Korean Job Discussion Forums

citizen erased · Joined: 06 Apr 2008

i can't use my ATM card for anything except taking money out of an ATM so I went into the bank today to see if they could give me a card that I could use to make purchases and they told me they didn't give those to foreigners.

i am curious if this is common practice or if the teller was just feeling especially racist today.

I have about 10 million won in the account and she knew that I wasn't asking for a credit card. all i wanted was a debit card. i had my passport and my registration card with me i am hoping every bank isnt like this.

big_fella1 · Joined: 08 Dec 2005

They may actually prefer you to take the Credit card (secured). They hope you stuff up and pay 26.5% interest (ba*ds). Try another, teller/branch/bank.

Stevie_B · Joined: 14 May 2008

bogey666 · Joined: 17 Mar 2008 Location: Korea, the ass free zone

lastat06513 · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:28 am Post subject:

Yes, if you opened an account with KEB, you can also open a timed-savings account in which you can put money in and also get interest after the time expires (they have accounts that are for 3, 6, 9 and 12-months long). And you are allowed to take money out of it once, without interest.......
If I were you, I'd go to a bank in Itaewon or Hannam Dong to handle this matter..........

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

DongtanTony · Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Location: Bundang

As far as your original question....and getting a bank to issue you a debit and/or check card....

You shouldn't have a problem...maybe you need a co-worker to join you next time you're in the bank.

Recently...financial regualtions were relaxed for two purposes: Korean real estate investment abroad...and foreigner banking relations in country.

Previously...some banks have been very resistant to issuing lines of credit to foreigners...understandably in my opinion...if the foreigner runs...how are they supposed to recover those debts??

In terms of check cards (as Koreans will refer to them) or debit cards (as many westerners call them)....these should not be much of an issue...especially since those debits are directly deducted from an existing account.

I'm with Shinhan....no problems getting an ATM/debit card issued.

Try again...go with a co-worker if necessary...refer to it as a check card, since the term debit card doesn't seem to get foreigners very far.

Good luck.

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

Well, I think Korea should at least be more lax with people who have been in Korea for at least one year. If you can prove somehow that you've lived in Korea for over a year, and you are in your second contract or what have you, then they should at least give you some benefit of the doubt.

citizen erased · Joined: 06 Apr 2008

i also use shinhan bank.

but i am not sure what kind of difference it will make if i take a korean speaker in with me. the teller spoke very good english and she told me very clearly that they dont issue check cards to foreigners.

i am not sure how else i could ask for it, even if i brought in someone else. i think its total nonsense. i didnt think they did this to everyone.

i dont have a small balance and i wasnt asking for a line of credit. im actually pretty upset about it.

lorenchristopher · Joined: 25 Dec 2007

I'm with Shinhan as well. I went in twice with two different Koreans, but still no luck. Went once with a co-worker and then again with my Korean friend....both times they said they do not issue check cards to foreigners.

I should go to a different branch I suppose cause it would be nice having a check card. Anyone else with Shinhan that can recommend a branch where they didn't have any hassles? Thanks!

matthews_world · Joined: 15 Feb 2003

I haven't seen debit cards here. Koreans are point card and credit card crazy however.

KYC · Joined: 11 May 2006

I have a debit from Nonghyup. I walked into the bank in my small town and was able to get it myself. The teller spoke almost zero English but she was super friendly. She was also embarrassed that she didn't understand what I wanted at first.

My friends also have one from KEB & KB bank. However my friend's KB debit card sometimes work, sometimes it doesnt even though she has money in her acct.

I like Nonghyup..easy and hassle free.

ytuque · Joined: 29 Jan 2008 Location: I drink therefore I am!

I opened my Nonghyup bank acct. 2 months ago, and they would only give me an ATM card. Is this card useable outside Korea? If so, what is the banks terminology for this card, so I can go ask for one?

JungMin · Joined: 18 May 2005

I have a check card from Shinhan Bank....No problems at all. A credit card, on the other hand, seems impossible to get from them!!!

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Standard Chartered (SC First Bank) has a good rep for treating foreigners like people. Check 'em out.