Korean Job Discussion Forums

[eac02]

I was going to set up an Woori bank account because I know you can do oversea remittance at the ATM but my co- teacher said I should use NH bank. She said she talked to the school and they think thats what I should use but I don't know why they would care where I bank.

My questions is has anyone used both these bank? Which is better? Why?

Thanks

[Horangi Munshin]

Maybe that is the only bank in your neighbourhood? That's how I got a nonghyup account.

Maybe they do all their banking with them and want to save a couple of keystrokes come payday.

Maybe they got out with the manager and can find out all your details whenever they want to.

...

[bassexpander]

Woori's fees seem really quite high to me.

I also feel they really treat you like a foreigner.

I'd go with SC Charter, if I were you. You can actually get an international debit card from them. They have a branch in Itaewon near the post office.

[eac02]

I live in Bangwha, its really far out. I was hoping to find something close to me both NH and Woori are next to my apt. I also so a KB bank and shinjin this morning. would either of those be a better choice?

[Horangi Munshin]

Nonghyup's internet banking is in English. A big plus! I think KB's is too. I use online banking with another bank and there is only Korean .

[ttompatz]

I have had accounts at both Woori and NH for years and have no real complaints about either one of them. Their fees are not much different from each other nor are they much different than anyone else, at least for local transactions or international use of their credit card.

Woori usually has better rates for CDs than most of the other banks and they do have English internet banking as well. They also have an English customer service rep available by phone if you have some problem with their service or dealing with a teller in a branch.

I have NOT used either one for foreign remittances (bank wires).

The only thing I have noticed is that many NH branches do NOT do foreign exchange or foreign remittances.

.

[bassexpander]

It's called, "Woori" bank, which sort of means, "we" or "our" bank. I call it "their" bank when my wife and I talk about it. She laughs.

[Horangi Munshin]

[BS.Dos.]

I'm with Nonghyup and have had no problems with them over the last year. I used to do all my overseas transactions 'in-store' as it were, but I then set up an online account. I took a while to figure everything out as there internet banking seems unnecessarily complicated, but I'm there now and now send all my cash home from the comfort of my apartment, which means I don't have to trudge in to the bank once a month and do it.

[jellobean]

[inthewild]

[BS.Dos.]

^No. It took a fair amount of legwork going back and forth to the bank before I finally got everything sorted out. Like I said, setting it up, to me at least, seemed unnecessarily complicated, but if you persevere with it, it's worth it.

[eac02]

So I went to NH Bank and talked to a very nice and helpful woman but did not open an account there because she said that their branch was not equipted to do international remittances. She recomended I go across the street to Woori.
The service at Woori was not friendly and after I filled out all the paperwork I was told I could not open an account because I do not have a phone. I told her I could give her my co-teachers number and come back when I get my own number, she said no. I asked why I needed a phone to open a bank account and she because you are a foreigner.
I talked to my co-teacher today and she recommended KEB. She went online and looked at it and called them, they said they have international remittance accounts and online banking.

What are your views and opinions on KEB?
Is there anyway I can figure out what the different rates at the banks are?

I'd heard and read other posts about how frustrating it can be trying to bank in korea so I was prepared but it doesn't make it any less irritating!