Korean Job Discussion Forums

jadarite · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 8:44 pm Post subject: Shinhan Bank

Does anyone have an account with them? If so, how do you feel about their services compared to KB, Woori, or Nonghyup?

IncognitoHFX · Joined: 06 May 2007 Location: Yeongtong, Suwon

Unposter · Joined: 04 Jun 2006

I have to use Shinhan because the place where I work deposits my paycheck there. In the 8 or so years, I've used Shinhan (Chohung before they became Shinhan), I have found their service to be less than desired.

If you end up using them, I hope your experience is better than mine.

ccikulin · Joined: 23 Mar 2008 Location: Sunae-dong, Bundang

I have found the people at KB bank near my apt to be pretty pleasant. A couple of them speak English pretty well, and one of them gave me his card after making a bank transfer in case I ever have a problem and need someone there who speaks English. Heard a lot of crap about Shinhan too, but I can't confirm or deny any of it. KB is good though.

MANDRL · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Location: South Korea

I am sure it depends on which branch you go to. Last year I had a great experience with the teller who did my monthly wire transfer. I transfered money to my Bank of America account at around 11 am and the money was in my BofA account by about 11 pm that night. I never had a problem with them. However, like most things, I am sure Shinhan is hit and miss depending on where you are and who you deal with.

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

Shinhan is not the ideal bank for foreigners, I do my main stuff at KB, but at my branch the Shinhan people have been nice. I only have an account at Shinhan, because my work insisted that I open one which seems kind of authoritarian in my view.

i · Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Location: Seoul

My wife had an account at Kwang Ju bank, and asked for a debit card for me. Got one right there. Opened an account at Shinhan and asked for a debit card for me a couple months later. Wouldn't give me one because I was a foreigner. My wife technically is too as she is a US resident (can't have a Korean ID). Went on for 15 mins, but said I could open my own acct, but it would take 3 months to get a debit card. Went to Hanna Bank, and they set me up with a card mailed in a week.
Another example of the garbage you have to put up with here. I bet if I went to the Shinhan bank down the street, they'd give me a card right away. Just dealing with morons here. Everything is hit or miss.

viipuri · Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Location: Seoul, Centre of it all

...interesting, 'cos my local Shinhan branch actually offered me a debit card, and took them up on the offer...no credit card offered yet though...

,,,but what I cannot stand about the bank are the longest waits ever - like they only ever have two people at the desks at a time or something...it's like living in the 70s when waiting for some service or something...

dinga271 · Joined: 31 May 2006

beast · Joined: 28 Jan 2003

They seem to have a strong anti foreigner policy when it comes to international cards. Guy at Shinhan told me it is illegal for a foreigner to have an international debit or credit card. So I showed him the ones I already have from hana and Nonghyup and he said that they are breaking the law. I said, can you call the Chosun Ilbo newspaper and quote that to them. He didn't want to talk to me after that.

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

kprrok · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Location: KC

I've been with Shinhan (Chohung) since Dec. 03 and never had a problem with them. They've never had the best English abilities, but I don't expect them to be able to speak English. They understand the lingo for what they do, and that's all they need.

Find a branch, check them out, and if they're cool, use that branch. If not, find a different one.