42page

www.groovekorea.com / July 2014 42 AbOuT ThE WRITER Paul Sharkie is the Foreign Client Relationship Manager for Shinhan Bank’s Foreign Customer Department. Please visit Shinhan Expat Banking on Facebook for more information. The banking information provided in this column is based on Shinhan Bank policies and may not be applicable to all banks in Korea. — Ed. A couple of months ago I wrote about the problems many banking customers face when trying to manage their accounts from abroad. My conclusion, regular readers might recall, was that the best option for those who plan to leave Korea permanently is to simply close all their accounts before departing. Despite excellent products and services (often more competitive and rewarding than in other nations), rigorous legislation ultimately means that should you forget your passwords, a branch visit — in Korea — will be required to reset them. No exceptions. Furthermore, cards cannot be delivered abroad should you require a new one. Whether you’re out of the country temporarily or permanently, if you find yourself in a panic-stricken situation you will need to get in touch with your bank; yet many people simply do not know how. While some banks have better English infrastructure than others, all institutions offer ways to get in touch. Here’s how you can do it: shinhan Bank Who are they? Shinhan Bank (신한은행) is the largest subsidiary of the Shinhan Financial Group and is headquartered in Seoul. Although not the largest bank in Korea, it is the most profitable and has recently been recognized as the best domestic and private banking institution in the country. Industry publication The Banker recently ranked Shinhan as the No. 1 bank in Korea and 43rd best bank globally. Getting in touch Shinhan’s Foreign Language Call Center can be reached at 1577-8380 on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Shinhan Card’s Foreign Language Call Center is available at 1544- 7333 on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., though someone will be able to help you around the clock if your card is lost or stolen. If you happen to be abroad, call +82-2-3449-8380 on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. At all phone numbers, press 1 for English. Website shinhan.com/en Kookmin Bank (KB) Who are they? Kookmin Bank (국민은행) is one of the largest banks in Korea in terms of both asset value and market capitalization. They also have the largest branch presence on the peninsula. Getting in touch Domestically, call 1599-4477, and internationally, call +82-2-6300-9999. Tip Press 1 and then 0. Opening hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Website money.kbstar.com/quics?page=oeng ThE MONEY COLuMN Edited by Matthew Lamers (mattlamers@groovekorea.com) INSIGhT Column by Paul Sharkie / Illustration by Nicholas Stonehouse ReaCHIng out How to get In touCH wItH youR BanK fRoM anywHeRe