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mscoop1085
Joined: 12 Feb 2009
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 Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:25 pm Post subject: Banks in Seoul |
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| Hey guys, I will be arriving in Seoul on Sunday this week. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on a good bank in Seodaemun-Gu or near to set up an account with and exchange my US dollars to won. Or will I not be able to set one up until I receive my Alien registration card? I was also going to ask what type of converter I should buy as I am preparing to buy a laptop to bring with me to Korea. Are there any important things I should know before purchasing a certain type of laptop for use in Korea? Thank you. |
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Toon Army
Joined: 12 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:39 pm Post subject: |
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don't know about Seodemun Gu but I'm sure there's a KEB Bank in the area....in my opinion better than Hana, Shinhan , Nonghyup and more foreigner friendly so to speak. You need 2 forms of ID and about 12 months ago I set up an account with just a passport and drivers license.....not sure if the rules have changed regarding needing an ARC now.
If you're exchanging a significant amount of USD then I'd go to Namdaemum and exchange it on the 'black market'. |
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Xuanzang
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Sadang
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| Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:42 pm Post subject: |
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Seodaemun-gu is huge. I would recommend KEB for their foreigner friend-ish services like credit cards, overseas remittence and the fact they accept foreign coins as legal exchange tender. There's branches in Hongdae, Shinchon, Gwanghwamun. You dont even need an account with KEB to change currency. They'll just do it for you. i know I sound like I work for them but they've taken care of my banking needs. Just wanted to share that.
Just take your passport and you can setup a bank account. Just remember to change the passport number to your ARC once you get it. Sometimes accounts using a passport ID number have problems later down the road.
You can buy a cheap plug converter once you're here. However, picking up a travel one isnt a bad idea to get you started. The kind of laptop depends on your job here. Will you need to carry it around? WIll it be a desktop replacement type? For me, I would go with light and mobile. I'm not a gamer so a 12-13 inch business type laptop is good enough for me. My current one is a 14 inch one. Lightweight, for when I need to bring it into work. |
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Otherside
Joined: 06 Sep 2007
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| Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:52 pm Post subject: Re: Banks in Seoul |
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| mscoop1085 wrote: |
| Hey guys, I will be arriving in Seoul on Sunday this week. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on a good bank in Seodaemun-Gu or near to set up an account with and exchange my US dollars to won. Or will I not be able to set one up until I receive my Alien registration card? I was also going to ask what type of converter I should buy as I am preparing to buy a laptop to bring with me to Korea. Are there any important things I should know before purchasing a certain type of laptop for use in Korea? Thank you. |
Exchange your first batch of dollars at the airport. The rate is comparable to the banks (often better) and realistically, you'd at best only be saving yourself a couple of bucks if you shopped around. Once you've settled in, you can open a bank account in Seoul. |
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