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Home - Question Forum
bank fees killing me
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Dear visitor, if you know the answer to this question,
please post it. Thank you!

bank fees killing me 2009/7/11
United States
I live in Osaka, but get paid in US dollars to a US bank account. I can't change how/where I get paid. I use ATM to get my money and pay 1000 to 2000 yen each transaction--at least 4 times a month.

Does anybody know how to send foreign funds TO a Japanese bank account without obscene transaction fees?

My banks are Bank of America and Sumitomo Mitsui!

Thanks for any advice!

by weissmann  

shinsei 2009/7/12
try shinsei, their bank accounts let you deposit money as USD or various other currencies then convert it to yen when you want. ask them about it at a branch, they have a few in each major city in japan
by Winterwolf (guest) rate this post as useful

Or on the same page 2009/7/12
Or on the same page as Winterwolf's advice, if possible, setup a different US bank account that doesn't charge you a transaction fee for using foreign ATMs.

I've used this example before but I had IndyMac Bank until last summer (when it unfortunately went BOOM) but I never had any transaction fees charged for any ATM usage whether it was at the post office or 7-11 ATMs. It was a really great service and convenient because their exchange rate was usually just the rate set by the market the day before (with no extra fees taken off). I'm sure there are other banks that offer a similar service.

Of course, in this day and age, it probably isn't the best idea to deposit all of your salary in there but I'm sure your company will allow you to just deposit a certain percentage of your salary every month to different accounts...

by Bean (guest) rate this post as useful

. 2009/7/12
Even with Shinsei Bank or any other bank, there's still a charge of around 3000-4000 yen for the person Sending the money to you (regular bank charges, international wire transfers). Unless the persons bank (on the US side) doesn't charge anything to send internationally.

by Express Train (guest) rate this post as useful

Bank Fees 2009/10/2
I am experiencing the same problem with Mitsui Sumitomo. What a rip off. My wife who is a Sumitomo customer (for twenty years) as of August 2009 will be charged for all deposits to her account except those made at her branch. Not to mention fees for transfers international and domestic.

Try Citibank Osaka. We were told they did not charge for international deposits and domestic transfers were 350 Yen.

Good luck.

by rwsplace rate this post as useful

. 2009/10/2
Perhaps you can set up a paypal account or 2. It converts currency and it's easy to use and free.
by K-S (guest) rate this post as useful

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