Korean Job Discussion Forums

[espo]

anybody know if you can use, have an account with KB star and would like to withdraw from it when Im away...

[ttompatz]

[mrsquirrel]

The misuss's card worked once then half worked the next time and then never again.

[Bibbitybop]

I use Hana bank and received an "international" card that only worked with banks that do business in Korea (HSBC, citibank).

I had to specifically ask for an ATM card that works globally, and got one. Thailand was no problem.

[spliff]

I got a KB international debit card w/ Cerrius and Mastro logos on it and it works fine in Thailand...decent exchange rates as well..

[Atavistic]

[relaxed111]

Have traveled to Thailand at least 4 trips with a international debit card from IBK. It worked fine until the last trip. About half way through the magnetic strip stopped working. And, the bank would not issue me a new card unless I was back in Korea. Their website only had phone numbers to call no emails, but somehow the numbers never work. Also I have a visa credit from IBK, but it would only let me make purchases, no cash advance, or debt withdrawals as it will do here in Korea.

Just to make it more fun when I cut my trip in half to return they still would not issue me another card unless I had my bank book which was in storage until I had it sent to me at my new address. Oh they did say that they were sorry (once).

As for KB I started a new account with them today with a new job, and have also received an international debt card from them. They are willing to issue me a credit card after 6 months and a minimum of 2,000,000 won in my account.

I want the two international debt cards to cut down future problems. Has anyone used these cards back in Canada/US or Europe as I am thinking of other travel coming up in the future.

Good luck to all.

[relaxed111]

Big change at IBK, they will not issue me with a new international debt card. Claim that the Korean Government has told all the banks to not issue foreigners with these cards in the middle of July this year. To many bad foreigners they said. Leaving, and then taking their money with them from another country.

I have a simple question here. If the money in the bank account is mine, and the bank card will not let me take out more money than I have in my account. How the hell, am I cheating the Korean bank?

When I told them that I had a new bank account at KB three weeks before, response was I was mistaken and must have gotten the card before July 15th. Told me this twice, then I showed them my new card with its date...no answer.

I think that it really depends on how each individual bank manager runs his bank. I would suggest you ask other teachers where they are banking, and what support the bank will give you.

[whatever]

Thanks all for the heads up. What you've posted has pretty much confirmed what I'd already suspected from all the previous talk in other forums about 'international' ATM cards and access for foreigners. I won't be taking any chances with that!


Another question: Do you advise changing money from won-->baht...and when returning baht-->won...in Korea or Thailand. (And might I ask, why?) Thanks!

[oxfordstu]

Do not change won to baht. I changed won to baht at the airport and got 56,000 baht. I checked the exchange rate and I should have gotten 63,000 baht.

I have an international debit card from Nonghyup bank. It worked in Thailand last July, so I'll be using that. If I didn't have it I would buy dollars here and then exchange them into baht in Thailand. I've HEARD that you'll get a better rate that way.

[mrsquirrel]

^ THe missus took her virgin Nonghyup card to Thailand when she last went back. She got to use it once before it stopped working.

i checked her bank book for her and it showed the money going out then back in.

Don't count on it working.

[Bibbitybop]

[whatever]

[oxfordstu]

[lawyertood]

Shinhan Bank has been good to me. Got my internationol ATM card a few years back though. They also have traveler's cheques at my branch.