banking: france & switzerland
Banking in Switzerland
Banks operate from Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 16.30. You can find some helpful general advice for opening an account in Switzerland here. Opening an Account at UBS CERN has a special banking arrangement with UBS. There are onsite branches near Restaurants 1 and 2. You need to show your contract to set up a new account. You will need a "salary account" to receive your salary payments, expense reimbursements (non-relocation), the monthly COLA, and CERN health insurance reimbursements which will be made directly to your bank account. Check with your home institution to arrange for all or part of your paycheck to be deposited here. Debit Cards Checks are not commonly used in Switzerland – instead you can apply for a debit card called an EC Direct - Maestro card. With this you can make payments at most stores worldwide, withdraw cash from the Bancomats (ATMs) in Switzerland as well as buy bus tickets and pay (some) parking meters. It's an easy way to keep track of your expenses as the purchases appear on your monthly bank statement in detail. E-banking Is so convenient, safe and easy to use from any computer. You can sign up online at UBS, stop by the teller, or call +41 22 783 2174. Paying Bills Bills have to be settled, generally, within 30 days. You can pay them with cash at any Post Office, at your bank using the Multimat with a "Bulletin de Versement" (pink form attached to bills), or by Internet through e-banking. There are several security steps in the process, but it is quick and easy to sign up. Travelers' Checks You can buy them in the main building at the Post Office, and Carlson Wagonlit, the travel agent near UBS. Transferring money This guide tells you how to make international money transfers online, inexpensively or for free. Once you have a bank account here, you can transfer money by e-banking, withdraw from an ATM and deposit cash directly, or via AMFIE. |
Banking in France
Banks are generally open from Tuesday to Friday, 8:30am to 12:30am and 2:30pm to 5:30pm. Some are open Saturday mornings. Opening an Account EU citizens have an easier time opening an account. At most banks foreigners cannot open an account until you have lived in France for 90 days. We have heard of people finding ways around this - one couple's landlord vouched for them. French banks will ask for proof of residence – a paid utility bill works best. We've had good results with:
Société Générale, La Poste and the Caisse d'Épargne. Paying Bills You can pay with cash at the post office for a fee (eg, 9 EUR to pay an Orange Internet bill), send a check from your French bank account, or set up automatic payments at your bank - even with your landlord. Most utilities will want a RIB number to set up automatic payments, so ask for a number of extra copies of the RIB sheet from your bank. Travelers' Checks La Poste and Western Union in Ferney-Voltaire cash them without a fee. La Poste at Thoiry and St. Genis do charge, in spite of the stickers in the window saying they do not. Transferring money This guide tells you how to make international money transfers online, inexpensively or for free. Once you have a bank account here, you can transfer money by e-banking, withdraw from an ATM and deposit cash directly, or via AMFIE. |
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