Korean Job Discussion Forums

[shostahoosier]

I read that Hana Bank is acquiring KEB bank pretty soon.

Anyone on here have an account with Hana Bank? Are they foreigner friendly?

I'm wondering if I should go through the trouble of making the switch to KB.

[BigBuds]

Hana Bank sux arse big time!!!!

Just over 1 million won of my money disappeared during a bank transfer done by them and they refused to take responsibility for it. It never reached Australia or my bank.

This was over 8 years ago so I have no idea about them now but back then there was even less available for foreigner to get help with stuff like this and Hana bank basically told me tough luck we don't care.

I wouldn't even trust them with 1 won of my money!

If they take over KEB bank, I guess I'll have to find a new bank.

It sux though cause KEB has the best service for foreignesr that I've found in over 9 years in Korea.

[crossmr]

We don't know what effect it will have, if any, on KEB itself. big organizations are bought and sold pretty regularly and it doesn't always change things too drastically.

[le-paul]

I have an account with both.
I always use my KEB account because they offered me a card that I can use inside and outside the ROK as well as being useful online for ordering.
Hana didnt offer me squat except a foreigner savings account with something like 1 percent interest if I invest 10,000,000 in their bank or some ludicrous crap like that.
Im disappointed if Ill have to stop using my KEB account.
I will be opening a 3rd account with KB probably.

[derp]

:\

I'm moving to Korea in a few weeks, should I even bother opening an account with KEB then? I wanted a foreign friendly bank where I could get a CC and do online banking.

[Los Angeloser]

Expect service to go sour, any paths made in the past will probably now be blocked.

[tman88]

Sorry to go a bit off-topic but what bank is better for foreigners; KEB or Woori? I've checked out both websites and I'm leaning more towards KEB but I'm not sure now with this news. Even though I won't be in Korea until May, i'd just like to see what others think.

[eslwriter]

Banking in Korea for foreigners is a crap shoot.

Generally, even simple services for existing account holders require multiple copes of documents - even though the exact same information is already on the computer.

In my experience, the service is marginally better in the branches in commercial centers rather than those in local neighborhoods where no one will speak English and no one will have any experience delivering the services you require, like opening an account.

[Los Angeloser]

I want to know what the KEB booklet says that employees have been handing out during their demonstrations, does anyone know?

I went to my branch and asked for a translation of the booklet(comic form), but they told me they don't have anything to do with it despite KEB and it's logo on the cover at the bottom. They said there isn't an English version, I told them I'd wait for one and will check back next week for an answer. They told me they can't gaurantee anything and I told them I won't accept anything other than an English explanation and if they told me "NO" then I will request a name and number.

What is the reason for their demonstration isn't clear since they don't ask anyone to do anything such as sign a petition, make a phone call, email someone etc... to prevent the deal from going through...

The article below says a decision was to have been made within weeks(as of November) to see if it's a done deal, but we are still waiting...
http://www.altassets.net/private-equity-news/article/nz19606.html

[Los Angeloser]

The cover of the KEB booklet has a woman holding a flag that says...진실 or "truth" with an angry guy in the background and steam coming from his head. The title of the booklet is "War Diary" which seems like an exaggeration.

[nathanrutledge]

So learn to read if you want to know, it's really simple language.

The gist of it is that KEB was in financial trouble. Lone Star Equities bought a large stake in the bank. Now, a few years later, LS wants out and is trying to sell. Some different banks were trying to raise the capital to do it, only Hana has been able to get the government okay and the money.

The fight is about the union. The Hana Bank union is not as powerful/protective/generous as the KEB union and the KEB employees don't want to work for Hana. It's that simple.

Seriously, a Korean/English dictionary and 30 minutes, you'd have the whole comic book read.

[Los Angeloser]

[nathanrutledge]

[metalhead]

To second what an earlier poster asked, how does Woori Bank hold up, with regards to services for foreigners?

[crossmr]