Job Discussion Forums

kiteflyer · Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Posts: 8

Can we send money to the USA via online banking at a Japanese bank?

What are the costs? And how do I sign up for it at the bank?

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

The topic of sending money home comes up a lot, so scroll down and look at any thread with a title like "sending money home". The consensus seems to be that the GoLloyds overseas remittance service is one of the best options.

www.golloyds.com

kiteflyer · Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Posts: 8

Thanks.
I know about Lloyds.

However, there is a difference between an overseas wire transfer at the bank and doing it oneself, in the privacy of one's home, via online banking.
That is what I am asking about.

The fees are significantly different. By scheduling through Lloyds, it makes sense, although it appears to costs more in fees.

An online transfer generally costs about $8-10 USD in Korea. $32 USD in Korea if one "wire transfers it" via the bank instead of going online and doing it oneself.

That's all...

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Lloyds is popular because there is no online banking option (that I am aware of). With Lloyds you use the ATM, so it is pretty painless. A transfer through other banks in Japan usually costs around �5,000 or more and takes a lot of time and paperwork, so I doubt a convenient online option has sprung up any time in the last few years.

Yawarakaijin · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Middle of Nagano

Check out Shinsei bank. They gave me a little bit of a hassle in regards to my gaijin card but I'm with them now and having no problems. You can do all your banking online or over the phone. It depends which kind of account you have but I think the very basic one allows you one free money transfer to any overseas bank you wish per month.

JL · Joined: 26 Oct 2008 Posts: 241 Location: Las Vegas, NV USA

This may have changed (it's been four years since we've done it) but Citibank in Japan used to allow just what you're hoping to do. Online, we have wired money from my wife's Japanese Citibank account into my Wells Fargo Account, here stateside. The Misses doesn't remember the fees anymore, but it most likely cost more than using Lloyd's. But if it's convenience you want...
However, there is a very good chance that Citibank will now be closing down its foreign operations. So their presence in Japan (or even the US!) might not be long-lived.

I also am 90% sure that MUFG has this function for account holders. I'd check with them first.

chinagirl · Joined: 27 May 2003 Posts: 235 Location: United States

If you have a Shinsei account and a GoLloyds account, you can use both together.

Just transfer money to into your GoLloyds account using Shinsei online banking and GoLloyds will send it to the overseas bank of your choice.

I do this frequently and it is painless. Both accounts can be set up by mail. Shinsei has walk-in branches as well.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Ah, that's true- Shinsei online banking and GoLloyds combination- I must change the account I use for GoLloyds to my Shinsei account so I can do that too.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

This is in the FAQs (although I don't think it has been updated with Shinsei bank info).

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

G Cthulhu · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 8:09 pm Post subject:

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I know, but I'd rather switch Lloyds over to my Shinsei account than set up online banking with my other account.