Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cathenry]

Is it possible for a married couple to have a joint bank account?

[Wangja]

Yes. Even an unmarried couple - I had one years ago with KEB.

[DaeSung]

I'm not sure, I have been told that you can't. Doesn't mean its true but I was told that you can't. When I asked why they were unable to give me a good reason as to why not. I talked to many Korean people about it and they said there is no reason to, I disagree but thats what they said. You can have two people on the same credit card but the money only comes out of one account. It might also depend on the bank or the willingness of the people there to actually do something out of the normal and find out how to get you a joint account.

[cathenry]

That's odd that you had one with KEB. When we were in Korea 2003/2004 we were told by KEB and a couple of other banks in our area that we couldn't have one but at that time we were unmarried. I'm hoping because we're married now we'll be able to get one. I guess we'll see what they say when we get back to Korea in a couple of weeks.

[Wangja]

[NJ]

My husband and I were also told by KEB that we couldn't have a joint account. We argued with them for a while (I was flabbergasted that this could actually be true) and got absolutely nowhere. Then we tried to get two debit cards so we would each have one to use. They wouldn't do that either. They would, however, give us one debit card and one credit card. I was told that the credit card is pretty much a debit card, but between the broken English and broken Korean I wasn't sure of all the details of what we'd be getting into...three years later my husband still has to ask to borrow the bank card!

After I got to work that day I asked my director if she and her husband had a joint bank account. Her (horrified) response was, "No, never!"

It seems odd to me to be married and not share finances, but whatever works.

[cathenry]

We're in Japan now and can't get a joint bank account here either. At least we could get 2 bank cards for the one account although they're technically both my husband's with his name on both of them and I get to "borrow" one!!

I guess we'll get 3 bank accounts... 1 for savings and 1 each for us to use for general spending so we can at least have a card each.

I can already picture the "You forgot to give me the bank card again." type arguments/accusations!

[sadsac]

My wife and I have never been able to get a joint account in 6 years. No particular reason given, just no.

[animalbirdfish]

Is this a Korean law or simply a policy amongst the local banks? If the latter, do you suppose Citibank or Standard-Chartered would be more willing to do it?

[I-am-me]

It might be hard getting joint account....i opened account with my wife and got 2 debit cards. They both have my name on them..but at least she gets one. She got an international debit card and that was in her name. Just dont bank an nonhyop. They are the worst. I think they hire the most incompetent people in korea. Ask a question and they have to call 3 people over to find the answer!!!!!!!!!!