Currency exchange

[AmandaJ]

XE is an option (it used to be HIFX)
Not sure what they require for you to sign up but they have a website and also (apparently) an app.
Quite easy to use.

[exile]

I suspect with the money laundering regs most companies will require similar hoops to be jumped through just to sign up.

If anyone finds differently then please let us all know - but I stress current rules and not how easy it was 5 or more years ago.

[ajm]

The old fashioned way, with our UK credit or debit card.

That's what we do but the French bank has all the standing orders for the utilities like electricity, Internet, etc. So if one of them closed the account they would effectively shoot themselves in the foot.
I would have thought that the only one who could close an account would be the bank themselves.

[Hotrodder]

I believe what the bank does is lock the account holder out, they don't close the account. Entities like EDF have in the past sucked accounts dry during a disputed (overcharge) leccy bill. They prevent the owner from logging in to empty the account first.

[MAD87]

I've recently arranged for both my UK and FR pensions to be paid into a separate FR bank account in my own name. OH continues to have his UK pension paid into the last UK bank standing (my Nationwide account). This is following several problems, such ass being unable to close a pro Crédit Ag account - it took 18 months and lots of threats, not to mention a mountain of documents proving our business had closed. During that time, GDF debited zillions for gas and electricity as they'd ignored all instructions to cancel the DD, notwithstanding several emailed apologies. Finally I threatened to go to the press, which seemed to do the trick.
Perhaps Madame Hotrodder could open a separate account? The only downside of course is extra bank charges.
As for Wise, I keep a few hundred with them, which I hope might stop them playing silly buggers.

[hughnique]

Exactly the same here with Wise, had to get a friend around with a smartphone, as I didn't have one at the time, sent off ID and not heard a word since, trouble is they are so good at giving a good rate and the transfer speed is exceptional

[Hotrodder]

MAD87 I can empathise with you. It only took me 6 months to rid myself of the virus that is Credit Agricole so I count myself lucky. Numerous face to face visits with English speaking counsellors promising it was all sorted. They still managed to hang on to my remaining balance for months after confirming all outstanding debits and loose ends were sorted.

[rabbit]

I gave up with wise some years ago and now use Revolut. I find it easy to use, reliable, cheap

But Revolut is 100% a mobile app .. so only on if you have good mobile reception and a smartphone.

Not so. It can be used via a pc app and you can access via wifi

[Hotrodder]

I have been trying to get on board with XE but after a few hours yesterday and three more this morning I am no nearer to a solution. It seems they let you get so far with registration: Name, birthdate, address, email address, phone number, estimate of how much I envisage to transfer in the year, etc. I have done all this hoping for the best. I even spent time with a live chat getting a few answers to specific questions. I then decided to do a test of the procedure sending £10 UK to France. I hit the Log in button and the first stage comes up with my username/email address already filled in. When I hit the "Continue" button it takes me to a long article explaining 2FA. Any button pushed from there takes me to FAQs or back to the starting point. In effect, an endless loop. Pension is paid in tomorrow and I really need to get at least some of it shunted across to France. I'm even ready to give them photos of my backside if they will accept them being sent my email. Borrowed smartphone will take a photo but no way to send it anywhere. I'm getting too old for all this stress.

[MAD87]

@Hotrodder If it's any consolation, I had to get one of my grandsons (aged 11) to do the ID gubbins with Wise. It ain't easy getting an acceptable photo, especially if you're one of the world's shakers!