Markit
Now I don't know where I read it, it may have been here on the forum and I've forgotten already - Alzheimer's, but I understand that if you take a Balinese friend with you to the BPD (bank pembangunan bali) a local bank here then anybody can open an account there and the charges and conditions are very good I'm told. No need for Kitas or any particular visa requirements.
I'm also told they are lousy for international banking but great for savings and the "usual" sort of banking stuff...
Does anybody have any detailed info? Thanks in advance. :)
mimpimanis
I opened bank accounts in Lombok without a Kitas without problem at BNI & BII. At the times - here on the forum some people were saying you had to have a KITAS, maybe so, and maybe I got away with it because in Lombok they are less used to Tourists.
Here in Bali I have opened another account and I was told then that I had to have a KITAS. That was okay as these days I do have one. I have never heard it said that you can open account if you bring a Balinese friend with you.
Jimbo
You cannot open an account without a KITAS. That is the banking law designed to stop illegal transfer of money. Having said that I did as have others.
A lot depends on who you know and what the individual banker wants to do. I was refused in many banks until I found a friend to help. It is the same if you want to buy a car or get a driving licence.
spicyayam
Do you think there is much risk doing this, if you open an account without a KITAS? Like if you ever had trouble with your money that they could just say the account was opened illegally in the first place?
Another question I have is what Indonesian bank seems to be the most foreigner friendly? Like internet banking in English and the best for doing international transfers etc.
calitobali
I don't doubt that it is entirely possible to open a bank account without a KITAS, although I think at most places it requires a little more than simply showing up with a local friend.
mimpimanis
[quote]Commonwealth Bank in Bali is connected to Australia's Commonwealth Bank (CBA). They have a name to protect [/quote]
A friend was telling me just recently how the Commonwealth bank in Australia, allowed her husbands bank account to be closed and funds moved to another person's bank account - on just the autharisation of a fax, which was not sent by him. ....
[quote]Another question I have is what Indonesian bank seems to be the most foreigner friendly? Like internet banking in English and the best for doing international transfers etc.[/quote]
BCA has internet banking.
aquaman
[quote=mimpimanis]
A friend was telling me just recently how the Commonwealth bank in Australia, allowed her husbands bank account to be closed and funds moved to another person's bank account - on just the autharisation of a fax, which was not sent by him. ....[/quote]
Sounds fishy to me...might be more to the story. But you never know all banks make stuff ups.
mimpimanis
No - not fishy. Though there is more to the story (but not my place to go into details here)- but a fax was sent by a third party and the account was closed on the basis of that and funds were put into that party's account. The bank did refund all the money once it was proved that the fax was not from the account holder.
aquaman
[quote=spicyayam]Do you think there is much risk doing this, if you open an account without a KITAS? Like if you ever had trouble with your money that they could just say the account was opened illegally in the first place?
Another question I have is what Indonesian bank seems to be the most foreigner friendly? Like internet banking in English and the best for doing international transfers etc.[/quote]
As others have said opening an account without a KITAS has been done but I had the same thought as you...if something happens, whatever that may be (visa problem, arguement with the branch manager etc etc,) is there a chance you won't be able to get your money back?? In your case Spicy or others in similar position you have an Indo wife/gf don't you? Open the a/c in her name. You can always retain funds in an overseas a/c in your own name if you or others had concerns about who holds the money in the relationship (not suggesting anything untoward here :lol: ).
Re: your second point...... the Commonwealth Bank in Bali is connected to Australia's Commonwealth Bank (CBA). They have a name to protect so that's one I would consider. Btw their ATMS spit out $3m IDR in $100K notes and are now only charging $2aud overseas transaction fees for Ozzy CBA a/c holders (better than the $12aud iI got charged at a non Commonwealth Bank ATM in Bangkok last month :evil:
Just some quiet thoughts :wink:
gilbert de jong
""Does anybody have any detailed info? Thanks in advance.""
No matter what nationality you are or to which bank you go, if you bring enough $$$ they will open an account for you :lol :lol:
Not you as an individual would be wrong, but all the people who handle your paperwork at the bank would be wrong in accepting you as an client...so no way they could hold your funds with the comment "the account was illegaly opened in the first place"
international banking and internet banking, I personally use either the BCA or the Mandiri. both in English..and no long delays (holding your money on a transit account) or strange fee's!
friendly greetings...Gilbert.
motormouth
I opened an account @ 2 months ago with Permata in Denpasar. As I don't have a Kitas, I don't need to work here, I just had to prove that I had been in Bali for a period of more than 2 months in the past 2 years. My passport was photocopied and I then had an account with the bank.As for sending money from here to Australia, Permata and Mandiri get the money to Oz the next day...pretty impresive. Another bank I used years ago took 1 week to get money transfered to Oz.
Jimbo
My friend was the bank manager :D I have no worries about the bank as I have had lots of corresspondence with then and transfer money to them from abroad and also to other Indonesian banks without problem.
If you do not trust them and do not have a KITAS and strictly want to follow the law well....... it has already been stated so you takes your choice. Going to a bank and saying I want to open an illegal account but you have to give me a garantee is not going to do the trick :D
gilbert de jong
@jimbo
just for argument sake...if one goes to a bank to open an account and doesnt have a kitas...and the bank doesnt ask for one...who's wrong???
Jimbo
Gilbert
In this case I would say the bank as they know the law but ignorance of the law is no excuse so both could be wrong in the eyes of the law.
As for me I will not worry about it too much.
gilbert de jong
Okidoki Jimbo..same here, i'm not worried at all,answer to the question of spicyayam.
but then again I have a kitas :lol: .
