BANKING

It is possible for a minor (student under the age of 18) to open a bank account if their parent or legal guardian is with them during the process.

Both the student and the parent / legal guardian will need to be present at the bank and provide certain documentation for an account to be opened. Below is list of documents that have been required in the past. Please check with the bank itself as well. 

• Copy of passport (parent/guardian and student)

• Copy of student's visa or carte de séjour 

• Certificate of enrollment from Parsons Paris IN FRENCH

• Proof of housing for the student in France

In France, you are linked directly to the specific bank branch address where you open your account. While you can use any ATM or bank branch for certain operations, like withdrawing cash, other operations require you to work direclty with the bank branch and agent responsible for your account. We recommend that students decide if they prefer their bank branch to be either close to where they live or close to the St. Roch or Romainville campuses.

This is a list of general documents most students must present in order to open a bank account in France. Please note the differences if you are European citizen or a non-European citizen. You may be required to present further documentation depending on the bank.

• Copy of your passport (both European and non-European students)

• Copy of your French student visa or carte de séjour (if you are non-European)

• Copy of your visa validation document (if you a non-European) issued by OFII (Office of French Emigration and Integration). Check out the IMMIGRATION tab above if you are unsure what this document is.

• Certificate of enrollment from Parsons Paris IN FRENCH (both European and non-European students) - request this document on the FORMS & CERTIFICATES tab above. Certificate of enrollment in French is a 'certificat de scolarité'.

• Proof of housing in France (both European and non-European students)

  • If the lease is in your name provide a copy of your lease (if it was signed within the last 3 months), or a gas / electricity bill in your name (must be dated within 3 months), or copies of your 3 most recent rent receipts (quittance de loyer in French ; must be dated within 3 months)

  • If the lease isn’t in your name provide a letter from your landlord in french (attestation d’hébergement in French) a copy of the landlord's identity card or passport, and their latest electricity or gas bill (dated within three months).

  • If you live in API housing contact studentlifeparis@newschool.edu and request a proof of housing certificate.

There are many choices for banks in France, but we encourage students to choose to work with the bank branches with whom we've established a relationship and who know our students well. Find below our recommendations. Please understand that we have a relationship with these 2 banks at these exact branch addresses. 

In France, you are linked directly to the specific bank branch address where you open your account. While you can use any ATM or bank branch for certain operations, like withdrawing cash, other operations require you to work direclty with the bank branch and agent responsible for your account. We recommend that students decide if they prefer their bank branch to be either close to where they live or close to the St. Roch or Romainville campuses.

Please use the email provided to contact the bank agent. In your email indicate that you are a Parsons Paris student and request to schedule an in-person appointment. You will need to bring certain required documents. Please see the list given above, as well as any guidance given by the bank agent.

CAISSE D’EPARGNE: Agence Paris Louvre 

19 rue du Louvre, 75001 Paris

Monsieur Yassine BEN MA

yassine.ben-ma@ceidf.caisse-epargne.fr

SOCIÉTÉ GÉNÉRALE: Agence Saint-Honoré

219 rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris

Contact:  Monsieur Fabrice Michel

Fabrice.Michel@socgen.com 

If you decide to leave France after your studies you should close your French bank account. If you think you may stay or return to France you should speak with your bank about how your charges will change once you are no longer a student. It is harder to open a French bank account when you are not a student so it's not a bad idea to keep it open if you plan to stay / plan to return to France in the near future.

HOW TO CLOSE YOUR FRENCH BANK ACCOUNT?

• You first need to empty your bank account either by transferring your money to another bank account or withdrawing your money at an ATM.

  • • Please note, that you cannot close your account if there is an overdraft. An overdraft is when you have withdrawn more money than is actually in your account.

• Then you need to fill out and sign a short letter telling the bank you want to close your account. Inquire with your bank about their procedure for closing an account. You will need the name of your bank agent and the address of your bank branch for this letter. Please click here to access a template of this letter.

  • • Some banks allow you to email them the letter to close an account.

    • Some permit you to print and mail the template -- inquire with your bank where you should mail the letter. Make sure to mail the letter 'lettre récommandée suivi' so you have proof you sent the letter in case there is any follow-up.

    • Some banks require you to go in person with the letter. 

    • If you do this procedure by email you should receive a confirmation email within 7 days. If you don’t, you need to go to your branch and see them in person.