bro u got your debit card already?

no one inform me anything... already more then 7 days

Just arrived today the debit card. I applied on 1 February. So that's like 16 days

Branch will call u?

Nope. Zero calls from maybank. Debit card was sent to my Malaysian address registered with Maybank.

Application was done through website. And maybank SG did ask purpose of account opening via email, and that's it.

No calls.

Hmm okies. Hope will arrive safely. Im not around for sometimes. Will be outstation

Last time when they send the debit card and account activation details (which includes sensitive first-time login password/access key) I was not at home and the postman threw a notification letter asking me to go to the stipulated post office to collect the mail myself.

So, Maybank SG requires you to collect the sensitive first-time access key mail in person (the rest like debit card, welcome letter etc. will just be thrown into your mailbox as usual, without in-person verification).

Not sure whether this is the case now.

First time access is now sent via sms and email after approval which takes around 1-2 days after application. Only debit card via post.

This post has been edited by Mr Gray: Feb 18 2023, 07:45 PM

Ah good to know. Thanks for the update.

for me, I apply at the Maybank branch, so I will receive 4 letter from Maybank SG separately, 2 letter+2 letter

Ah I spot the difference now. If apply at branch, "letters" mailed "offline", if applied online, everything except debit card settled online via email/SMS.

before I apply online but system cannot proceed, so I apply at Maybank Malaysia branch, I receive 2 letter already, now left 2 letter

Hey everyone just a heads up.
There may be a way to open an account with UOB now too.

If you search on Google "I am a foreigner. I would like to know the requirements of opening a personal account with UOB."

It outlines what you need.

I went into a UOB branch and the front door person told me repeatedly it's not possible must have Singpass, need address here must be working here. All the usual default responses.

She then referred me to the security guard who also told me it's not possible.

I just kept showing them this link on their site. Eventually they referred me to another member of the team.

Short answer is, it looks like it's possible.

Seems like they want me to start a fixed deposit for 5 years or invest into a mutual fund that can be withdrawn at my choosing.

Can split between the two.

The bank staff gave an example of investing into their mutual fund made up of US stocks + other countries. Then if the market does well she said some clients withdraw in 1 - 2 years.

At the same time she said you get a bank account with a minimum $1,000 SGD balance required. Sounds like their "UOB One" product.

I haven't got the amounts to invest yet.

But maybe there's an option with UOB now too?

Will report back when I find out more.

Maximize the portion in FD, minimize the portion in that "mutual fund". (If I understand correctly, UOB SG FD has no penalty for early withdrawal, so at most you lose say 1-year interest if you withdraw 1 year later, provided the amount is small).

Did they say how much you need to invest in either FD/mutual fund? Hopefully not the 30-50k range we see here all too often.

Yes, UOB One account is good enough. That's their "flagship" product and direct answer to DBS Multiplier/OCBC 360.

The only unfortunate thing is you will have to tie up 1k SGD inside all the time earning peanut interests.

This post has been edited by TOS: Feb 19 2023, 09:31 AM

before I email to UOB SG for foreigner, one requirement is reference letter from UOB SG introducer, this I cannot met

This post has been edited by lyyera96: Feb 19 2023, 09:26 AM

Thank you, sound advice regarding the FD vs mutual fund

Haven't got the fine print yet but at least I got past the front door and talking to someone who isn't just saying "can't can't can't"

No amount yet, she's going to get back to me on this. But will report back when I get an update.

But I'm hopeful it's not something crazy, at least it isn't one of those premier banking accounts that needs to maintain 20K - 100K+ on the account.

I went into another UOB branch last week and they told me they have an option for foreigners but it's 20K and someone would call me to discuss options (no call yet).

That's okay I can live with $1K in the account, the alternative is leaving it in Ringgit and potentially seeing it depreciate in terms of global purchasing power.

When I went into the branch they really bring up that point. So I haven't got that far into the process yet.

The other option on the site says OR "A Letter of Reference from a Bank whereby the customer is currently having an existing banking relationship with the Bank itself"

The language would seem to suggest a letter from a bank where the foreigner resides eg. if you bank at Maybank MY then would need a letter from Maybank.

today I got another 2 letter from Maybank SG, security token device and Maybank SG debit card (is Master Card), finally got my debit card safely

This post has been edited by lyyera96: Feb 19 2023, 02:38 PM

I won't be opening uob even if possible cause I already have DBS My account which is a very good account. So far no products on the market can match DBS My account.

No worries, to each their own.

If it's an option, it's good to have that choice in case other people get rejected from DBS.

It seemed like reading the past replies that only DBS was an option for an SG bank so just wanted to let everyone know there is potentially an alternative.

Ok.