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Bank Account for Remote Worker

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 6:44 pm
by JSON
Hi,

I am South African but work remotely for an Aussie company.

I have been traveling South East Asia for over 2 years and am looking at opening a bank account in Cambo.

I currently receive monthly payments in AUD but these end up in my SA bank account in ZAR.

This is my primary account used on my travels (bit of an F-up as ZAR is so volatile).

My employers can pay into any bank account I request, and, Cambodia seems ideal because;
- I can get a USD account and store my wealth in USD
- The requirements to open a savings account at some of the banks are minimal and I can do this on a short stay

Firstly, are my points above correct?
Second, how will a Cambodian account fare internationally? I spend most of my time in South East Asia these days. So I will need to swipe and withdraw in a variety of countries. I will also need to be able to use the related credit/debit card for online purchases.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

PS. Currently considering Canadia and ABA savings accounts as they seem easy to open. However, CIMB Bank offers a Foreign Currency Current account. This seams ideal as money can be stored in multiple currencies including AUD (I get paid in this) and THB (I spend a lot of time in Thailand). The snag here is that this account requires a work permit (which I am never going to get for Cambodia). Any advice on this account or a similar one would also be appreciated.

Re: Bank Account for Remote Worker

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 7:17 pm
by that genius
Check your private messages (top right hand corner, envelope icon)

ABA is pretty good, Cambodia Public Bank is OK too

Re: Bank Account for Remote Worker

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 7:21 pm
by PSD-Kiwi
ABA...get their Visa Debit Card, works worldwide and for online purchases. Internet banking and mobile app are great, especially handy when you're out of the country a lot.

Re: Bank Account for Remote Worker

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 7:23 pm
by Duncan
Why not keep it in Australian bank until the OZ goes up or the USA Dollar goes down. Terrible exchange rate at this moment.

Re: Bank Account for Remote Worker

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 8:04 pm
by JSON
Duncan wrote: Sat Aug 18, 2018 7:23 pm Why not keep it in Australian bank until the OZ goes up or the USA Dollar goes down. Terrible exchange rate at this moment.
Would love to but I am only employed by the Aussies as an independent contractor. I have no recourse to open a bank in Oz and the requirements are way more stringent.

Re: Bank Account for Remote Worker

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 8:05 pm
by JSON
that genius wrote: Sat Aug 18, 2018 7:17 pm Check your private messages (top right hand corner, envelope icon)

ABA is pretty good, Cambodia Public Bank is OK too
Thanks for the info!

Re: Bank Account for Remote Worker

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 8:07 pm
by JSON
PSD-Kiwi wrote: Sat Aug 18, 2018 7:21 pm ABA...get their Visa Debit Card, works worldwide and for online purchases. Internet banking and mobile app are great, especially handy when you're out of the country a lot.
Thanks for the info.
Am I right in that the account would be USD based?
Any advice on withdrawing in other countries? Eg. ATM fees when withdrawing THB in Bangkok?

Re: Bank Account for Remote Worker

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 8:12 pm
by PSD-Kiwi

Re: Bank Account for Remote Worker

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 8:35 pm
by JSON
I am still a little bit confused on the link between Accounts and Cards as they are listed separately on the ABA site?

Would the idea be to get a savings account https://www.ababank.com/en/savings-account/

And then link it to a Visa or Mastercard https://www.ababank.com/en/debit-cards/

So your total flat monthly fees would be your account fee (free for savings account) and then your card fee (eg. $20 annually for platinum mastercard).

Thanks!

Re: Bank Account for Remote Worker

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 9:43 pm
by PSD-Kiwi
Go to the ABA website and use their online chat support...they will answer any questions you have.