Korean Job Discussion Forums

StuffYouShould · Joined: 18 Jan 2013

Just visited my KEB branch in Suji. Sent money home, which took a long time.

Whilst I was leaving, I asked about getting a Visa checking account. I got the crossed arms in an X. Sorry no 외국인. Sad

WTF!

I'm going to go in tomorrow armed with their own website!

jondepoer · Joined: 02 May 2010

Horseshit. There's an account called an Expat account. You get a purple card with a visa symbol. I've never successfully used the visa part of the card, but it does have a visa symbol. 99% sure they thought you were asking for a credit card, which is much more difficult - but not impossible - for foreigners to get.

Stan Rogers · Joined: 20 Aug 2010

They don't want to offer you a credit card because so many waygooks before you have run up the cards and skipped town. Why should they trust you?

I don't blame them for saying no to you or any waygook. Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me.

aq8knyus · Joined: 28 Jul 2010 Location: London

@stuffyoushould

I am also a KEB customer and you are definitely right, I cant really understand why they would say that.

@StanRogers

Bizarre.

CentralCali · Joined: 17 May 2007

goreality · Joined: 09 Jul 2009

Lol, He said it was a Visa CHECKING account. Since the balance can't go below 0 there is no risk.

Yes it is harder for foreigners to get actual credit cards without deposits, but not impossible.

I think OP is referring to the fact that they no longer issue visa debit cards to foreigners. This is truly a bizarre practice. I think the card now costs money, too.
Shinhan will issue you a global checking Mastercard good for 5 years or so. KEB has really been going downhill since their buy out from Hana.
I say let them fail again.

nicwr2002 · Joined: 17 Aug 2011

Any of you that have actually gone through the process of getting the cards, how much crap did you have to go through to get the VISA check card? I'm looking at getting an account with KEB Bank and that would be nice to have.

Daniel1981 · Joined: 30 Dec 2009

I've been a happy shinhan customer for 2 years, I also have had a KEB for 2 years. With Shinhan, I didnt even have to ask for a Visa Debit Card.. The default checking account card comes with it. I just went to create a debit account, and I had the VISA number with it, and used it tons of times online..

They recently switched to Mastercard, and after I lost my card, I got a new debit card, this time with a Mastercard symbol and number. Works great.

Patrick Bateman · Joined: 21 Apr 2009 Location: Lost in Translation

I'm on an E2 and got a KEB 2x(a) credit card a few months ago. Really easy process as long as you've prepared the proper materials.

It's a Mastercard, but I've used it on a number of different websites (gmarket, hotels.co.kr, expedia, etc). Highly recommend it.

StuffYouShould · Joined: 18 Jan 2013

I said to one of my Korean co-workers. She gave them a call and let them know I'm on my way there tomorrow.

I'm gonna make a complaint aswell. The tellers need to be somewhat informed on this. It's very lazy just saying "no, sorry". It gives out both wrong and inconsistent information, and doesn't look very professional on their part. And doesn't show us expats much respect.

I went there on recommendation from a friend and other posts on Dave's. I'm not going to complain to be awkward, I'd hope it would give the branch the right message.

doubt it will change much though, but it's better than just leaving it.

furtakk · Joined: 02 Jun 2009

Yea definitely the result of an ignorant employee/manager. I was given the visa checking card by default when I made an account. They also asked me if I was interested in a proper credit card. This is the itaewon branch though, so they are more likely to have their things together when it comes to the foreign customer base.

Seoulman69 · Joined: 14 Dec 2009

I went to Shinan bank for a debit card and they said I had to wait a couple of months to upgrade from the piece of shit card they gave me. I knew this was bs so I asked to see the manager. The manager then came out and lied that I had to wait to get a debit card. I gave him a piece of my mind and cancelled the account there and then.
I've posted about this on Shinan's facebook account but they either ignore it, deny it, or delete it.
KEB is the only bank I don't want to burn to the ground. If they've gone to shit then I'm keeping my money under my bed.

hiamnotcool · Joined: 06 Feb 2012

shostahoosier · Joined: 14 Apr 2009

From what I've been told, each KEB branch should have a person on staff who can speak English (they are an exchange bank).

If you're having problems....go into the bank with your cell phone and call their own English speaking line.

In the country side, I had to do this often with Nonghyup bank to get anything done as every bank teller would say before I could even finish asking my question.

chrisinkorea2011 · Joined: 16 Jan 2011

actually getting a credit card has become slightly easier depending on who you do it with. Hyundai card has recently (in the last 6 months) made getting their card a hell of a lot easier. All you do is fax in your bank book page, your ARC, and a letter of employment from your work to the fax number they give you. I did that and was approved within 20 seconds, plus after 3 months of using the card they raised my limit significantly (of course il never use that much but still). Many factors come into play ive been told such as time in country, consistency in the amount of money in your account for past 3 - 6 months, etc.

good luck!