Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sweetrevenge]

Hello, I just got here in March and I need to set up a bank account. I've decided to use KEB but I'm a little stumped by their website. Is it best to sign up for an Easy-One Pack installment savings deposit or do I need to sign up for a foreing currency remmittance service first. I don't even care about signing up for a credit card or anything like that, at least not yet. I just want to make this process as painless as possible.

[FriendlyDaegu]

If you just want a regular bank account, neither of those is what you want. You need to go to your local branch. Tell them it's your first time there and you want a new account with a check card.

I don't know what they need these days to open an account. When I opened mine 5 years ago I just needed my passport and ID card. I'd bring whatever documents you have.. Passport, Korean ID or immigration document, home, office, and mobile phone numbers, employment certificate, addresses, etc.

I think having a mobile phone number to give them is a requirement. Don't give them your boss's number. If you want, you can have them set it up so that whenever money goes into or out of your account you get a phone message.

The installment deposit account is an investment savings account and the remittance account is for sending money oversees from Korea. If you want either of those, you can open them up at the same time as the regular bank account.

While you're there, sign up for an internet account ID/password so you can pay bills and send people money without having to go to an ATM.

Somewhere on KEB's site there is a list of branches that have English speaking staff, called Global Centers or something like that. You can probably get what you need done at any branch though; KEB branches are pretty likely to have at least one English speaker, especially if you're in Seoul.

If you get a really patient teller, they can help you get your phone set up to manage your account. If not, you can do that later. There is an English help line for stuff like that.

Good luck.