Hi again everyone, I feel like I'm being a pest but I have another question. Has anyone organised to open a bank account in Bali (in the family's name of course) so that money can be put into it regularly from Oz for them? What did you do? Thanks all once again.

They need to go into a local bank with their ID cards and open an account; they will probably have to make a minimal deposit in cash. Once they have this, just get them to provide you with the bank's swift number and their bank account details (account name, account number, bank branch), et voila! Tell them to make sure they do not go below the minimum deposit. Sending them money is then no problem BUT you will pay charges, soo......

Why not open a bank account in Bali yourself; I recommend BII. You just need your passport and an address. They will send the Internet banking info and your cash card to this address. So then send a larger amount / put a larger amount into your own account and set up a monthly transfer to their account. If they are also with BII, this is free (no charges). So you pay far less in bank carges and you have a useul account for when you go on holiday

It is my understanding that it is not so easy to open an account in Bali as it once was.

I was thinking that opening an account in your own country, and give the ATM card to your Bali family. You will of course have to make a minimum deposit to open the account that you may not want your family in Bali to have access to, that I believe would need to come under the catagory of communication and trust. You would be able to add funds as needed and the only fees that you'd incur would be for the use of the ATM and any charges from your bank for ATM usage. I've noticed that credit unions have the lowest charges..

I emailed BII and asked them, here is their reply;

Dear Mr. Mark,

Thank you for your e-mail and your interest to BII product.

Regarding to your e-mail on April 25, 2007, hereby we would like to inform that each foreigner can open personal saving account in BII as long as they have valid ID ready card (Passport and KIMS/KITAS (Limited stay permit card)).

To open an account in BII, the prospective customer must go to BII branch in Indonesia to fill in the opening account application. Opening account can not be done by internet/online banking/website or authorized to other.

BII have several saving account in rupiah and foreign currencies. We provide Superpundi Rupiah and Superpundi Valas in USD/SGD/EURO for individual customer. Or you could open Giro account in Rupiah and Giro Valas in USD/SGD/EURO (if you doing some business).

Requirement for applicants of Superpundi:

- Just submit the opening application form in your nearest BII branch
- Individual Valid ID card for foreigner (Passport and KIMS/KITAS (Limited Stay Permit Card/KITAP (Permanent Stay Permit Card))

Requirement for applicants of Current Account Individual:

- Just submit the opening application form in your nearest BII branch
- Individual Valid ID card (KTP/Driver's license/Passport and KIMS/KITAS (Limited Stay Permit Card/KITAP (Permanent Stay Permit Card))
- Reference letter (if any)
- NPWP

For further information about BII product, please visit BII Homepage to BII Internet Banking

Hopefully this information will be helpful.


Best regards,

Desyana
BII Customer Care E-mail

I still have my BII account which I no longer use and never will do again now (it has Internet banking and a cash card). I am almost tempted to "donate" this to the cause but I know what would happen / what some might say.