Banks offer specialized financial services for international students in South Gyeongsang

South Gyeongsang has partnered with banks to provide tailored financial services for international students beginning Wednesday, as part of efforts to help them settle more easily in the region.

The provincial government said Wednesday that NH Nonghyup Bank and BNK Kyongnam Bank have each designated 20 branches to provide specialized financial consultations and banking support for international students.

In addition to one-on-one consultations, the designated branches will offer educational sessions for newly-arrived students covering essential banking services, including how to use ATMs and mobile banking. They will also provide guidance on preventing financial scams such as voice phishing.

NH Nonghyup Bank has also simplified its account opening and card issuance procedures by allowing international students to use their passports instead of waiting for a residence card.

Previously, students were required to present a residence card issued by the Korea Immigration Service, which typically takes two to three months to obtain. Under the new system, participating universities will submit official documents verifying students' identities, allowing them to open bank accounts with only their passports.

The simplified service will initially be introduced as a pilot program at eight university campuses across the province, including Gyeongsang National University, Changwon National University's Changwon and Namhae campuses, Kaya University, Youngsan University's Yangsan campus, Dongwon Institute of Science and Technology, Gimhae University and Korea Lift College.

In addition, BNK Kyongnam Bank will visit university campuses to help international students open bank accounts and receive bank cards. International residents from Vietnam and China will join the visits to provide assistance in their native languages.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO   [[email protected]]