Bangkok--21 Jun--KASIKORNBANK
KASIKORNBANK, in cooperation with Barclays Wealth, now offers a convenient way for students who wish to study in the United Kingdom to open a deposit account in the country, reducing the paperwork and communication difficulties of opening a deposit account abroad. Students will have a local deposit account ready upon arriving in the United Kingdom, increasing safety by removing the need to carry a large amount of cash while traveling.
Mr. Songpol Chevapanyaroj, Corporate and SME Products Division Head of KASIKORNBANK, said the Bank has continually developed global funds transfer services in order to provide convenience for both corporate and retail customers. KBank has recently penetrated the market of students who are planning to study abroad. Joining hands with Barclays Wealth, the Bank offers convenience for customers by offering Ready Account UK, which allows students to open a Barclays Wealth deposit account in Thailand before traveling to the United Kingdom. This will largely reduce difficulties students have faced in opening a deposit account abroad by themselves, including seeking a personal guarantor for account opening, document preparation, and communication. KBank is the first and only Thai bank to offer the service.
Customers applying for this service will be provided two options: First, the International Student Account is a current account through which customers will get an ATM card of Barclays Wealth that can be used in the United Kingdom, as well as other privileges from the bank. Other privileges include a free checkbook that can be used in the country, the right to use Pound Sterling (GBP)-denominated International Online and Telephone Banking service, waiver of inter-Barclays Wealth accounts funds transfer fee, waiver of fees for foreign currency exchange and travelers’ check purchase, and waiver of the account maintenance fee.
Second, Premium International Student and Family Service is a savings account attached to a current account by which customers can deposit a large sum of money in the savings account to get interest, and transfer money from the savings account to the current account via Barclays Wealth’s electronic banking service. In addition, customers using this package will be automatically approved to receive a Barclaycard Platinum. Other privileges include overdraft limits, an international concierge service and use of the International Online and Telephone Banking service denominated in other currencies.
Eligible applicants must be students who are about to study in the United Kingdom for no less than 9 months. The first deposit will be automatically transferred to the Barclays Wealth account by KBank. Thus, money will be ready as soon as students arrive. Those less than 18 years of age can open only a Premium International Student and Family Service account. Interested persons can contact any of KBank’s 14 International Trade Services Offices, or ask for more information at the K Contact Center, 0 2888 8888, or E-mail:
[email protected]
Mr. Songpol added that most international students in the United Kingdom always purchase drafts or carry a large sum of cash on their first trip to the country for daily spending, housing rental, and tuition fees. After arrival in the United Kingdom, opening a deposit account requires a complicated and difficult procedure. The Ready Account UK service, jointly offered by KBank and Barclays Wealth, will reduce such difficulties and provide safety to customers, who will no longer need to carry a large amount of cash while traveling. Students will have a deposit account ready for use anywhere in the United Kingdom.
The account will be opened at Barclays Wealth’s Knightsbridge Branch, London. Customers can use an ATM card linked to the account at most bank branches and ATMs in the United Kingdom free of charge.