Korean Job Discussion Forums

tareze · Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Location: north or south of a river

I heard on this board that Standard Chartered was still offering the International ATM card to foreign customers so I went a few weeks ago to open an account at the branch in Itaewon.
They gave me the card no problem and also offered me a check card.
I left the country for vacation two days later and the card worked in both Thailand and Laos. A friend meeting me did the same thing and the card also worked. Another friend got a Standard Chartered account and they automatically gave him the check card/int'l atm combo. He will report back whether it works in the States in a day or two, but I'm sure it will.

I tried my Nonghyup card in Bangkok...no dice...screw them.
I will be closing my other bank accounts this week and giving Standard Chartered all my business. I suggest you do the same...

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

Sweet! Where is that bank located?

I thought it was the law that you have a 3 month wait before you could use the card?

DrunkenMaster · Joined: 04 Feb 2008

bassexpander, is that you in your avatar? If it is, I have to say you look JUST like I imagined you!

Bouvguy · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Location: South Korea

I tried my Nonghyup card in China with the same result. They told me it was an international card and I could use it outside of Korea! Good thing I took plenty of cash. I may be switching soon too.

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

cangel · Joined: 19 Jun 2003 Location: Jeonju, S. Korea

I used my Nonghyup card in Japan and had no problems... But nice to know there is an alternative.

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

I heard KEB is foreigner friendly. I would not mind an account there. KB has not given me any problems, but they first told me I could get an international ATM, and then I couldnt. What's up with that?

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

articulate_ink · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 6:22 am Post subject:

KEB will not issue foreigners international ATM cards. Standard Chartered will. I bank with both. KEB is convenient because there's a branch at my university, and because their foreigner services department in Itaewon is reasonably helpful. But if you need an international ATM card, go to SC.

nebraska1 · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 2:38 pm Post subject:

Where is the SC in Itaewon? I need to change banks. Thank you and good luck!

N!

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

There is no law against it...seems to be the policy of most K-banks though. Not that you can't get one. I have two and last I checked they worked fine in Thailand.

The Hammer · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 5:24 pm Post subject:

Is it possible to pay for a CELTA with an international card?

harryh · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: south of Seoul

I think I'll open a Standard Chartered account this week and see what happens. None of my korean cards from KEB, Nongyup or Pusan Bank work overseas.

It's frustrating. I've been in Korea since 2002, married a korean, get korean wages but can't spend money outside the country.

I use ebay, but get charged a quid for each 'overseas transaction' by LloydsTSB. I'd like to use a Korean card instead.

Also, with regards to internet transactions for goods, I often can't even buy things as many online retailers will not ship to an address that is different to the billing address.