Banks competing for ex-pat money

A couple of years ago my Bank was taken over by La Caixa.  To be honest, this was one of the easiest changes I have had to deal with in Spain and therefore, in this regard I was lucky.  Especially as the previous bank took 6 months to assess a loan application I had made, to finally arrive at a negative answer. By the time I’d got that answer I’d already made 5 repayments to an obliging bank.  ‘Opeless.

We have seen many banks be swallowed up here in Spain since the crisis and I will remind you, the Spanish banking industry was seen as a fine example at the beginning of the crisis in 2008, because its purposeful structure should have prevented contagion (spreading or transfer of problems of a systemic nature).  Instead, individual institutions took the risk rather than having it spread throughout the industry and that is why some 7 years later we are still seeing takeovers of failed banking businesses. Time has dictated that maybe it wasn’t such a shining light.

Relocating to a new place can be an exciting time. Experiencing different environments is usually a good thing, and moving abroad can open up many opportunities, such as the chance to learn a new language and experience a different culture first hand. Whether you’ve relocated in retirement, because of work, or to be with a partner, the expat life can certainly be a fascinating one.

However, once you have your accommodation and finances sorted out, the absence of friends, family and UK home comforts can begin to take its toll. Homesickness can be hard to shake.

If, as an expat, you are feeling low, there are several things you can do to help make yourself feel at home no matter where in the world you find yourself.