Shinsei, Aozora banks in merger talks

Sunday 26th April, 05:40 AM JST

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

› Login to comment

13 Comments

memyselfI at 08:17 AM JST - 26th April

I hate Shinsei Bank- It has one of the worst customer service complaints in Japan. Plus, you can't use the ATM card internationally. Why can't they devise a Debit Card System.
memyselfI at 08:18 AM JST - 26th April

Shinsei Bank is bad. Not great and reliable customer service.
some14some at 08:34 AM JST - 26th April

From two sick units to One Big Sick Unit that kind of merger is not desirable.
USB at 10:45 AM JST - 26th April

Plus, you can't use the ATM card internationally. Why can't they devise a Debit Card System.

I've used my shinsei card both in the Philippines and in the US with no problems at all. It is part of the Plus network. FREE transactions at 7/11 conbini and on-line transactions mean I never have go near one of their branches.
GW at 11:30 AM JST - 26th April

shinsei can rot for all I care, few yrs back shopping for a mortgage they were very nice & professional at the start then all of a sudden everything was off no hint as to why, the communication just stopped, in hind sight I am glad that I got my loan elsewhere, sayonara sayonara sayonara shinseiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Apsara at 01:51 PM JST - 26th April

"Plus, you can't use the ATM card internationally." memyselfI, what are you talking about? I have never had any problems using my Shinsei card in overseas ATMs. I have no complaints about their online banking service or ATMs, and I much prefer them to Tokyo-Mitsubishi, which my other account is with.
hoserfella at 03:42 PM JST - 26th April

Ditto, Apsara- theres one in every 7-11 with NO service charge. Also, I've never had a problem using it outside of Japan. I think memyselfI must have it confused with another bank
mojibake at 08:53 PM JST - 26th April

All these comments blasting Shinsei, but are they really any worse than any other Japanese bank? The rest of them are so horribly outdated, Shinsei actually doesn't seem so bad in comparison.
Kawasaki at 05:05 AM JST - 27th April

We never had problems with Shinsei, used the ATM card for withdrawals overseas, no problem... Are there any better banks in Japan that you guys recommend? Specifically I mean banks that cater to English-only speaking foreigners. I've heard good things about HSBC, but I think you need 100grand to open up an account there...
Altria at 09:49 AM JST - 27th April

Shinsei is great - no withdrawal fees and free online bank transfers.

This merger does sound like they're trying to create a giant "bad bank" though.
SaitamaGaijin at 11:43 AM JST - 27th April

I love shinsei Bank. I will stick with them for a while. I hope the merger will go smoothly
cracaphat at 02:58 PM JST - 27th April

Yo can't please everyone.
ultradodgy at 02:39 PM JST - 30th April

Altria - free, to a point (depending on your deposit size, only some transfers are reimbursed.)

Shinsei is a very mediocre bank in a country with very low standards for retail banking. Where many folks (including myself) get frustrated is with the massive self-promotion and borderline false advertising that Shinsei trumpets, with little to back it up.

Anyway, HSBC is fantastic. Yup, you need 10MY on balance to open the account. Let's not get into a typical JT rant about costs, price, etc, whatever. If you have the cash, I highly recommend HSBC. Internet banking is a breeze and you can even use it to wire internationally.