Job Discussion Forums

brettb · Joined: 02 Jul 2010 Posts: 22 Location: Canada (Currently)

Hi there,

How difficult is it to get set up with banking in Taiwan?

I'm coming out in 4 weeks and want to make sure I have everything I need ready to go.

Also, are there any western banks that operate in Taiwan? It has been suggested to me that HSBC and Scotiabank operate in Taiwan but I have found some conflicting information.

Any advice is much appreciated!!

dangerousapple · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 292

You won't be able to get a bank account until after you get your ARC. Your school will most likely dictate which bank account you get, as they'll want to do a direct deposit of your salary.

HSBC Taiwan is locally owned. I've had issues with them. My bank of choice is E.Sun. Not particularly English friendly, but their customer service is decent enough. Not like those cowboys down at the Bank of Kaohsiung...

Pretty much any bank can do wire transfers, if you need to send money back home.

yamahuh · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 1033 Location: Karaoke Hell

I second your E-Sun recommendation. Very good customer service whereas the bank I am forced to use by my employer (Standard Chartered) is a joke - it took me over 90 minutes to open an account. I had to provide ARC, name chop and passport while the idiotic clerk tittered and spoke to her girlfriends in Elementary school English - "Hello. How are you?" What is your name?" I'm fine thank you" Hee Hee Hee - if I hadn't been with my wife (who was urging restraint as I fumed and glared at this rude and imbecilic woman-child with zero professionalism) I would have sworn at her in Pidgin Chinese, snatched back my documents and left.

I use E-Sun exclusively for my savings account, their International Wire Transfer fees + international access debit card. Direct deposit goes into one bank and from there I transfer my monthly savings amount into E-Sun where it sits until I send it home or spend it on a trip.