HBOS subsidiary Banco Halifax Hispania has opened two new branches on the Costa del Sol in Sotogrande and Guadalmina, claiming that the expansion will enable it to serve the growing British expatriate market looking to buy a second home in Spain.
The Costa del Sol is the most popular area in Spain for British expatriates looking to buy property. Banco Halifax Hispania also has branches on the Costa del Sol in Malaga, Marbella, Benalmadena, Fuengirola and Torrox.
Banco Halifax Hispania said that all dealings with its customers can be carried out in English. In addition, there is also a UK-based specialist customer service team for customers who wish to open a Banco Halifax Hispania bank account or arrange their finance for a Spanish property before they leave the UK.
This also means that international telephone charges can be avoided and all paperwork, if preferred, can be handled in the UK.
Most Brits buying property in Spain demand similar products and services to those available in the UK, said Ian Smith, head of European operations at Halifax. The combination of a network of branches in Spain and a customer service team in the UK is best placed to provide the product range and standards of service expected by British customers.