Banks in Korea are open from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday. ATMs (often called 365 Corner) are open at each bank after business hours. When you wish to open a bank account, go to the appropriate teller, and make sure you have your passport, Resident Registration Card and money for your initial deposit.
Deposits and Withdrawals
Deposits and withdrawals with a teller
Fill in the deposit or withdrawal form. Withdrawals require your signature and PIN number.
Epositing and withdrawing money at ATMs
You can do this by bankbook or bankcard. If you wish to use your bankbook to deposit or withdraw money from the ATM, notify a teller, as they need to make some changes in your bankbook to allow you to do so. Withdrawing money with a bankbook or bankcard requires a PIN number. If the PIN number is entered incorrectly 3 times, you can’t use the bankbook or card. A fee is charged for the use of an ATM that does not belong to your own bank or if you use an ATM after business hours.
Internet banking
You can do your banking online, but you will need a digital authentication from KFTC (Korea Financial Telecommunications and Clearings Institute), which needs to be saved on your computer. You also need a security card (sometimes called “secret card”) issued by your bank.
You can deposit or withdraw money with your bankbook or bankcard from ATM machines.
Tele-banking
You will need a card with a unique pass code issued by your bank and a PIN number.
Remittances
If you want to transfer money to your home country, you need to get the information about a bank account in your home country in the name of someone in your family. The receiver’s name, address, telephone number, name of the receiver’s bank and account number need to be given. Go to the foreign currency desk at the bank and show your Resident Registration Card.
Paying for Utilities
Utilities include electricity, gas and water. You can pay utility bills and your residence tax at a bank or post office. If you pay for the bill at a bank, you can choose one of the following methods:
Automated utility payment machine
Payment in person
You can pay for the bill by visiting a bank with the bill. Nowadays, people like to use the automatic payment machine. You will need to have your bankbook.
Automatic Withdrawals
You can pay the bill by automatic withdrawal (money is automatically transferred from your account to the utility company). You can apply for this at the bank or by making a phone call to the utility bill issuer. Be sure you have enough money in your bank account to pay the bill, or there will be an additional charge for insufficient funds.