ATM Withdrawal from USA Debit Card

[javasatu]

Hi Forum Members,

I formerly banked with First Republic Bank and they had no ATM withdrawal fees locally and internationally. Unfortunately, Chase Bank bought out First Republic Bank due to the bank crisis with Silicon Valley Bank.

I was wondering if anyone in this forum can recommend a San Francisco bank, institution credit union, etc., to avoid the international ATM withdrawal fee from a debit card. I am aware that Chase Bank has a program where customers can waive ATM fees for a minimum of $75K but I have my investment in other institutions. Also, I hate to online transfer every month with a $40.00 international wire fee.

I forgot to mention that I currently live in San Francisco and my wife lives in Jakarta (long story). My wife needs an ATM with no service charge/small fee so she can buy groceries, pay the utilities, etc.

Currently, she uses UOB Indonesia credit card and BCA Bank and currently banking with Chase and Bank of America.

Any recommendation to the above would be very helpful. Thanks in advance.

 

[Balifrog]

My wife needs an ATM with no service charge/small fee so she can buy groceries, pay the utilities, etc.

Currently, she uses UOB Indonesia credit card and BCA Bank and currently banking with Chase and Bank of America.

Any recommendation to the above would be very helpful. Thanks in advance.

Transfer money from the US to her account using WISE. Very cheap.

 

[harryopal1]

As Balifrog suggests, transfer with Wise. You can check out fees and exchange rates without making any commitment or providing personal data by opening their website Wise.com. You can enter a theoretical amount to transfer and immediately see costs and all relevant information. Transfers from my Australian account to a BCA account is done within minutes.

 

[Hawk256]

Transfers from the US to Indondesia are completly free with Bank of America as long as you change currency. The rate is always competitive and it happens overnight. No need to worry about US debit card charges in that case. Also have the benfit of not having a 3rd party to chase down in the event of a problem. And yes there have been reported problems when using a 3rd party. Quick search here should give you the info you need,

 

[javasatu]

Hi Hawk, Thanks for your recommendation. Could you please elaborate on the process to wire transfer from Bank of America? I also bank with Bank of America, NA.

 

[harryopal1]

No fees but it would be worth checking the exchange rate difference say for today for the rupiah if sending by Bank of America or Wise.

 

[Hawk256]

Hi Hawk, Thanks for your recommendation. Could you please elaborate on the process to wire transfer from Bank of America? I also bank with Bank of America, NA.

Just either go into the app or web page and select external wire transfer. The first time you send to a new account it will verify it for you and then keep it in your history for future use. After the first transfer, litterly a few clicks to send the money and it shows up the next day in Indoneisa. When dealing with US accounts, the Indonesian banking system has to manually approve the transfer if it's over a certian amount so never expect an instant transfer from the US.

 

[javasatu]

Hi Hawk, many thanks.