Korean Job Discussion Forums

lugnut_9754 · Joined: 19 Oct 2008 Location: Ulsan, South Korea

Hello. Anyone use KEB bank? Are they really as foreigner friendly as they sound? I went there yesterday with my director to get money exchanged and no one spoke to me, only to my director. Do most branches have english speaking workers? Thanks.

Ji · Joined: 15 Oct 2008

It is alot more foreigner friendly then other banks but where they really shine is in their foreigner specialist branches. At these branches the tellers and staff speak English amongst other languages. My teller was fluidly switching between Korean and English as she was answering my questions and passing on information to other staff.

AussieGav · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Location: Uijeongbu

I have used KEB for the past 2 plus years and have not really ahd a problem. In the earlier days with my boss and more so with my Korean wife they will almost automatically speak Korea. This is noremal, they are Koreans. But when I go by myself the very same tellers speak at least adequate English if not fluent. Some have difficulty at times with numbers so just write it down (ie. in the case of transfers etc).

As with anything else here, just speak slowly and clearly. Most Koreans know enough English specific to their jobs to communicate. Good luck.

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

the internet banking is in English and easy to navigate so that brings them up in my book.

nomad-ish · Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 12:33 am Post subject:

i hate KEB with a passion... almost every time i transfer money it's a hassle, and i've tried a couple times to get internet banking and they either say i can't because i'm a foreigner, or there is no english website.... OR (when i called them on that one) you can only check your balance on the english website, so no point to it
Mad

nizpaz · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea

Hav any of you got a debit card from KEB? I can only gt an ATM. I met someone who banks elsewhere and has a debit card straight off.

caniff · Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Location: All over the map

lugnut_9754 · Joined: 19 Oct 2008 Location: Ulsan, South Korea

Thanks. I think I will go with KEB. I read online that you get an ATM card right away. I'll while I'm there. There is a "foreigner" branch in Ulsan (where I am) but I don't know where it is (or much for that matter) so I'm just going to go to whichever one I find first Very Happy

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

you can even get a credit card from them but you have to put down a million won deposit.

OculisOrbis · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

If your trying to get service at KEB and they say no because your a foreigner, just call the woman at the number listed at the bottom of the article below, explain your issue with the bank, hand the phone the offending teller, and things will be sorted for you. She's great. I got my Global Debit Card and credit card because of her.

Improved Regulations on Overseas Travel Expenditures, Newly Introduced

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has been in cooperation with Ministry of Strategy and Finance since January of 2008, working to alleviate foreigners' inconveniences when using their Korean funds overseas through credit cards etc. Finally, we have found a more convenient system regarding the ability to access such funds overseas. These improved regulations entered into effect beginning on June 2nd, 2008.

[Newly Introduced Regulations (2008.6.2.)]

Foreigners can access their Korean funds overseas using credit cards and other types of cards up to $50,000 a year in addition to the amount of taxed income earned in Korea, so that foreigners may feel freer when traveling overseas.

※ For further information, please contact Seoul Global Center

(Kang eun-sung, ☎02-2075-4146, Korea Exchange Bank Credit Card desk).

caniff · Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Location: All over the map

tranamah · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Location: Ilsan, Korea