How to close your French bank account remotely?
It took me 7 months, and I hope no one will face my situation anymore.
My french level is only A2 and I have no close frineds in France, but with the help of Google Translation and my patience, I made it.
Also thanks to the supports from differnt staff of the bank, I can totally imagine the restrictions they might have encountered.
隨著法國銀行最後的餘款終於在2022.05回到台灣的外幣帳戶，我想我的遠距關戶是成功了。
法文只有A2、在法國也沒有熟友的我，在Google Translation與耐心的幫助下完成了這項任務。
橫跨七個月的關戶紀實時如下，敬請觀賞。
沒有特殊狀況，或許還是現場把帳戶處理好再離開會比較省時省力吧?
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Le premier mois (Septembre 2021)
2021.09.26 –
I messaged the bank via the SG App, told them I have left France and will not be able to close my account in person, and asked them what should I do.
2021.09.28 –
The conseil told me to mail back my CB (carte bleue) with one angle cutted&the IBAN to which I’d like to transferred my balance.
Le deuxième moi (Octobre 2022)
2021.10.03 –
Following my quesions, detailed information was provided regarding what documents to send back in order to terminate my French bank account remotely.
These documents are: my card, my checkbook, a statement with IBAN to which my balance would go, passport copy
2021.10.04 –
As an efficient human being, I prepare all the documents needed to terminate the bank account right away, then rushed to DHL service station on the same day.
By the way, the front patter of my card is a poppy and a kitten on the lawn, looking at each other; very adorable. I will always thank the lady conseil who encouraged me to pick a card pattern I like.
2021.10.08 –
I learned from DHL web that my docuemnt was delivered on 7th.
2021.10.14 –
Everyday I logged in my bank app to check if my account had been succesfully closed. On 14th, I sent a message to make sure when the account will be closed.
2021.10.15 –
A conseillere confirmed my document was received, and they will let me know while my bank was closed. How sweet and wonderful! I was happy that this was easier than I expected.
Le troisième moi (Novembre 2021)
2021.11.01 –
Tick-tok, my acount was still open and I was afraid I would be charged for another month’s bank fee (though it’s a cheap price) , so I contacted the agence again.
2021.11.05 –
The conseiller replied me the progress. Felling thanksful.
2021. 11. 06 –
SOMETHING HORRIBLE HAPPENED.
I couldn’t log in my bank app anymore, I changed nothing but the system said I have tried wrong password. I had always communicated with the bank by the app, what should I do now ?
2021.11.12 –
Luckily I kept the card of the lady who helped open my account. I wrote to the email on the card, hoped to receive any updates regarding my bank account.
2021.11.18 –
DingDong! An email from the bank reached my email box, asked if my app problem had been fixed.
2021.11.18 –
I told the bank I still couldn’t login.
2021.11.26 –
No reply from the bank. I wrote again.
Le quatrième mois (Decembre 2021)
2021.12.10 –
No reply from the bank, it had been more than 2 weeks. I wrote again.
2021.12.17 –
No reply still, I wrote again.
2021.12.27 –
No reply still, I wrote again.
2021.12.29 –
The snow melted! I finally got reply after 5 no-responded mail!
The bank asked me ” Do you still have your bank card? Do you still remember your code confidential?”
Excuse me? I sent my bank card to you nearly 3 months ago!
Speechless.
2021.12.29 –
I replied the mail with screenshot of my past coversation with the bank.
Since the conseiller/conseillere replied my messages weren’t always the same person, I guessed perhaps some information hadn’t been passed down properly.
I was more than happy to provide necessary information again as long as this issue could be settled down soon. Don’t forget it had been almost 3 months since I sent my documents back to France via DHL.
Le cinquième mois (Janvier, 2022)
2022.01.21 –
Bonne année!
No news. I followed up the email. (Considering it’s vacation season, I did not push too hard)
Le sixième mois (Fervier, 2022)
2022.02.17 –
No news. I follwedup and complained.
2022.02.23 –
Here comes the spring with freezing wind.
I finally got the reply(it has been 2 months), but the bank asked me to provide a French account, identity document, and a handwriting statement.
2022.02.24 –
I told the bank I had sent EVERYTHING last October following the bank’s instruction.
2022.02.24 –
I felt thanksful because the bank had not been this responsive before.
The conseille insisted they can only transfer my balance to a French account.
I provided my bank account at home to you last October, you did not say a word, and now suddenly you requested me to provide a French account?
I respect the rules of every organization (if it’s a true one), but that’s really not the way treating your client, no matther how short-term, minor he/she might be.
2022.02.24 –
As a problem solver, my goal is to save the problem, no matter how I feel.
I asked the bank if they can transfer my balance to a non-French SEPA account,
I also told them I was willing to provide my passport copy & termination statement via email AGAIN.
2022.02.25 –
The bank insisted I shall provide them a french account. SEPA (eg.Revolut) was not accepted.
Le septième mois ( Mars 2022)
2022.03.02 –
I added the one I thought is a management level of the bank into the mail loop.
In the mail, first I asked the bank to tell me the number of my account balance.
Second, I told that I still had no French account, but my acoount at home is capable of receiving euros.
Lastly, I expeted the bank’ opnions to my situation.
I NEED PROFESSIONAL HELP. HELP ME!
2022.03.16 –
Miracle ! The bank told me I would be able to log in the app again, and they sugguested me to do the international transfer on app BY MY SELF.
2022.03.18 –
Good things worth waiting for. I still could’t log in the app.
2022.03.28 –
No reply, I wrote again for help.
2022.03.29 –
The conseillere asked my address, so she could mail the code for me which could help me reconnect to the app.
Yes, paper mail from France!
Never expected I will receive any paper from the bank after I have backed to Asia.
2022.03.30 –
I replied my home address.
What I provided is the copy of my Household Registration transcript(英文戶籍謄本).
Le huitième mois (Avril, 2022)
(Let good thing cook for a while)
Le neuvième mois (Mai, 2022)
2022.05.03 –
I received the mail from the bank. (Long journey for the mail, glad you made it.)
On the same day, I logged in my bank app and trnasfer all my balance to my account at home.
For the “frais” column, I choose ” frais patager” (share).
It’s my first time made transfer to a neither french nor SEPA acoount from my french account.
2022.05.06 –
I told the bank I had empted my acount, and thanked them for letting me know when the account was closed.
p.s.我的轉入帳戶是一銀。因為多輸入了銀行代碼007，最後還跑了一趟分行簽名才成功入帳。
2022.05.10 –
The conseillere told me that my account had been closed!
7 months after I sent the documents needed for closing the account, this mission was finally completed.
Merci beaucoup.
★★★★★
Transfer costs:
Remitting Bank(SG): 9 euros
Intermediary Bank(Deutsche Bank): 8 euros
Beneficiary’s Bank (一銀): 6.44 euros
Total: 23.44 euros (it should depend on the amount you transfer)