Currency and Money Exchange Traveler s Check Opening an Account Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) Credit Card Internet Banking

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1 Taiwan has almost as many banks as it has convenience stores, with 37 domestic banks, 32 foreign banks, and a total of more than 3,000 branches providing deposits and withdrawals, remittances, loans, bills collection, and trading in all kinds of financial products. In addition, approximately 1,300 post offices also provide savings, remittance, and other financial services. Banking hours are 9:00-15:30, and post offices are generally open 8:00-17:30. The banks are closed on Saturdays and Sundays, but there are plenty of ATMs providing services 24 hours a day, every day. Currency and Money Exchange Traveler s Check Opening an Account Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) Credit Card Internet Banking

2 Currency and Money Exchange Currency The currency used in Taiwan is the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$), and the basic unit is Yuan. Bank notes come in denominations of NT$2,000, NT$1,000, NT$500, NT$200, and NT$100 (NT$2,000 and NT$200 bills are very rare, however), all having different sizes, colors, and designs. Coins come in denominations of NT$50, NT$20, NT$10, NT$5, and NT$1. NT$2,000 NT$1,000 NT$500 NT$200 NT$100 74

3 NT$50 NT$20 NT$10 NT$5 NT$1 Money Exchange Foreigners who come to Taiwan to sightsee or live and need to exchange foreign cash or traveler s checks for New Taiwan Dollars can go to an authorized foreign exchange bank or a bank that is authorized to deal in foreign cash and traveler s checks. The foreign currencies that a bank can handle, the fees it charges, and their exchange rates are not exactly the same. There may even be a difference in currencies handled by a headquarters bank and its branches. Checking first on the Internet, and then by telephone, are recommended. Foreigners should present their passports or Alien Resident Certificates when exchanging money, and the bank will collect a small processing fee. International tourist hotels also provide exchange services. Changing on the black market could lead to being cheated or running afoul of the law. With the promulgation of the Rules for the Establishment of Designated Foreign Currency Exchange Bureaus by the Bank of Taiwan, and for Dealing in Foreign Currency in February 2006, tourist hotels, travel agencies, department stores, handicraft stores, 75

4 jewelry stores, convenience stores, national scenic area administrations, visitor centers, railway stations, temples, and museums, along with other organizations that provide services to foreign travelers in Taiwan as well as ordinary hotels and stores in remote areas, are also allowed to apply for handling foreign exchange. Except for tourist hotels, establishments that exchange money display a standard Money Exchanger sign, in Chinese and English, outside their doors. For the rate of exchange, check a bank website. Foreign Exchange Banks Designated by the Central Bank (DBU) Bank Telephone Website Bank of Taiwan Taiwan Cooperative Bank frame_eng.htm First Bank Chang Hwa Bank Hua Nan Commercial Bank Shanghai Commercial and Savings Bank web/common/english Citibank Taiwan eng_default.jsp html Land Bank of Taiwan Cathay United Bank english/eindex.htm Mega International Commercial Bank Traveler s Check Not many general businesses in Taiwan accept traveler s checks. We recommend that you take your passport and identity documents with you, and exchange your traveler s checks for New Taiwan Dollars at a bank. Most banks provide this service. 76

5 Opening an Account Opening an NT Dollar deposit account in Taiwan is quite simple. Just take your passport bearing a legal entry visa (or stamp), together with an ARC (if you haven t yet received your ARC, go to a county/ city service center of the National Immigration Agency and apply for a Record of ID Number in the ROC to use as a substitute). In general, when you open an account you can apply for a bank card at the same time for deposit, withdrawal or transfering funds. Different banks use different procedures; for details, check with the individual bank. Using Bank Cards in Taiwan Withdrawal Restrictions Funds Transfer Restrictions Card Replacement Process Card Replacement Fees Withdrawals are in multiples of NT$100; maximum withdrawal per transaction is NT$30,000 (NT$20,000 for interbank withdrawal), and maximum withdrawal per day is NT$100,000. Transfers are limited to NT$30,000 per day (without prior arrangement); transfers of more than NT$30,000 must be prearranged with the bank in which the account resides, the maximum transfer per transaction is NT$2 million. (Each bank sets its own daily maximum for transfers.) If you lose your bank card, you can use your bank s 24- hour lost-card telephone line to report your lost card and stop payment. You also need to fill out a lost-card and stop-payment form as soon as possible. Different banks collect different fees for card application, lost card, and replacement card; for details, check with the individual bank. 77

6 Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) Outside of banks, you can find ATMs in major railway stations, airports, convenience stores, petrol stations, and large shops, providing 24-hour service. Besides withdrawing cash, to transfer funds, and pay taxes, a utility bill, telecommunications bill, transportation fee or fine, tuition, credit-card bill or insurance premium, all you need to do is go to an ATM. If you make an interbank withdrawal (that is, withdrawal from an ATM that does not belong to your bank) you will be charged a small fee for each transaction. Most ATMs offer interface in both Chinese and English, making them easy to use. Credit Cards Foreign residents can apply for international credit cards in Taiwan without regard to their length of stay. In general, a copy of your passport and ARC, along with a completed application form, are required. Each issuing bank has its own rules about guarantors; and the period of validity of your card, and its charge limit, will be determined by such factors as your residence, income, and assessment of your debt repayment ability. Internet Banking Most of Taiwan s major banks offer Internet banking services. Foreigners who have accounts in local banks can go personally to the bank in which they have an account with their valid passport, ARC (or if they have not yet received their ARC, a Record of ID Number in the ROC obtained from a county/city service center of the National Immigration Agency), and specimen chop (or signature), and apply to use its Internet banking services. 78