greta-inbaja
Nomad
Posts: 132
Registered: 7-19-2006
Location: Truckee, CA
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bank account
Hello,
Any opinions on the easiest bank to open an account with near san jose?? I do not have my fm3 yet. I usually use my hsbc online account (no fees) but
now if I start building my house i might need an account there. I don't think I can get my fm3 until next fall since that is the best time for me to
renew it. as i am not retired yet. Any bank opinions will be greatly appreciated.
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Salsa
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Posts: 174
Registered: 2-4-2003
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Try to get one associated with one in the USA so you can fet reasonable price money transfers.
Don
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greta-inbaja
Nomad
Posts: 132
Registered: 7-19-2006
Location: Truckee, CA
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Thanks Don, I read an article/ad in the gringo gazette last fall. It mentioned a bank in or near villa del palmar that had english speaking staff and
didn't make opening an account as challenging as some. I don't think you needed an fm3 either. I thought is was either bancomer or banemex. I heard
hsbc was nasty to deal with. too bad since i have an online account with them. I really dislike bank of america and wells fargo in the states but I
think they are affiliated w/the 2 mentioned above. My original builder had an account at bank of america in the usa. so that was so much easier. oh
well, new builder, new problem. living in california at least prepares you for jumping through many hoops to build a casa.
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Mulegena
Super Nomad
Posts: 2412
Registered: 11-7-2006
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"InterCuenta"
Bancomer and Wells Fargo have an affiliation called an Inter-Cuenta Account which can be opened on-line at wellsfargo.com to link your two accounts at
the respective banks.
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BigWooo
Senior Nomad
Posts: 579
Registered: 1-2-2007
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Can you open a bank account without having an FM3?
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greybaby
Nomad
Posts: 182
Registered: 10-8-2004
Location: Idaho - formerly Cantu
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Mood: Missing Baja
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Bank of America is linked with Santander
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greta-inbaja
Nomad
Posts: 132
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Location: Truckee, CA
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bigwoo, that's the problem, I have heard "yes, you need an fm3" and "no, you don't need an fm3" . I am down there in May. I guess I'll have to find
out.
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oldlady
Banned
Posts: 1714
Registered: 10-31-2005
Location: BCS
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Bancomer is also affiliated with JPMorgan Chase. We had to have FM-3's, something with our proof of address (electric bill) and a letter from anyone
saying they knew us and we did live there. That was 2 years ago. Friends of ours just opened an account at either Santander or Scotia nd they were
asked for the same documentation.
We have all branches oof Bancoomer in La Paz pleasant to deal with.
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UnoMas
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Location: East Cape
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Mood: Great
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Greta,
I was told that you had to have a fm-3 to open a bank account as well when I built my house. The person I have pay my bills called the bank manager at
the bank he does business with and we were able to get an account without the fm-3, so it has been done but it was 7 years ago. As always in Mexico it
is who you know and how the person feels that day that you are dealing with. I am in the East Cape area and the account I had was in San Jose so if I
can help you send a U2U.............Good luck
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capitolkat
Senior Nomad
Posts: 510
Registered: 3-9-2006
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Citibank and Banamex
We have a Citibank account and can access the funds through the Banamex ATM with no access charges. don't know why you need a mexican bank, but isn't
it true that they charge you to hold your money, even savings??
Life is too short to drink bad wine
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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inside tip...contact welcometobaja via U2U..he can help.
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Don Alley
Super Nomad
Posts: 1997
Registered: 12-4-2003
Location: Loreto
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BigWooo
Can you open a bank account without having an FM3? |
No.
There is or was such a rule but they don't have to follow it. If they do, go to another bank. Also, there was also a rule saying you needed the
account to get an FM3. Catch 22.
It's been a few years since we opened ours but we did need a utility bill from our address (even though it was in another's name) and three
references, preferably from Spanish speakers and better yet, in our case, from relatives of the bank manager.
If you don't have a Mexican residence it could be difficult to open an account.
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Terry28
Senior Nomad
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Location: S.Calif mtns.
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When bought our place in Rosarito a while back I opened an account with Bancomer, I did have a local address but did not need to use it, I said I
would be picking up our statements in person so please hold them....No problem at all. I did not have an FM-3 at the time and they did not ask.
They the $$ gave me the passbooks, etc. and I was on my way.
Very few questions were asked. They did photocopy my drivers license for future ID purposes but that was all. I never needed any letters, utility
bills etc.
Mexico!! Where two can live as cheaply as one.....but it costs twice as much.....
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Terry28
Senior Nomad
Posts: 825
Registered: 8-25-2007
Location: S.Calif mtns.
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Mood: Thirsty
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Where is the spell check??? ....I meant to say "they counted the $$, gave me the pass book etc.
Mexico!! Where two can live as cheaply as one.....but it costs twice as much.....
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by capitolkat
isn't it true that they charge you to hold your money, even savings?? |
In some cases, if not all, yes. I knew a lady in Rosarito who put 1500 bucks into an account in order to get legalized. At a later date, don't
know the time span, she went to withdraw her money and there was very little left after charges.
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rpleger
Super Nomad
Posts: 1087
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Location: H. Mulegé, BCS
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Mood: Was good.
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Banamex if there is one near you...
You can pay your bills on the internet (Telmex, Power bill) ...
Easy to bring money in by way of Citibank or Banamex USA...
Richard on the Hill
*ABROAD*, adj. At war with savages and idiots. To be a Frenchman abroad is to
be miserable; to be an American abroad is to make others miserable.
-- Ambrose Bierce, _The Enlarged Devil\'s Dictionary_
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Phil S
Super Nomad
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Mood: After 34 years. Still in love w/ my wife
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If you are from California, contact a local Bank of Commerce. Ask them what bank in Baja that they "affiliate" with. My brother dealt with them in
California, and though he had to drive to Constitution to do business with their "affliate" is was nicer than trying to deal with BanComer!!!!!!!
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osoflojo
Nomad
Posts: 378
Registered: 10-29-2004
Location: c.s.l./b.c.s.
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HSBC branches in Cabo are very user friendly. You can also transfer money from a US account to HSBC USA, further credit HSBC Mexico and it is a
domestic transfer not intl.
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