Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mithrae]

Kookmin bank sucks. They wouldn't give me an international ATM card (to take cash out of my Korean bank account while overseas) because I'm a foreigner. So I opened an account witth K.E.B. and got a card for making withdrawals while overseas. They insist that it will work 100%, so long as the overseas ATM machine has the same sign thing as the back of the card.

I'm heading off to the UK for a couple of weeks, and might stop off in a couple of places in the way back. I don't have a credit card, so I'm counting on this card working as promised.

Has anyone had any problems using the KEB card at bank machines overseas? Which countries?

Thanks

[Smee]

I've used it no problem in the US (several times), Taiwan (several times), Vietnam, China, and I think Hong Kong and Malaysia, too. As I and commenters said on this post, though, if you're going to Japan you're better off just bringing cash with you because it's apparently really tough to find a machine that'll work.

[Mithrae]

Smee that's great news. If it works it'll be the first time I've been impressed with any Korean service for foreigners in a long time. Thanks for the information. (If it works in Vietnam I think it's pretty safe to think it'll work in Europe.)

Thanks for the information.

[eliross]

It worked for me in Vietnam but not in the U.S.

[Murakano]

[Caesar1313]

Make sure you tell them you are leaving the country and check, then double check that your card is registered for foreign transactions. I can't stress this enough. I switched from Hana to KEB for the single fact that I was going to China on a trip, and I even told them this when I opened the account. 5 days into my trip when I ran out of Cash and tried to pull money at the Shanghai airport my card didn't work on a single ATM. Called a Korean friend to call the bank for me explaining the dire situation I was in and had to wait about an hour but they were able to open some access for my card . Thank God it wasn't a weekend.

[Enigma]

I'm going to second what Caesar said above. The reason I got a KEB account was because even though I've got an account at Nonghyup with a good chunk of cash they wouldn't give me an international ATM card. So when I went to KEB, I very clearly and emphatically told them I needed to be able to use the card abroad. I was in Taiwan a month ago, and I tried it at a few different banks - no luck. I still have to talk to them and see what's going on.

[Ukon]

I think the international card is the credit card that says global on it...I have it...works everywhere!

[cdninkorea]

My KEB card worked in Thailand but not Canada. The teller insists I must've made a mistake about the kind of ATM I went to because it "should've" worked. Who knows?

[Sector7G]

I sent my KEB Global card to my family back in Florida -it's actually how I transfer money to them. It cut my transfer fees from $43 total to about $20 for a $2000 atm withdrawal.

I have heard there are even cheaper ways to send money but still not sure how.

[Caesar1313]

[Mithrae]

Thanks for the information. Critics of this site say it's only about knocking Korea - and occasionally it is, for there's lots to knock, not least in the area of banking - but I've found over the years that there's a lot of very helpful information passed back and forth here.

Thanks for the input.

[byrddogs]

[ThingsComeAround]

To my understanding, Kookmin (KB) Bank now "allows" foreigners to access their money internationally using their debit (check) card.
" " is for KB- they aren't very well in letting local branches know about changes in service. Tellers are not accustomed to putting themselves in their clients position- they just tell us what they feel is appropriate for us to know.
Other posters mentioned the fact that a foreigner can only register ONE bank for international transactions- that means remittances & debit card activity. (not including credit cards) The officer at KEB gave me this information clearly and fully. The officer at KB didn't know squat- she couldn't tell a horse from a fly. "But," she says, "you should stay with us, we can give you some discount." Heh. No thanks- I'd rather conduct business like a real traveler and not like a 13 year old on a chaperoned trip having to ask 'Daddy KB' for cash.

[machellebelle]

It worked fine for me in the U.S, but when I backpacked Europe, it was a bit funky on the machines and would only work at CitiBank ATMs