I was wondering if anyone out there has any comments regarding UOB Bank. Are there any advantages with UOB verses the Thai banks?

Moved to Banking forum

I've been with UOB (Thai) for over 10 years, I went with them initially because they were one of the safest banks and consistently in the top 10 for bank security. Their rates and products seem to be no better or worse from any other bank here. Their customer service is no better or worse although I do have some pet peeves on this front. Every time I developed a banking relationship with one of the branch staff, somebody who spoke decent English and actually had a clue what they were doing, that person was transferred and I'd have to start over. Trying to get an end of year tax statement from them was often really difficult and resulted in me teaching staff basis math and accounting skills, an appalling scenario which is now automated at my new bank. I also became annoyed that I had to produce my passport every time I transacted, despite being known to the branch for years.

 

I opened an account at Bangkok Bank in March and slowly but surely that has become my bank of choice, their app is very good and they are very responsive with balance and transaction notification. I cannot see a good reason to maintain my UOB account and will probably let it go next year.

 

UOB is a god bank but you'd need to have a good reason to open an account there instead of using a bank such as Bangkok Bank, which has more branches and is considered critical to Thai infrastructure.

 

 

I use UOB as well.

 

Staff are very nice and friendly (at least at the Siam Paragon branch) but a bit limited in what they can do (often they just call their call center from the branch to resolve issues).

 

Their app used to be very unreliable, but I can't recall having any issues in at least a year so maybe the issues are fixed.

 

Branches and ATMs are bit limited, but they don't charge me for any other-bank ATM withdrawals so it's not a major issue.

On 10/14/2022 at 9:51 PM, wprime said:

 

Branches and ATMs are bit limited, but they don't charge me for any other-bank ATM withdrawals so it's not a major issue.

If you are able to use other bank's ATM's, that's a big plus.  When I need cash, it seems like I can never find an SCB ATM.  When I don't need cash they are everywhere.

 

I have an Krungsri ATM/Debit Card that allows me to use other bank's ATM's for free.  I really like that feature.  I think I pay an extra 200 Baht per year for this feature (400 Baht total per year.)  It's definitely worth having, but it's another card that I have to carry in my wallet.  I prefer to use SCB as my main bank account and pay for all my PrompPay purchases.  I like the SCB Mobile App the best.

 

Hmm.  I wonder if SCB also has an ATM Card that allows me to use other bank's ATM's for free.  I'd definitely pay a little extra for it for the convenience of not having to carry around the Krungsri card in my wallet. 

UOB sucks, they charge 4% markup fee for currency exchange, there are many other banks do not.