Korean Job Discussion Forums

catchshime

My father has a Woori account at a New York branch and we discussed opening a Woori account on my behalf at this same branch. I would also get Woori credit/debit ATM cards before I go to Korea.

Would opening an account in NY without an Alien Registration Card be any problem? Of course I would receive an ARC shortly after arrival, but I was wondering whether opening an account in NY without one would be an issue in Korea. My father would vouch for me when opening and for any other issues that might arise in Korea.

If we open a Woori New York account, could my hagwon then transfer payment to this account directly? That way, I'm hoping I would not have to wire money to a non-Korean bank account when I want to wire money home from my opened Korean one. I'm hoping that I could also use the credit/debit cards associated with the NY Woori account in Korea, since it's still from Woori bank.

I hope that this would be easier for both parties since my hagwon would not have to assist in opening a new account and payment could be made to my existing one once I provide the branch and account information. This would save the hassle of having to wire money in the future and I could just use the Woori accounts I opened in NY.

However, the banking system in the US is different than in Korea so even if it's the same bank name, would the account be inaccessible in Korea?

greasypeanut · Joined: 28 Apr 2009 Location: songtan

i dont know nething about woori bank. but seeing how my us citibank account doesnt work in korea, i would say a us woori bank wouldnt work here either.

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

They would give you the same response I got from HSBC Korea - they're related in name only. I wanted to use my HSBC account from back home but there is no connection. Opening an account makes no difference. Still have to do bank wire transfer as they're separate entities.

cincynate · Joined: 07 Jul 2009 Location: Jeju-do, South Korea

No... it will not work in Korea. You'll only be wasting your time and money opening an account in NY. Besides. Worri bank sucks.. Use NH or China Construction Bank. They are much better at wiring money home, and usually have someone who speaks English. Good Luck!

catchshime · Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:09 am Post subject:

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

You will have wire transfer fees....very simply put...you will have them. Internation rules apply....you wire transfer funds from Woori bank NY to Woori bank in korea....you pay fees. Go into the NY branch and ask them!

catchshime · Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:36 am Post subject:

byrddogs · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Location: Shanghai

catchshime · Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:07 am Post subject:

byrddogs · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Location: Shanghai

That would absolutely be the best thing for you to do. Good luck.

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China

You only want to open a Woori account because your dad has one? Am I missing another reason?

Just so you know, ALL banks are linked. You can do bank transfers more easily than in the states. It doesn't matter which bank you use. I recommend KB. Stay away from Shinhan.

catchshime · Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:55 am Post subject:

catchshime · Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:38 pm Post subject:

One more thing: my hagwon recommends Woori because of the internet transfer service in English and there are "thousands of locations" all over Korea. how is the Woori abroad?

Hobophobic · Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 6:27 pm Post subject:

Your new employer likely recommends Woori because they use Woori and its saving them ohshipwon a month by you using Woori as well.

DeLaRed · Joined: 16 Oct 2008