How can a retired US citizen obtain a bank account in Spain?

In order to pay certain expenses related to my Spanish condo, etc. bank account information is being required by the providers. I have visited local banks ING and Santander but they say that a US citizen cannot open an account at their bank without obtaining "complex" paperwork from a US Consulate. I do have an NIE but my primary residence, where I receive my pension is in the US.
Any suggestions and/or recommended banks where there would not be a lot of red tape to set up a small ordinary account?