For those who have been following my recent rants about Citibank, I am not done yet. Let’s recap shall we? Let’s show the fine timeline that is Citibank Singapore.
First off – when we opened the UOB account, once we had our employment passes, it was <60 minutes from seat to ATM card with our names printed. We could get cash that same day! This is important - that same day I could go pull cash to verify the ATM card worked and begin using it to pay our bills. Citibank however, is not easy and I now wish I had never bothered. All this just to make it easier to transfer funds between here and the Citibank account we have in the US without fees or wire transfer costs. Actually, the Citibank account in the US took only 30 minutes but some of the crap is the same no ATM card for 2 weeks. Today is Wednesday, Sept. 19th. On Saturday Sept. 1st, we opened a Citibank account at a local branch near the City Hall MRT station. The entire process was at a desk without a PC. It was all paper. I should have realized then we were going to be stuck in a mess. Read my Sept. 2nd rant for the whole story but when we left, we were told we would have our ATM cards and Credit Cards within two weeks. Last week, literally almost two weeks later, I had to go back to re-sign a US W-9 form. Still no ATM card or credit cards. But we did get a checkbook the week before...that was promising. Yesterday, Sept 18th (18 days later), the ATM cards and credit cards came in the mail. I tried to finally access the website but didn't know the PIN! I thought maybe we entered it when we opened the account but that couldn't be right since the whole process had been paper. Hmmm. I tried the ones I know I use and then had to call Citibank on the phone because nothing worked. I was locked out. I was told the PIN comes in a separate mailer usually 2 days after the ATM card. I did not see any note about that in my ATM card mailer or I would have waited! Good job Citibank. But because I had already tried 3 times, I locked my account and they would have to mail me a brand new PIN (2-3 days) or I could go to the branch nearby for an immediate reset. Cool, I could at least do that. After all, we deposited a lump sum check in the account after opening that was a reimbursement for some of the things we had to buy when we moved here 2 months ago. It was not a small check. Today, before I could get to the local branch, YAW called me and said the other branch, where we opened the account, called to say her US W-9 form was incorrect. It had her married name, which is what we use for our taxes, but it needs her passport name which was used to open the account; her maiden name. Well, I'll pick up a blank form when I go for my PIN today. Easy! I go to the nearest Citibank. I get the PIN reset (after I fill out and sign a paper form). I go to the ATM and I can see my balance. I try to get cash. Nothing. I try again. Nothing. No cash. How can this be? I go back to the desk and they look at the account. Because of the problem with YAW's W-9 form, I can't fully access the account. I can't get any of our money. I can't get any cash. I can't write a check. I can't perform a transfer. Did I mention we deposited a lump sum that has been sitting there for almost 2 weeks that I can't touch! Are you kidding me (profanity removed)? After I finished a short rant on the poor customer service rep about the fact the W-9 form has to have YAW's married name, since that is how we file taxes, and them asking us to put her passport name is fraud (not really since SSN is on the form too), I calmed down, got the form and left. YAW signed two versions (just in case the name we think they want is wrong) and I will stop by the bank on Thursday. It will take another 1-2 days before we can access the funds. IF by Monday I can’t go to an ATM and get some cash, I may walk in and close the entire account. Actually, since YAW can’t go with me to turn in the form, if they give me crap tomorrow I may close the account right away and make them give me a check which I will immediately deposit in UOB. We can get our money there.
Unless there is a very valid reason to get an account with Citibank here, don’t bother. The paper process is antiquated and waiting 2 weeks to get any of your own money, if your lucky, is ridiculous when other Singapore banks can allow that immediately. Remember you need your employment pass and take your passport.
Other than that, another week is almost over so who knows how this will end up. I will of course add a part 4 later. Plus, I have a lot of food posts I better get caught up on. This weekend is the Formula 1 race series here and you can see some of the race course from our apartment. However, YAW needs a break and its time to hide-out. I’ll explain that adventure next week.
KAW