Montepio 

I’ve been a customer of Montepio for 17 years and I highly suggest you don’t waste your time and money with this bank. Every time I try to make an online purchase with my debit card, they block my account. I’ve been on the phone with them for 5 hours today and they blame SIBS that they blocked my card. SIBS told me today that it’s actually Montepio who blocked my payment and SIBS has no control over payments. This happens every time I use my debit card. I have plenty of money in my account but they don’t let me use my own money! I also have a credit card but it’s limited to 1500 and I’m trying to buy a new MacBook Pro that’s considerably more expensive. I’m tired of not being able to use my money as I want to. And don’t get me started on how bad their app APProva is. Absolutely ridiculous service.

I’m going to search for a better bank and preferably one that is not as ignorant as Montepio.

Some of the tellers are kind and helpful, others are extremely rude regardless of how polite and friendly you are. More importantly they do not comply with federal law regarding the decree issued to extend residency permits until June 30, 2025 which was made because of the inability to get an appointment or renew online with AIMA. My multibanco card, and therefore my MBWay which I need for my business, stopped working. They refused to issue me a new MB card because my residency card is expired despite being required by law to abide by the decree. I then had to ask for the complaint book six times before they finally gave it to me, with the manager saying “Go ahead and file a complaint, but it won’t change anything.”

Worst banking experience DO NOT RECOMMEND!
I have been a client since I was born, because my parents were clients too. I had a housing loan with them and after 4 years asked to review the conditions. Their proposal was not competitive at all compared to other banks and they showed no interest in keeping me as a client. After that I changed my loan and decided to close my account with them. Since then there is always something on their side that was not communicated im advance and that impedes me to close the account. Every time I need some updates the emails are never answered and no calls, and so I have to go to the bank. Overall I feel the service on the bank lacks professionalism and very desprganised, the employees never fully disclose everything and it’s up to you to ask the question and not to them to let you know. As an example, when trying to close the account they suddenly saw that one of the insurances on the housing was not cancelled (they were as surprised as me), and that was up to me to tell them that I wanted to, even though I said I wanted to move everything related to the loan to another bank and close the account. They went as far to tell me that if I tried to make a complain, it would have no effect because the client has to tell them and the bank does not have to alert the client…This is just one of the episodes of so many of them. On top of all this, they always want to sell you their products disregarding your need. My bank sucursal is in Campo de Ourique.

Been scammed in thousands of euros back in May due to the lack of security procedures in their internet banking.
Still waiting for the result of the fraud process, which is taking ages. Their support is below zero.
There are way better options on the portuguese market.

customer service by phone:
Cons:
-wait time, poor phone service, starting with the robo, ineffective voice recognition, lack of English language, or any other than Portuguese, ending with problem-solving by operators.
-Web interface is way overcomplicated, no other languages option. Try, for example, to find a way to see the history of transactions. Not easy, not intuitive. There is a button on the top right, but it doesn’t reflect incoming, outcoming(credit,debit) transactions, I guess its only outcoming transactions shown.
And when you find the history and want to download it, let's say, of a last year, prepare to pay 1euro. from when it costs anything?
-When you visit in person, there is an element of luck. If you are lucky, a bank worker will solve your problems quickly and smoothly, otherwise it's a pain and drag. At least, I've got lucky with a bank employee. Hurray!
What I expect from the bank is smooth, smart website, mobile application, where you can find anything with ease and download it for free, as well as keeping everything else free for everyday banking. We already trust you our money, mainly interest free, and help you increase your credit amount level, isn't it enough?

Be careful with this Bank !!!!!
I opened a business account it’s now 10 months, I did only 1 transaction and after this the bank block my account with 24400€ without to give any explication since today .
They don’t answer to my email.
I honestly think that it’s a SCAM !!!
I took a lawyer and we will go to the court to get back my money and ask some compensation.
Really stay far away from this bank !!!!

This bank charged me a hidden commission of three times the amount I transferred internationally and refused to reverse it, 2 minutes after the transfer.
Details.
I recently made an international money transfer with Montepio bank for 10 pounds. I was not shown the amount that full amount that I will be charged until after I pressed 'continue' to accept the transfer (I have screenshots of each screen to prove it). The amount of the hidden commission fee that was revealed to me after the transfer was done was 30 euros. The screen that contained a message about my request being successful was the FIRST time I saw the commission fees of 30 euros (3 times the amount I transferred). I then immediately contacted the bank by phone to ask them to reverse this charge because I did not agree to the hidden commission fee. The customer service agent was confused by my statement and proceeded to repeatedly try to tell me that I 'just told him' that I saw the 30 euro charge and agreed to it. I denied it every time, and informed him that I have screenshots of each step I took online.
He told me that I can request to cancel this transfer but that it will cost me 25 euros, and that I can try to apply to have it refunded after I place this request (not before). I objected to being charged extra 25 euros (for a total of 55 euros, for a 10 pound international transfer). He said that it was not possible to apply to have the fee removed before I proceed.
I then asked to, instead, make a complaint about the Montepio bank's process (hidden fees) and was put on hold. After the agent returned, he attempted to start the 25-euro transfer cancellation, which I said I do not wish to do. I again asked for his help in making a complaint about Montepio's lack of transparency in fees. It was not easy to convince him.
At one point the agent was being passive-aggressive and said that 'He will start to speak Portuguese to me now' and did that some minutes later, despite me telling him, as he was doing it, that I do not speak Portuguese.
At that time I told him that this conversation is being recorded and that I'll be making a formal complaint about the bank.
He then completed my complaint and read it back to me, and said that I will hear back by phone in maximum 3 days.
Given the attitude of the clerk, I am also seeking the assistance of a lawyer.
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Update: The bank clerk called to say that the transfer was canceled along with all fees charged. He said he will check to see if he sees all the necessary fees during the transfer process I described.

It was the closest bank to our place in Portugal. Bank branch experience is nice, the staff did not speak sufficient English but asked for a manager who did. Service was all fine if a little slow (even for Portugal). Their e-banking is way outdated.