SETTLING IN - CultureShock! A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette - page 145

Ask how long it takes to have access to transferred funds.
(If your home bank is affiliated with one in France, transfers
of funds from one to the other may be somewhat more
efficient, although this isn't always the case.) All banks
these days have Internet access for viewing accounts on
line. Inquire, too, about the conditions for their carte bleue ,
the Visa debit card. If you are considering investing through
the bank, ask about their pricing policies. There should be
written information on the bank's services.
Convenience of location and opening days and hours might
factor into your decision. Banks are generally open from 9:00
am to 5:00 pm, weekends and holidays excepted. Some banks
are open on Saturday mornings. If a national holiday falls on a
Tuesday or Thursday, banks may faire le pont to bridge the long
weekend, closing on the previous Monday or following Friday,
to give the employees a four-day weekend. Small neighourhood
branches may offer more personal service after the staff gets
to know you. Otherwise, banking in Paris can be extremely
impersonal. Do not ever expect special treatment.
Current accounts may pay interest, and some banks may
automatically sweep funds above a certain level into interest-
bearing accounts. Interest earned is taxable, so make sure you
take into account in which country your taxes will be paid.
Each bank has its own specific guidelines and
documentation needed to open a compte courant (current
account), although there are some general guidelines: when
you go to open your account, bring your passport, your carte
de séjour (either affixed in the passport or a plastic card) and
proof of your domicile, such as your lease or a gas/electric
bill in your name. This may not be easy, for without a bank
account it's sometimes hard to obtain a lease, and without
a lease it's hard to get a bank account. Proof of employment
generally suffices, but a letter of reference from a home bank
may also be helpful.
Most banks open non-resident accounts. A few will require
a hefty initial deposit, especially if there is no direct deposit
of a salary cheque.
Opening an account is not immediate. Most often you must
make an appointment just to see an account representative.