Korean Job Discussion Forums

[JennyJJ]

My university will not pay me my summer vacation in advance, but will continue to deposit my salary on regular paydays in the bank of my choice.

So, which Korean banks have ATM cards with which I can access my account from outside Korea? I have heard numerous stories of banks that SAY they can, but can't. Have also read elsewhere that KukMin Bank's card does work outside the country?

Can those with experience (rather than just opinions) clue me on which bank to use? I hope to just travel but will need the dependable infusion of funds.

Thanks!

Jenny

[Cabbit]

Kookmin bank

My parents came for a holiday and got a kookmin atm card.
I have been depositing money in it here in Korea, and they have been taking in out in Australia (even used it in Bali). I think you can take out 1000aud a day for 12 days too.

Hope that helped

Cabbit

[rudyflyer]

CHB also works just ask them for a foreign ATM card their regular one will not cut it, did in Bali and in the US. Just remember they work during Korean ATM hours ie 5PM-7AM US CST

[bucheon bum]

I used a Kookmin ATM card in S.east asia and the USA, never had any problems except for one time in Malaysia.

[JennyJJ]

Okay, I'll give KukMin a shot. Sounds like they have the highest success rate. Might try CHB too though as they have a branch on campus.
Will report back if they work or not.

Thanks all - any additional experiences on this topic - greatfully appreciated!

[The Lemon]

Bad news about Kookmin: The old green cards from last year work abroad. But the new, grey, "KB" cards (post-merger) don't seem to work outside the country. I couldn't get anything out of them last month in Singapore, Thailand or Malaysia, but had no problems with the old card in Canada last year.

It might work for you, but take a back-up.

[JennyJJ]

Okay, back to CHB! Plan B? Anyway, they are on campus. Will post a follow up after vacation.

Thanks!

[gypsyfish]

Make sure they know that you want one that works ouside of Korea. The first one they gave me was Korea only.

And remember that the card only works during Korea banking hours, so no Saturday or Sunday use.

[JennyJJ]

Gypsyfish, can I assume by your comments that you have a CHB card?
Great to know - if I understand correctly. Just waiting for next pay day to start up my account.
Thanks!
Jenny

[gypsyfish]

Yes, I have an account at CHB. Don't let them tell you that they don't have international cards. When I said I wanted one, the clerk didn't know that they issued them and had to ask her boss. If I hadn't been told that they had international cards, I might not have perservered.

Enjoy the new card.

[denz]

cabbit,

that's a genius move on how to send money home to oz. now you've got me thinking.

mwooharhar

denz

[gajackson1]

Kookmin stuff -

I have the new brown/grey card, and I used it multiple times in Texas, HK, etc. over this last Xmas/NYEve winter break. Same story, you just need to get the International edition, and use it during Korean banking hours.

You can get a second card for just 2,ooo won more (or have another one issued). And yes, you can do that at any time (and it is a very good way to arrange money extracts from your Korean bank!)

G.

[JennyJJ]

After opening a CHB account and going to their main branch to get their "internatinal ATM" card the people there said "impossible!" - so went down the street to KB (Kook Min Bank) and they had me in and out in less than 15 minutes with an international card that had "international" written on it and a label for the Maestro system - which I think I have seen around. This card is the brown and grey "debit" card.

I think this is exactly what I want - is this the card people have had good experiences with?

Thanks again!

[gajackson1]

Yep, that's the one -

Brown top, grey/off-white bottom. Maestro & Debit Card symbols on front. Cirrus symbol on back.



G.

[JennyJJ]

Thanks, that's exactly the card I got. Looking forward to trying it.

Thank you everyone for the quidance.

Jenny