Not being a financial whizz-kid myself, I would never presume
to recommend one bank over another here in Tenerife. I have had my
own experiences of course and have changed banks twice before now settling
happily with one which seems to appreciate my business.
It is true that for those of us who live here permanently it is
advisable to try and learn at least some Spanish. To be polite as
much as to be understood. Still it is interesting to see which banks
are actively encouraging business from 'Extrajaneros' by bothering
to have theirSpanish websites and marketing material available in
English and other languages. It is equally telling to see which have
not.
Many of the banks are offering online banking nowadays but for
those who do not have this facility or for clients who have no interest
in doing all their financial wheeling and dealings from home, it
is good to know exactly where in Tenerife you might find a branch
of your bank of choice.
So enjoy this little rundown on the websites of Spanish banks operating
in Tenerife. Where available the link go to the English versions
of the banks' websites. Let me know if you found it useful.
BANCO
BILBAO VIZCAYA (BBVA)
C/ Marina, 3
38002 Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Tel.: 922 600808/600906
Fax: 922 600821
You can't walk far in Tenerife without tripping over a BBVA. Looks
like a nice site, it even has a section for ‘Extrajeneros’.
What a pity they didn’t bother translating it.
BANCO CANARIAS DE
VENEZUELA
Plaza Alférez Provisional, s/n,
Edif. Tarajal, Locales 112-113
38002 Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Tel.: 922 247711/97
Fax: 922 247977
The website screws up a bit in Firefox and is in Spanish only.
BANCO
ESPAÑOL DE CRÉDITO (Banesto)
Plaza de la Candelaria, 9
38002 Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Tel.:922244533
The site does have English translation though not obviously. The
link above goes to the English version. There is a ‘seeker’ to
help you find your nearest Banesto bank in Tenerife though it is
a bit wonky in Firefox.
BANCO DE ESPAÑA
Viera y Clavijo, 37
Santa Cruz
38004, Tenerife
Tel: 922 28 4800
Excellent website with a lots of information on the Spanish
banking system in English. No branch locator that I could find.
BANCO
MARCH
La Marina, 15
38002 - Santa Cruz de Tenerife
TENERIFE
Telf.: 922-242620
Fax:922-288380
Nice website in English, German and Spanish. A nice touch is the page listng
local Banca
March branches in Tenerife.
BANCO
SANTANDER
C/ San Francisco, 1
38002 Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Tel.: 922 608100
Fax: 922 608230
Comments: Nice website, offering information in Spanish, English
and Portugues.
BANCO
POPULAR ESPAÑOL
C/ Bethencourt Alfonso, 16
3800 Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Tel.: 922 298060
An excellent site in English. Branch locator is straightforward.
BANKINTER
C/ Valentín Sanz, 16
38002 Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Tel.: 922 534900
Fax: 922 534909
Pared down versión of the site in English. They do have a
branch
locator and are actively persuing clients interested in internet
banking facilities.
BARCLAYS BANK
C/ Villalba Hervás, 2
38002 Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Tel.: 922 244639
Fax: 922 244642
An exceptionally clean site and as you would expect fully available
in English. Not only a Tenerife branch
locator but an ATM locator too. How cool is that?
CAJA GENERAL DE AHORROS DE CANARIAS
Plaza del Patriotismo nº1
38002 Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Tel.: 922 471000
Fax: 922 471105
Very popular bank with expat residents though I have to say that
my local branch is slow as molasses. Get a ticket and go for a coffee,
do your weekly shop and then come back and there may only be 4 or
5 people still ahead of you. Ahem… that said, nice website,
full English translation, branch
locator and useful guides for foreigners.
CAJA INSULAR DE AHORROS DE CANARIAS
Valentín Sanz, 23
38002 Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Tel.: 922 243 396
English site version,, social-charitable institution
run on a non-profit basis with its roots firmly entrenched in the
canary islands. No branch locator that I could find..
CAJA RURAL DE TENERIFE
Rambla Pulido, 24
38004 Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Tel.: 922 608400/02
Fax: 922 608413
The website is mostly in Spanish though as a client you have access
to an English version and control panel. There is a branch
locator.
DEUTSCHE BANK
C/ San Francisco, 2
38002 Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Tel.: 922 291381
As you would expect from such a huge group, the website is very
snappy. Unfortunately the website of DB in Spain has no English translation.
For more information about the group in English, visit the corporate
Deutsche Bank website.
LA CAIXA
Rambla 25 de Julio, 4
38004 Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Tel.: 922 282250/2150
Fax: 922 249167
I’ve always liked the happy logo of this bank. I suppose it
is really a palm tree but to me it looks like a demented starfish.
That aside its modern aspect carries through to their web marketing
with information provided in several languages including English,
French, Italian and Portugeuse and a big push on their Open Line
homebanking product.
SABADELLATLANTICO
C/ Marina, 17
38002 Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Tel.: 922 241686
Website in English including list of branches
in Tenerife.