Chionggirl in Shanghai

Sorry to have such a boring title. But it works, right? You responded to it :)

I am nearing to my full month of stay in Shanghai. Time really fiew/flies isn't it? As you know, when it hits the end of the month, it is the day many are happy about: Payday.

Banks in China can be spotted in most places, but there are MANY different banks, and sometimes, they sound really familiar. I had to create an account myself, and I decided to do it yesterday.

The first mistake I made was to not pay attention to the name of the bank that my HR/Accounts department told me. I had assumed that it was the ICBC bank that is right in front of my bus stop. Turns out it is the China Construction Bank, NEXT DOOR. Fortunately, creating an account with a bank card at any bank in China cost RMB15, and there is no minimum deposit required. ICBC is also a more popular bank with many atms littered all around town. So well, I guess I could keep this account. Good for me to manage my $$ too.

So since I have got the wrong bank, I went to the right one this morning to create my account. Apparently, you either open a passbook only account or a bankcard only account with this bank. Do check with your bank before you ended up like me, as I always do, I opened both accounts, just in case. But the guy over at the counter was kind enough to tell me that I can return to cancel off the passbook account if I do not have a need for it, as they will charge a RMB3 for 3 months of zero deposit in the passbook account. He could proabably tell that I will need a bank card so that i need not queue like the aunties and uncles with a passbook.

Items to bring with you when you open an account in China:

1) Passport

2) Get ready your contact details, your address.

3) They will require you to key in a 6-digit passwod for either passbook or bank card, so do get your numbers handy.

Overall, the service at the banks are fantastic, just like bank services should. The registration was fast and there are no major boo-boos that I encountered.

Next entry, getting my medical health check-up done...