ATM fee at Santander and the international fee is one
of the lowest of the major U.S. banks.Hook - 8-15-2015 at 10:06 AM
We used to used this method. Then BofA began charging a 3% intl fee. We let BofA go.
Has it gone down since? Or are you keeping a large balance that reduces this? Banks change terms all the time. maryellen50 - 8-16-2015 at 11:24 AM
I'm one of the many "poorer" expats that live in Baja, i.e., I don't have a hefty bank accounts &/or pension or brokerage account. The fee is
based on the transaction...not your balance. 3% sounds right. Unlike many expats here I don't go across the border so the int'l fee is cheaper than
time/gas spent crossing the border or using exchange houses.maryellen50 - 8-16-2015 at 11:34 AM
I'd like to hear others experience with the Chas Schwab checking account with no international fees. Has anyone had problems using it here in Mexico?
Does Schwab have an affiliate bank here?bajaguy - 8-16-2015 at 11:59 AM
I would rather keep my money in a mattress that bank with B of ALee - 8-16-2015 at 01:12 PM
I'd like to hear others experience with the Chas Schwab checking account with no international fees. Has anyone had problems using it here in Mexico?
Does Schwab have an affiliate bank here?
Been with CS for couple years. First time South, card didn't work. Took some time on the phone to get it straight. No excuse since they knew I
was going South. Otherwise, no problems. CS will reimburse any fee from a MX bank, and they personally have no fees. No balance requirement.
Checking account is linked to their ''brokerage'' account so it's 2 accounts -- no requirement to use their brokerage services.
Still have a BofA account which I'll close.
Some would call ATM fees chump change. I don't. Every dollar in my pocket is better than paying for withdrawing my own money.
I'd like to hear others experience with the Chas Schwab checking account with no international fees. Has anyone had problems using it here in Mexico?
Does Schwab have an affiliate bank here?
Yes - Had problems last year. Opened an account in the Fall and then notified them of my travel plans. Worked fine for awhile but then I was
restricted to 2K pesos / day. This went on for about a month and then the card stopped working all together. talked to a couple other people having
the same problem. This was mostly using the Bancomer in Los Barriles . My other 2 cards were working fine .SFandH - 8-16-2015 at 02:02 PM
Fidelity, www.fidelity.com , has the same deal as Charles Schwab. I opened an account there when the B of A fees started. I don't use the brokerage
services offered with the account. To me it's nothing more than a free checking/ATM account. I called customer service when I opened the account and
told them I lived close to the border and would be using the card frequently in Mexico. I've used it throughout baja without problems.Hook - 8-16-2015 at 06:44 PM
So, you have been able to open the CS and the Fidelity accounts on line? Or did you have to go to a branch in person?laventana - 8-22-2015 at 10:31 PM
I have B of A. And only use the card at santer bank in emergencies because of the 3%.
A reliable friend who banks at USAA tells me USAA bank will credit back any bank fee for ATM at a formal bank/ATM and does not charge a percentage.
Plus they tell me that anyone can now join that bank, it use to be only for military and family of military.
