US Banks that DON'T charge the 3.5%

bob777 says on Oct 17, 2005, 15:52:

I am not sure where you are at, but if you can find a Commerce Bank, they dont charge for ATM withdrawls. I am in Florida now, but I kept my Commerce bank accout from Philadelphia Area, because I can use the ATM's in Colombia and they dont charge for change in currency or for it being a international transaction.

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Rubiazo says on Oct 17, 2005, 16:06:

I'm in NYC I don't think we have Commerce Bank here but I will check.
Maybe one of those internet-based banks would be a good deal too. Anybody have any info on those?

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flaleo says on Oct 17, 2005, 16:33:

I've never heard of a 3.5% fee - can't help there. I've heard of two fees (for ATMs):

1. 1% fee that Visa International charges - they own the Plus (and maybe other) network.

2. Some banks charge a per withdrawl fee. For example, BofA charge $5 to non-Advantage accounts. Provident charges $1 or $2 per after four free per month.

To avoid all fees (I never pay any fees for ATMs in foreign countries - not a penny) I have had to supplement my BofA with status and/or an account at another bank that gives me free foreign ATM usage.

There are plenty of banks that have no charge for using an ATM out of the country. Just pick one that isn't on Plus network (for example, go with Sirrus) to avoid the 1% fee.

I love ACH:)

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expatriate says on Oct 17, 2005, 17:17:

No ATM fee I was able to open an account with Affinity Bank, as a U.S. citizen, by mail. There is no ATM fee, however the debit card only works at certain Colombian banks, such as Davivienda and Servibanc.

https://www.affinitybank.com/index.asp

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Colombian Services says on Oct 17, 2005, 17:57:

No ATM Fees & no problem at most banks I've never been hit with a 3.5% charge using CitiBank.

BUT, the best thing I've found is e Trade Bank. NO Atm fees, good in most banks in Colombia and works great, has online banking, both debit & credit cards, and if you have other on line bank accounts you can transfer to or from e Trade.

https://us.etrade.com/e/t/home

Best Wishes,
Bob

*********************
Miami Phone: 1-305-433-2299
Colombian Services Group:
www.Colombian-Services.com
www.FlowersToColombia.com
www.BogotaColombiaLodging.com
www.ColombiaFianceVisaService.com
www.GoLatinNow.com

Bob - www.BogotaColombiaLodging.com - www.FlowersToColombia.com - www.Colombian-Services.com

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Mr. Hollywood says on Oct 17, 2005, 18:13:

Question Rubiazo, did Citibank charge you a fee at Citibank Colombia ATMs, too?

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caslug says on Oct 17, 2005, 18:39:

I didn't get charge fr Citibank.. i always take 300k peso out at the citibank atm and we i looked at my statement on returning to US, its said $131.50. no additional charge. BUT when i was in lima, they freaking charge my 3.50/transaction IN A CITIBANK ATM. THEY said that it wasn't, but it was INSIDE the freaking bank! But in COL i never got charged.

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Colombian Services says on Oct 17, 2005, 18:47:

CitiBank fees Mr. Hollywood,

I was charged a fee once when using CitiBank in Bogota, I was reinbursed when I explained to my Miami branch it was a Citibank in Bogota.

But rather than take a 20 min. taxi ride to and from CitiBank I just walked across the street and paid the fee, it was just quicker and less time consuming.

I did have a problem once trying to cash CitiBank travelers checks here once at a Citibank. Long story, but what a pain! It took a period of three months to cash several thousand dollars worth.
Even though they are under written by American Express (says so on the checks) no one else would cash them. Regular AE travelers checks are the only way to go if that's what someone is traveling with travelers checks.

Best Wishes,
Bob

*********************
Miami Phone: 1-305-433-2299
Colombian Services Group:
www.Colombian-Services.com
www.FlowersToColombia.com
www.BogotaColombiaLodging.com
www.ColombiaFianceVisaService.com
www.GoLatinNow.com

Bob - www.BogotaColombiaLodging.com - www.FlowersToColombia.com - www.Colombian-Services.com

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Gator says on Oct 17, 2005, 19:25:

Don't Be Confused. Generally speaking you will not be charged a fee to use an ATM, with a debit card. BUT you WILL get the 3/3.5 percent charge for using you credit card to make routine purchases. NEVER MAKE A CASH ADVANCE AT AN ATM. CHARGES WOULD MAKE THE MAFIA BLUSH.

Check with your bank before you go. All I can say is I have never been assessed a charge by either bank when using my debit card.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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Mr. Hollywood says on Oct 17, 2005, 19:36:

Credit card That charge varies widely based on the card issuer. Both Visa and Mastercard charge a 1% foreign currency fee, so there's no getting around that, but some of the issuing banks often ad another 2 to 2.5 percent. Check your fine print in your credit card agreement before racking up hefty fees.

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Gator says on Oct 17, 2005, 19:43:

You Can't, As Mr. H Said... avoid the 1% conversion fee. Again check before you travel.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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tomtom33 says on Oct 18, 2005, 09:00:

Try a credit union. My account at the University of Wisconsin Credit Union charges no ATM fees. Since credit unions pay no property taxes, they don't need to gouge you as deeply as commercial banks.

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Rubiazo says on Oct 18, 2005, 09:03:

THX for the good advice. For the record I was referring to bank accounts and not credit cards. Taking cash out of a credit card is only to prevent dying or starving, otherwise it's not a good idea!

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Scott says on Oct 18, 2005, 14:19:

Check out ETrade at ETrade.com. Free ATM use worldwide.

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