Singapore Expats

I have to tell you about my Citibank saga! I have a Citibank account in the US, so I wanted to get one here to get free transfers between accounts. I tried to get an account with them on 3 separate occasions before finding someone who could process my application. The first one did not have any idea of what he was doing, so I left. A week or so later, I went to another branch. This kid assured me the account would be ready in a few days. It took about a week and a half for this kid to tell me he couldn't do it. I gave Citibank one last try. This time I specifically asked for someone who knew what his job! This guy seemed to know a bit more but still wanted me to come back another day to finish the process. I told him that if I didn't get the account and atm card within 30 minutes, I would get an account at the competition next door. I finally got the account and card!

Wait, it gets better. I went to deposit 500 USD into my SGD account, which I was told was possible. The rate for that day should have resulted in a deposit of 611 SGD, however given the Citibank rate, the deposit was only 577 SGD! Therefore, I was charged 34 SGD for the privilege of depositing into their bank! What a rip off! I assume when I transfer SGD to my US account, there will be a similar rip off. If anyone knows of a better way to exchange SGD to USD, please reply. Thanks.

My experience with Citibank has been the exact opposite. I went to the "express" branch at Cityhall MRT and had an account open within 45 minutes. This is even after arguing about the US Treasury and IRS paperwork they insisted I fill out as a US citizen.

You didn't state the reasons they had problems with opening your account. Did you come in with passport, EP, offer letter/letter from your company HR stating salary and employment/pay stubs?

I've also always found their SGD -> USD conversion rate within 1% of whatever was the prevailing rate that day. I believe USD -> SGD is similar, but there is a US$11 charge for transactions in that direction. I haven't found anything cheaper, or faster (instant).

I had a citibank account in India. When i moved to Singapore Citibank SG was probably the only bank that helped me open an account with no house/address information. I really needed to get an account opened ASAP so that my company could deposit my salary.
I too went to the Citibank express branch at City Hall MRT and produced my passport,photos, My in principal approval letter and was issued a debit card, cheque book and 2 credit cards too.

Later when I went back home to visit, Citibank India helped me convert my accounts from savings accounts to NRE a/c's - Non resident Emigrant

Later from the citibank SG Internet portal I was able to link my the NRE account as well and start my overseas transfers for free.

I think the service was great! Citibank was perfect for me.

I also had tons of problems opening an account with them. It took almost 3 months to get my account functioning properly; I had all the necessary documents to open an account too. I went to the Jurong Branch and the one at Dhoby Guat. I feel like the employees are just grabbed off the street and told 'Here's your name tag!' The people who helped me also had no idea what the hell they were doing. If there was a problem in getting my account set up, no one would call to inform me. I was just 'supposed to know' as one employee told me.

Now that I've been through all that crap, I'm happy to have it to be able to transfer money back to the US.

try the city hall express banking next time they seem to be pretty efficient with minimum fuss about things
I too considered visiting the dhoby ghaut branch but it seemed terribly busy and ended up going to the city hall center.

No problems for me in the Asia Square branch - and I never see too many people in there.

A guy by the name of Gilbert helped me, and then chipped in to assist with some issues that I was having with a credit card application.

duckylucky wrote:If anyone knows of a better way to exchange SGD to USD, please reply. Thanks.

Go to a money changer - rates can't be beaten.
Best are the ones on the upper floor of Clifford Centre (Raffles Place).

beppi wrote:

duckylucky wrote:If anyone knows of a better way to exchange SGD to USD, please reply. Thanks.

Go to a money changer - rates can't be beaten.
Best are the ones on the upper floor of Clifford Centre (Raffles Place).

Agree 100%

JR8 wrote:

beppi wrote:

duckylucky wrote:If anyone knows of a better way to exchange SGD to USD, please reply. Thanks.

Go to a money changer - rates can't be beaten.
Best are the ones on the upper floor of Clifford Centre (Raffles Place).

Agree 100%

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