Dismay at death charges from French banks

To the Editor,

I am an Australian married to a French wife and living in Brittany. 

I am staggered by some of the things that we are charged for in France, especially by the banks, and your recent article ‘New limits to death charges on accounts’ added to my indignation. 

An average cost of €193 to close an account? It seems that when the banks talk to their customers about fidelity it is all one way. 

The banks make good money – just look at their profits – by paying insignificant rates of interest in this country. Then, after possibly a lifetime of “fidelity” to the bank, the family is rewarded with a charge for closing the account? Unbelievable!

Surely the simplest way to avoid the charge is to withdraw the balance and leave the account inactive. Eventually the bank will get the message and close the account of its own volition, I suspect.

By the way, I was recently charged €15 for a new bank card. In Australia they are generally free.

J.C., by email

Have you encountered any unfair bank charges in France? Let us know at letters@connexionfrance.com