coolhand
Junior Nomad
Posts: 95
Registered: 6-12-2007
Location: san diego
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Santader B of A deal?
What's the latest ATM situation?
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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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.
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maryellen50
Junior Nomad
Posts: 31
Registered: 6-2-2015
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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.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
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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.
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maryellen50
Junior Nomad
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Registered: 6-2-2015
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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.
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maryellen50
Junior Nomad
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Registered: 6-2-2015
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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?
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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I would rather keep my money in a mattress that bank with B of A
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3504
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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Quote: Originally posted by maryellen50  | | 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.
http://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/banking_lending/checking...
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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mojo_norte
Senior Nomad
Posts: 725
Registered: 2-14-2006
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| Quote: Originally posted by maryellen50 | | 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 .
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 8-5-2011
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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.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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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?
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laventana
Nomad
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Registered: 8-24-2006
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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.
[Edited on 8-23-2015 by laventana]
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