Banco popular new account as a gringo

[CristoRey]

Found a debit/ credit card on the sidewalk outside a bank in Sosua.
Went inside the bank to turn in the card.
Being suspicious I wanted a written receipt saying I turned in the card.
Bank refused so I told them no receipt I was not giving them the card.
Cut it up myself.
Hard to imagine them not giving a damn about protecting their customers accounts?

Wow!
That's crazy.
My good friend Karen was just telling me about a similar experience.

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

The issue is systemic. You'll be hard pressed to find a Dominican who commits to something. They don't want to be your witness, they don't want to recommend an electrician or lawyer. They don't want to recommend domestic help. They don't want to tell you how to fix your odd financial situation. They don't opine regarding your diatribe of the neighbor that blasts his music till 2am and no, they certainly won't go with you to court.

No one here wants anything to do with anyone else's issues. Most simply have no recourse for retribution. Gringos are "rights deserving". I demand my rights! I have rights! You can't do this! I'll take you to court! No better instances of gringos with rights more than an Everything surfs up febu page. Yeah, these folks don't want to be bothered in a world where 500 pesos gets you a screwdriver to the liver. Where families solve problems with machetes.

 

[JD Jones]

I don't have an acct in the Popular, although my wife does. I don't think I would have any issues opening an acct there though. I am a citizen , not American, easy proof of income and both the manager and asst manager are clients. I had no hassles opening an acct at the BHD, and that was before I was even a resident. There are lots of things I don't care about with the Dominican banks policies, but I have always had quick response to any issues and I get along with all the tellers. Of course I am there twice a day and do all the schools banking. I also am treated very politely at the Banco Popular. Usually if you are polite and friendly to people they are the same back to you.

Same here Bob. I am on a first-name basis with my Branch manager, sub-manager, and know most of the customer service folks by name.
I take a Christmas basket for them every year.
The times they changed managers, the outgoing and incoming both came to visit me at my office.
The last house I bought, I went to them to inform them and gave them the property info and the seller's name. They called me two weeks later and told me to come by to sign the documents. Their lawyers handled everything, and it was included in purchase price.
That's the kind of service one gets when they set up a relationship.
I am not a big customer. I simply took the time to get to know them.

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

Same here Bob. I am on a first-name basis with my Branch manager, sub-manager, and know most of the customer service folks by name.
I take a Christmas basket for them every year.
The times they changed managers, the outgoing and incoming both came to visit me at my office.
The last house I bought, I went to them to inform them and gave them the property info and the seller's name. They called me two weeks later and told me to come by to sign the documents. Their lawyers handled everything, and it was included in purchase price.
That's the kind of service one gets when they set up a relationship.
I am not a big customer. I simply took the time to get to know them.

Not every foreigner falls into your demographic JD. You've been here a loooong time. You probably have had an account before the new anti money laundering regs hit. The banks simply don't want much to do with opening new accounts for US citizens.

 

[NALs]

Same here Bob. I am on a first-name basis with my Branch manager, sub-manager, and know most of the customer service folks by name.
I take a Christmas basket for them every year.
The times they changed managers, the outgoing and incoming both came to visit me at my office.
The last house I bought, I went to them to inform them and gave them the property info and the seller's name. They called me two weeks later and told me to come by to sign the documents. Their lawyers handled everything, and it was included in purchase price.
That's the kind of service one gets when they set up a relationship.
I am not a big customer. I simply took the time to get to know them.

You could had ended right there. lol

I think anyone does that at any bank in the world and even the fake plants in the branch (if that branch has fake plants, lol) will remember you. lol

 

[malko]

You could had ended right there. lol

I think anyone does that at any bank in the world and even the fake plants in the branch (if that branch has fake plants, lol) will remember you. lol

Best service I have had at a bank, is a 100% online bank, strangely. As in no physical branches, so, obviously never met anyone in person. It's also my only bank with 0 fees. Brave new world out there.

Remember, a bank is a business, they want your money and data. I shouldn't have to pretend to be buddy buddy with Fulano the Bankster to get (sub par) service.

If I had to choose between cutting off a finger and dealing with a DR bank....... I would have a moment of hesitation..... 'nuff said

 

[AlterEgo]

I’ve told this story before….we bank with BHD. A few years ago, we arrived to deposit a check and they had locked our account due to over 3 months inactivity. What we went through to reopen it was a nightmare, because we both have American passports, it took days, a lot of paperwork and a million questions. When we’re not there, my BIL deposits $10 a month into our account to keep it open

 

[SantiagoDR]

I’ve told this story before….we bank with BHD. A few years ago, we arrived to deposit a check and they had locked our account due to over 3 months inactivity. What we went through to reopen it was a nightmare, because we both have American passports, it took days, a lot of paperwork and a million questions. When we’re not there, my BIL deposits $10 a month into our account to keep it open

We have a small value CD with our bank that deposits interest monthly to our account.
We asked before opening the account if that would keep it active.
The CD renews automatically.

So far no problems, its has at times been up to 1½ years without us using the account.

 

[bob saunders]

I’ve told this story before….we bank with BHD. A few years ago, we arrived to deposit a check and they had locked our account due to over 3 months inactivity. What we went through to reopen it was a nightmare, because we both have American passports, it took days, a lot of paperwork and a million questions. When we’re not there, my BIL deposits $10 a month into our account to keep it open

My wife's $US acct at BHD was locked due to inactivity; all it took was a text message to our accts manager and it was opened. took ten minutes.

 

[melphis]

The issue is systemic. You'll be hard pressed to find a Dominican who commits to something. They don't want to be your witness, they don't want to recommend an electrician or lawyer. They don't want to recommend domestic help. They don't want to tell you how to fix your odd financial situation. They don't opine regarding your diatribe of the neighbor that blasts his music till 2am and no, they certainly won't go with you to court.

No one here wants anything to do with anyone else's issues. Most simply have no recourse for retribution. Gringos are "rights deserving". I demand my rights! I have rights! You can't do this! I'll take you to court! No better instances of gringos with rights more than an Everything surfs up febu page. Yeah, these folks don't want to be bothered in a world where 500 pesos gets you a screwdriver to the liver. Where families solve problems with machetes.

You do realize that this is a thread about opening up a bank account at Banco Popular.
If you are getting "stabbed in the liver" at your bank I would suggest you switch banks.

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

You do realize that this is a thread about opening up a bank account at Banco Popular.
If you are getting "stabbed in the liver" at your bank I would suggest you switch banks.

My mind got away from myself!

 

[CristoRey]

I’ve told this story before….we bank with BHD. A few years ago, we arrived to deposit a check and they had locked our account due to over 3 months inactivity. What we went through to reopen it was a nightmare, because we both have American passports, it took days, a lot of paperwork and a million questions. When we’re not there, my BIL deposits $10 a month into our account to keep it open

Ban Reservas gives you one year before they do that.

 

[SantiagoDR]

You do realize that this is a thread about opening up a bank account at Banco Popular.
If you are getting "stabbed in the liver" at your bank I would suggest you switch banks.

Yes, that is true.

HOWEVER!

Information about active/dormant and other things to be aware of is probably quite helpful to the OP regardless of which bank they are interested in.

 

[melphis]

Ban Reservas gives you one year before they do that.

I believe they may have updated thier policy as this happened 2 weeks ago. Either that or they were sending these people on the gringo shuffle.
This couple would not have gone for a re-entry passport stamp unless they had to.

 

[zoomzx11]

My wife's $US acct at BHD was locked due to inactivity; all it took was a text message to our accts manager and it was opened. took ten minutes.

When you are widely know as the Pillar of Jarabacoa everyone bends over, eh bob.

Banked all my life with various US banks and never an issue.
Banks go out of the way and never require an ass kissing ceremony or flowers.
They knew it t was their job to provide the best possible service and not to service you in the agricultural sense of he word.

the idea of service does not exist in this country.
I remember buying an item in a local ferreteria that was defective and told my wife I was bringing it back whereupon she laughed with "this is not MIami", there are no refunds.

Next comes the "Pillar" who gets refunds all the time.
You get a toaster too when you opened the bank account?
My dad had those stories of gifts with each new account opened.
Here it should be a small bottle of personal lubricant.

 

[carlos]

When you are widely know as the Pillar of Jarabacoa everyone bends over, eh bob.

Banked all my life with various US banks and never an issue.
Banks go out of the way and never require an ass kissing ceremony or flowers.
They knew it t was their job to provide the best possible service and not to service you in the agricultural sense of he word.

the idea of service does not exist in this country.
I remember buying an item in a local ferreteria that was defective and told my wife I was bringing it back whereupon she laughed with "this is not MIami", there are no refunds.

Next comes the "Pillar" who gets refunds all the time.
You get a toaster too when you opened the bank account?
My dad had those stories of gifts with each new account opened.
Here it should be a small bottle of personal lubricant.

Stop trolling or you will be on a vacation from the site.

You have been warned.

 

[bob saunders]

When you are widely know as the Pillar of Jarabacoa everyone bends over, eh bob.

Banked all my life with various US banks and never an issue.
Banks go out of the way and never require an ass kissing ceremony or flowers.
They knew it t was their job to provide the best possible service and not to service you in the agricultural sense of he word.

the idea of service does not exist in this country.
I remember buying an item in a local ferreteria that was defective and told my wife I was bringing it back whereupon she laughed with "this is not MIami", there are no refunds.

Next comes the "Pillar" who gets refunds all the time.
You get a toaster too when you opened the bank account?
My dad had those stories of gifts with each new account opened.
Here it should be a small bottle of personal lubricant.

My wife brings things back to stores all the time and either gets a refund or an exchange.

 

[melphis]

When you are widely know as the Pillar of Jarabacoa everyone bends over, eh bob.

Banked all my life with various US banks and never an issue.
Banks go out of the way and never require an ass kissing ceremony or flowers.
They knew it t was their job to provide the best possible service and not to service you in the agricultural sense of he word.

the idea of service does not exist in this country.
I remember buying an item in a local ferreteria that was defective and told my wife I was bringing it back whereupon she laughed with "this is not MIami", there are no refunds.

Next comes the "Pillar" who gets refunds all the time.
You get a toaster too when you opened the bank account?
My dad had those stories of gifts with each new account opened.
Here it should be a small bottle of personal lubricant.

My brother got a 12 gauge Mossberg shotgun when we he opened a bank account in Texas several years ago. He insisted an employee walk it out to his car. Being originally from Canada it didn't make sense to him to be given a gun in a bank.

 

[AlterEgo]

Went to the Santiago colinas mall Banco Popular, was given a sheet of requirements. The bank officer was very vague about the requirements when asked. I must be approved by popular, please dont recommend another bank. Does anyone have experience with popular or better yet a connection at the bank to help fast track. Would rather not go back and forth many times if not necessary. Willing to go to any branch in Santiago. Thanks.

THIS ^^^ is what we’re supposed to reply to.

 

[melphis]

THIS ^^^ is what we’re supposed to reply to.

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Wow. You actually found a bank employee that was awake.👍👍
All jokes aside Banco Caribe has been really good the past 15 years. Not always perfect but really good.