Italian Bank Account

You don't say where you'll be in Italy, but many of the local banks, especially in the center and north, have at least one person who speaks English. You may find that the service your local bank can give you is better than what you would get with an impersonal, large bank - even if they have an English call center.Unicredit has been buying up regional banks at an alarming rate, and I've not heard great things about their customer service. I've been happy with Monte Paschi di Siena in three locations for a number of years. They (and I'm certain other banks as well) offer an online-only account for a very good rate.Many of my US/UK clients have gone with the online bank Fineco (owned by Unicredit) and are very happy. I believe they also have help in English.Good luck!

We have also been with the Monte Paschi di Siena Group through our local Banca Toscana for the past 2 1/2 years and we are very happy with them. If we have any problems with a payment, we call them from overseas and they fix it. We also use their online services.  

 Don't forget to look at the post office bank account - low costs and lots of outlets!

I think a local Italian bank is a good idea, ours has been very helpful to us ,especially in the early days when we needed to set up standing orders, and it is still possible to get the personal service that has been lost in the UK when you actually knew your bank manager and the staff. Our bank is run totally by very glamorous and effecient Italian women, and is very popular.!A 

We too are very pleased with our Italian Bank.  When we first arrived in Cagliari (on our boat), we opend an account with Banca Intesa in Cagliari.  We were lucky enough to find an extremely helpful lady called Francesca Moni (would you believe that?).  Unfortunately she moved.  I agree that the main banks can be impersonal.  Anyway........when we bought our house and moved off the boat, we moved to our local town Pula.  It's very small and in the summer its heaving with visitors, but the staff speak a smattering of English and are very helpful.  So...........after all that, I'd say wait until you get to Italy before you choose. 

Thanks again for all of your great suggestions - looks like the best bet is to wait until we arrive in Italy. I have been checking out the Monte Paschi website and fired off a note to them which they responded to very quickly - they have a branch in Ricadi so likely that we will be checking them out. Never heard back from Barclays (sorry Brian) so unlikely we will be taking that route now.  Thanks again folks

I use the BNL, they all know me in there and I never have to produce ID. They sorted out my credit card application there and then. Yes, for me the Italian banking system is ahead of the UK. Bank Managers! They exist here!This post is actually from DavidUno NOT Moxie

Monte Paschi is the oldest bank in the world, it was founded in 1472. If they have lasted this long, they must be doing the right thing. This is what we thought and we haven't been disappointed  Not as yet, at least.