Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Gideon]

Anyone having troubles connecting to kb bank online service?

I guess they decided to shut down the english site and part of the korean site to do maintenance.. gee, is it me or did they pick the most SCREWED up time to suspend services? Of all the days they choose this holiday long weekend to do it. bunch of idiots!!!

KB SUCKS !!!!

I can't use my account via internet and i cant even transfer money at the atm.. what a bunch of idiots! i guess they just figured this is the best time to do maintenance over a holiday. geee.. i guess they figure ppl dont need to use banking services at this time..

Shaking my head at this one.

[elvenmuggle21]

I actually got a text message from KB informing me of the times the bank would be closed. Of course my Korean is quite poor so it may have also included info about the online service being down. I remember that they did this on a long holiday in the past too. It's best to just make sure you always have cash on you for the major holidays.

[Bloopity Bloop]

[tardisrider]

[BoholDiver]

I was thinking of posting this same thing about KB.

I have 3 complaints against KB in the last week alone. I am thinking of changing to Woori.

1. I went to the bank to do a wire transfer. It took the guy 45 minutes to do it, and also some noisy ajosshi got jumped in the line because 'he was there yesterday'. I had to skip lunch, as that was my only time.

This is the 2nd time something like this has happened. Once I had a number paper, and some ajumma jumped line. When I made a fuss, the bank manager gave me special service to keep me quiet. I guess asking an ajumma to wait and get in line is too hard.

2. The bank machines by my place are all empty on Saturday evening of this weekend. 3 machines are down, 5 give only cheques. Advanced planning, anyone?

3. Recently, they 'locked' my account to one particular branch to do wire transfers. When I went to a different one, they told me on the spot. This was done without my permission, and without informing me. It is according to 'Korean banking laws'. Those ones that don't exist.

[djsmnc]

KB is fine with me. I also have a Woori account. KB sent a text out that said most of their services will not be available over the weekend. KB also hooks me up with low cost money transfers to my US account, so they're cool by me.

[BoholDiver]

KB recently called my co-worker recently, and asked him to come in. Apparently, the bank record of his alien card (copied over a year ago) wasn't clear enough, and they want him to come in on his own time to copy it again, this time more clearly.

He basically gave said that's YP, not MP.

Also, the same person has a joint account with his wife, and it requires 2 signatures to take money out. But KB wants to cling to outdated traditions. It has now been changed without their consent. It requires 2 chops (stamps), but both people don't have to be present. Just as long as the deposit slip has 2 chops on it.

He was like 'So if my wife decided to leave me, she can steal my chop and take all of our money????'.

And this is the leading bank of this country? I am supposed to trust them with my money? KB is for the birds. I am taking my business elsewhere.

[lifeinkorea]

[CP]

Kookmin Bank has never been a problem for me.

1. KB indeed sends out text messages.

2. Wire Transfers - why do you even do this at a teller? Why not fill out the form for ATM Overseas Remittance? It takes 30 minutes and then after that you never have to go to a teller again. You just go to an ATM and use the overseas remittance option. Takes just as much time as any other transaction at an ATM.

3. Saying only Korean ATM's run out of money is B.S. and you know it. I've been in many countries around holiday times only to see the machines say they are out of money. It happens everywhere. Even in western countries, seen it a few times around Christmas.

4. What's the problem with withdrawing the 100K cheques? They are the same as cash. Almost any shop will cash them for you.

[djsmnc]

[Ukon]

KB generally asked for my passport for every damn transaction for starters....

I use paypal for transfers....much easier

KB rarely gives credit cards to foreigners...

[Cerberus]

[Smee]

Though KEB generally gets the best reviews, and KB, Woori, and Shinhan the worst, the one thing that's clear is your banking experience will depend entirely on the location, and on the manager and teller you're dealing with on that particular day.

Banks deny service to you based on rules that don't exist. They tell you things are impossible because they don't know the answer, and tellers will tell you something is against the rules because they've never had to investigate the matter themselves.

It's ridiculous to say that only Korean ATMs run out of money around the holidays, and it's insanely arrogant to blame the bank because you can't understand the language of the country you live in. However, if a bank is not meeting your needs as an expat here, it behooves you to find one that will.

[BoholDiver]

The ATM running out of money is a common problem, but it had run out before the weekend has really even began. That's utter incompetence. But I never said it only happens here. And I speak Korean upper-intermediate.

I went to Woori bank the other day to do some foreign exchange. They were very professional, and quite impressed me.

I might switch to KEB but I am reluctant due to the lack of ATMs.

Your last sentence is very true.

[BoholDiver]

I haven't used the bank in a while, so I kinda forgot that I had planned to change. Anyways, I had to send money home today, and KB (not knowing I am a dissatisfied customer) did a lot towards repairing their image in my head.

I was waiting with my number and a lady in a private office approached me and asked me what I wanted. She then invited me to her office and did the transaction in record time. She was reluctant b/c she thought I couldn't speak Korean, but then she was more comfortable when I answered her in Korean.

I guess I will give KB another chance unless they screw up again.