US Government Pension transfer

[Minuteman]

Does anyone know of a reputable bank in Indonesia that uses a 16 digit account number, either checking or savings?

I cannot receive my pension here as the sending unit in the US requires a 16 digit account number for Indonesia. I had one with my ANZ account but they have been taken over by the DBS Bank and so I no longer have a 16 digit account number.

Google search hasn't really helped so my next plan is to start calling different banks.

Any ideas or knowledge would be helpful.

Thanks,

 

[snpark]

try starting or ending it with 00000 etc

 

[Minuteman]

try starting or ending it with 00000 etc

They are trying to run it through again with that solution. Hope it works.

 

[waarmstrong]

I guess it worked. Ain't technology wonderful?

 

[Minuteman]

I guess it worked. Ain't technology wonderful?

Nope. Didn't go through. Will have to call them again tonight.

 

[jukung11]

I would assume any of the American and International banks doing business in Indonesia. Bank of America, Citi, and HSBC come to mind. Even if they don't have a 16 digit account number, you could open a U.S. account and transfer it to the Indonesian affiliate account for a small fee. At least you could a few years ago. IIRC it was $10 per $1000 transferred, but that was a few years ago. I haven't researched it in a couple years.


Another popular option is a Capital One or Schwab account because they have no foreign transaction fees. Great exchange rates too. Depending on how much you are transferring a month, you can just withdraw it from ATMs.

 

[jstar]

If it is really a stupid issue with amount of digits and you dont want to take Jukung’s route, it seems only BTN is left...

Data jumlah digit dari Rekening Bank yang saya punya :

• Rekening BCA = 10 Digit
• Rekening BRI = 15 Digit
• Rekening Bank Mandiri = 13 Digit
• Rekening Bank Syariah Mandiri (BSM) = 10 Digit
• BTN = 16 Digit
• BNI (punya istri) = 10 Digit

http://blog.rivaekaputra.com/2017/12/24/jumlah-digit-rekening-bank-bca-mandiri-bri-bsm-dsb/

I don’t have an account with them so I can’t confirm this but it won’t hurt to check. Their SWIFT code is BTANIDJAXXX. Normally XXX represents the branch code.

https://www.btn.co.id/en

 

[Balifrog]

Not sure its only to do with number of digits.

Maybe an issue of some countries not being in the IBAN (International Bank Account Number) system.
I have the same issue if I want sent money from France to Thailand.
I can not use the system of their application or website as IBAN field is mandatory. Only way is to write a written, signed order for international transfer (using the swift code) and send it to my bank. Used to be they accepted it scanned by email, but now they need the original by mail...
Not.really convenient when mail takes 3 weeks from Bali to France.
On the other hand HSBC HK, will on their application and website accept transfers to Thailand using the IBAN bank code .
Not yet have an account here, but pretty sure its the same situation as R.I. is not in the IBAN system.

 

[Minuteman]

Thanks folks. I am planning a look into the BTN bank, also HSBC if the present bank is not good to go. The Feds just sent another transfer so will see next week if it goes. On the SSA form, it says an account number "UP TO 16 digits..". So the VA are checking into that as they both use the same IDD procedure.

 

[waarmstrong]

Good luck. Hope you are successful, not least because then you can then clue in the rest of us who may have a similar need one of these days.

 

[Davita]

Seems complicated to have any Gov't send pensions to foreign countries. UK and Canada are the same.

Why not have a USA bank account and have the pension paid there...then transfer/exchange, when needed, into an Indonesian bank.

For example: my 2 UK GBP Gov't pensions are paid into HSBC UK and I use Transferwise to credit my Indonesian HSBC IDR account when the rate is good. It always arrives in a couple of days. Similarly a small Canadian Gov't pension I receive.

I can also transfer freely from UK into a GBP account in HSBC JKT but to exchange into IDR I find the Transferwise rate is always better than the bank. When traveling to other countries I've also taken GBP cash from that account in JKT.

Given the volatility of exchange rates I now wish I'd opened a USA$ account in JKT...have to think about that in future.

 

[jstar]

Yes, but the problem is that there still is no worldwide standardization.

Between banks in countries that use the IBAN with BIC system, transfers and payments are a piece of cake.

With SWIFT (=BIC) combined with account number there are much more issues. Often there is a necessity for a branch code (e.g. Indonesia and the BSB / Bank-State-Branch of Australia).

For certain Indonesian banks you add a branch code behind the SWIFT/BIC, with others it has to go in front of the account number. Also, western online banking systems often work differently, some have that facility built-in.

 

[steveandpenny]

Are we talking about a private pension or social security? Cause if you are talking social security it won't happen. Though you can have your check deposited online in many foreign countries Indonesia is not one of them .
If it's a private pension the main problem as you are finding out is the states use a routing number and Indonesia uses a swift code. Swift code is used thought out Asia but not in the states.
One other thing dont bother with bank of America in Indonesia it only for business accounts and won't handle personal accounts...I asked them about it 3 years ago.
If you want to know how we do it drop me a personal message and I'll go thought it with you. I have both a personal pension and social security.

 

[drbrucepk]

I used to use bank of America for my social security deposits, but I've had so many problems with them over the years that I opened a State Department Federal Credit Union account. My payments are sent there, and I use Transferwise.com to send the funds to one of my Indonesian banks. SDFCU is great, easy to work with online and you get a debit card that can be used anywhere without having to call the US like BofA has always made me do.

 

[Minuteman]

Got it all sorted out. Full name, Rupiah account....bingo!

 

[steveandpenny]

Got it all sorted out. Full name, Rupiah account....bingo!

Good to hear it . Can I ask if your check is being direct deposited into your account?

 

[Minuteman]

Yes, IDD to my Rp account.

 

[Minuteman]

Good to hear it . Can I ask if your check is being direct deposited into your account?

Yes, IDD to my Rp account. They use the same system as the SSA so was able to use that as a guide.