Moving House, Moving Banks: Understanding Regional Structures in French Banking

When you move house in France, don’t forget—your bank account might need to move too! 🏡💳

Some banks, like Crédit Agricole, are structured regionally. That means each area has its own branch network, and your account is tied to the region where you opened it. If you relocate to a different part of France, you may need to transfer your account to the local branch in your new area.

Here’s a quick overview of how French banks are organized:

• National banks operate across the country but aren’t always split into regional entities.

• Mutual banks (like Crédit Agricole or Banque Populaire) are often made up of regional branches, each part of a larger mutual group.

• Banking groups such as CIC consist of several regional banks, each covering a specific territory (e.g., CIC Île-de-France, CIC Nord Ouest).

So, when you move, it’s worth checking whether your bank is regional—just to avoid surprises and keep your finances running smoothly!