Korean Job Discussion Forums

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

Woori Bank just sucks.

I've told the story about how the local branch here called my school to "alert" them that I was wiring out a large chunk of cash, then proceeded to tell me, "The next time you try this, it will be very difficult" as if I were some sort of criminal. Then there were the quotes of "this law" that makes it so foreigners can't send more than 10,000,000 won out of the country, followed by the "we won't issue foreigners ATM cards that work internationally, because there is now a law against it."

There is no law, and this has been printed in papers, as well as on Arrirang TV -- the head of the Korean banking industry flat-out denied any such "law."

So this appears to be Woori Bank policy.

I have several million won in an account there, and they have, until now, refused to issue me either a credit card or a global ATM, even though I work for a Uni (had heard this would make it possible).

I've put off doing this, mostly out of anger, but my wife and I went to Woori today to try to get these things. We assumed Woori Bank might soften their stance since the marriage. They're working on the credit card (not sure it will be approved), but what I learned about the global ATM card didn't thrill me. They said there is now an automatic 3% charge on all ATM transactions if I use that card internationally. That's awfully high! She then went on to say that "we also charge Koreans that."

Ok. So despite being anti-foreigner in their policies of issuing international ATM cards, their basic fees seem pretty darned high.

Can anyone suggest a better bank than Woori?

Honestly, I've had enough of them -- to say they suck is being friendly.

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

Dude, it's not just that bank. It doesn't really matter which company you go with, it matters which actual bank, and sometimes even which teller matters. It's so hit and miss here (in banks and the post office) that I just can't stand it.

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

NicRenee · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Seoul

It is ALL about the teller, no getting around it by switching banks. Just try a different branch. I use Woori and have zero problems after switching to a new branch and finding a kind, competent banker. I even have an international debit card with them. Oh, and he told me that this year you can send up to 20,000,000 home without proof per annum. Yay!

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

I understand that about the teller situation... it's the fees that are a killer, too.

Am going to do some more checking around. It may well be that all banks here are starting to charge huge fees for international ATM use.

regicide · Joined: 01 Sep 2006 Location: United States

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

What are the problems encountered with purchasing travellers checks these days?

It's been a long time since I bothered to buy any.

RJjr · Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Location: Turning on a Lamp

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

SC Jeil Bank. It is partly owned by Standard Chartered.

I currently have three bank accounts but when I get back to Korea, I am closing my Woori and transferring my savings to my new SC account. My other one is Nonghyup but that's my salary/current account, can't change that.. but when I can, I will only bank with international banks like citibank, HSBC and Standard Chartered.

Sister Ray · Joined: 25 Mar 2006 Location: Fukuoka

I used the Woori bank in GS Tower in Yeoksam.

They were great.

As people have said it all depends on who you get. If you can try and go to a branch where they will be used to dealing w/ foreigners.

I never had any difficulty obtaining credit cards or making remittances. Great service!

inthewild · Joined: 28 Mar 2004 Location: Korea

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

With a 3% charge on the money you take out internationally (even for Koreans) I decided I didn't even want to bother with an International ATM from Woori.

Other banks are offering better deals.

I'm finding that Woori bank really has some awful rates on certain things, and am debating with the wife on what to switch to.

kiwiliz · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Location: New Zealand

I use Hana Bank...no problems at all....so far

normalcyispasse · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:51 pm Post subject:

Nonghyup used to be really good to me, but then they succumbed to the anti-foreigner wave. If I weren't leaving in 16 days I'd switch to Standard Chartered.

hogwonguy1979 · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: the racoon den

when i was living across town, the woori bank over there was wonderful, i could get my money wired home in less than 10 minutes. the woman who did it was super.

now at my present branch its such a pain, i went to do get a cash advance on my us visa card they had no idea what to do. wiring money home is almost as bad as the spanish inquistion. heck i couldnt even get them to tell me where there is a branch near where i'm moving to this weekend.

i think like somebody said its the branch/teller that makes all the difference.