Spanish banks
Where to manage your finances
Spain has about 30 banks with a national presence and numerous regional ones. The two largest banks are BBVA (Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria) and Santander Central Hispano (which includes Banesto).
Commissions and services vary greatly among the banks, so compare several and make a decision based on your needs. As often in Spain, a personal relationship at a bank is really helpful for sorting out problems and for if you need to get anything non-standard done. Ask friends, colleagues or teachers if they can introduce you to a director or sub-director of a local branch; if you have an opportunity take advantage of it.
If you prefer to bank online, Bankinter (www.bankinter.es ) and Openbank, a subsidiary of Banco Santander (www.openbank.es ) offer the most advanced websites and you can open an account online. Bankinter complements their online offering with a national network of branches, while Openbank is purely an online bank.
Also in this section
- Opening an account: How to open a Spanish bank account
- Spanish banks: Where to manage your finances
- Services: Banking services, cash machines and opening hours
- Currency exchange: A beginner’s guide to moving money abroad
- International currency exchange: Glossary of financial jargon
