How can I get access to my Chinese ICBC bank account money from USA?
June 5, 2013 6:50 AM Subscribe
I have Euros in an ICBC account in China, I don't have online banking setup, and I signed, I have signed up for xe.com which didn't help, NYC has an ICBC branch, but I called and they said they can't access my Euros for me (is that true?)
What are my options? is there anyway I can get my money without physically travelling to china?
I have trusted friends in China, maybe I can add someone to my account from here? or power of attorney? or close my account and have them send me the money to america? any ideas are apreciated
Response by poster: AFAIK I called them and they said it's different systems, different money, unless that one person who answered the phone was misinformed, which seems highly likely
posted by crawltopslow at 7:08 AM on June 5, 2013
posted by crawltopslow at 7:08 AM on June 5, 2013
My experience with banks that operate in multiple countries has been that their systems are indeed entirely separate. You should contact ICBC in China and ask them what to do.
posted by grouse at 7:31 AM on June 5, 2013
posted by grouse at 7:31 AM on June 5, 2013
Short answer: yeah, you'd probably better contact them, or get a locally-based friend to do so.
Brainstorming anyway in case it's any help:
They have telephone banking as well as online banking, but it looks as if setting either up would require an in-person appointment.
Apparently there's no difference between accounts opened in China and those opened in Canada... are you anywhere near the border? Would it be worth calling a Canadian branch to see if they could help you?
If you have a valid Chinese ID card and you're willing to send it to one of your trusted friends in China, this FAQ entry suggests they would be able to act on your behalf, to a limited extent. Probably best to contact them first and check whether that includes international transfers.
If you have a debit card for the account, you can probably withdraw cash using it at ATMs that take UnionPay... might take a while to withdraw the lot, and you wouldn't get a stellar exchange rate, and there'd probably be fees, but depending on how many euros we're talking about, perhaps it's still a cheaper option than flying to China.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 8:26 AM on June 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
Brainstorming anyway in case it's any help:
They have telephone banking as well as online banking, but it looks as if setting either up would require an in-person appointment.
Apparently there's no difference between accounts opened in China and those opened in Canada... are you anywhere near the border? Would it be worth calling a Canadian branch to see if they could help you?
If you have a valid Chinese ID card and you're willing to send it to one of your trusted friends in China, this FAQ entry suggests they would be able to act on your behalf, to a limited extent. Probably best to contact them first and check whether that includes international transfers.
If you have a debit card for the account, you can probably withdraw cash using it at ATMs that take UnionPay... might take a while to withdraw the lot, and you wouldn't get a stellar exchange rate, and there'd probably be fees, but depending on how many euros we're talking about, perhaps it's still a cheaper option than flying to China.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 8:26 AM on June 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
You can do a wire transfer from China to a bank in the US. Or write a check into your account.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 9:46 AM on June 5, 2013
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 9:46 AM on June 5, 2013
Response by poster: Ruthless bunny I don't think you read the question. I can't do a wire transfer from USA.
posted by crawltopslow at 10:07 AM on June 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by crawltopslow at 10:07 AM on June 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
Maybe, even though the local branch cannot help directly, if you go in and sit with a rep they can work with the ICBC in China with you sitting there. Maybe the local US branch could serve to verify your identity and such to set up online banking or a method you could access it. It sounds like the issue is not so much they won't allow you to access the Euros, but that it is not set up to do it and setting it up requires it be done in China or that they can verify you are who you say you are.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:19 AM on June 5, 2013
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:19 AM on June 5, 2013
Ruthless bunny I don't think you read the question. I can't do a wire transfer from USA.
I read the question and I don't see where it says that.
Here are other Options:
1. Have ICBC send you an ATM card. You can use it in the US.
2. Have ICBC send you checks or counter-checks.
3. Have ICBC send you an International Money Order
4. Inter-Bank Deposit and Withdrawl
5. Remittance Express using Internet Banking.
6. ICBC Currency Exchange
7. Cross Boarder Outward Remittance
Also, you may have deposited Euros, but it's possible that they were converted to 元 upon deposit. If you access using your ATM card, at a US banking machine, the currency conversion will be automatic, and the fee nominal.
Do you have an instrument by which to access this account at all? Is it a savings or a checking account?
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 1:13 PM on June 5, 2013
I read the question and I don't see where it says that.
Here are other Options:
1. Have ICBC send you an ATM card. You can use it in the US.
2. Have ICBC send you checks or counter-checks.
3. Have ICBC send you an International Money Order
4. Inter-Bank Deposit and Withdrawl
5. Remittance Express using Internet Banking.
6. ICBC Currency Exchange
7. Cross Boarder Outward Remittance
Also, you may have deposited Euros, but it's possible that they were converted to 元 upon deposit. If you access using your ATM card, at a US banking machine, the currency conversion will be automatic, and the fee nominal.
Do you have an instrument by which to access this account at all? Is it a savings or a checking account?
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 1:13 PM on June 5, 2013
Response by poster: It's a checking account, I have my UnionPay Card here with me, where I can presumably withdraw 500 usd a day, but let me just say that won't suffice.
And I think for most of the things you suggested, I am pretty sure that they just request that I go into a physical branch to start the process.
I will call tomorrow, is there any number I can call where they are knowledgeable AND speak English?
posted by crawltopslow at 7:58 PM on June 5, 2013
And I think for most of the things you suggested, I am pretty sure that they just request that I go into a physical branch to start the process.
I will call tomorrow, is there any number I can call where they are knowledgeable AND speak English?
posted by crawltopslow at 7:58 PM on June 5, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by blob at 6:59 AM on June 5, 2013