Bank Account for Gringo?

pilotguy says on Dec 11, 2007, 12:10:

Need a cedula.....

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curramberochris says on Dec 11, 2007, 12:11:

yep....you have to have a cedula before you can open a bank account here.

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Gator says on Dec 11, 2007, 13:43:

Need that cédula. First question in the bank's mind is, "Why does the gringo need a bank account if he is here as a tourist with a limited number of days."

try a couple of other banks but don't bet on it.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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robi666 says on Dec 11, 2007, 13:45:

You do not need a cedula. You need to know the manager.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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adrienne79 says on Dec 11, 2007, 13:48:

I've herad you might find a bank that wil open it but then one day they will close the account behind your back once they realize it was opened in error.

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Medellin Traveler says on Dec 11, 2007, 13:50:

M7 -

Forget about putting any money in a Colombian bank. There's a thread started by TomTom33, I believe, that will definitely give you pause about opening a bank account in Colombia.

Why not open a PayPal account and have them deposit the money to your account. That way, the money is available to you, and only to you. The Colombian banking system never gets an opportunity to rob you blind.

La cuidad de la primavera, estoy feliz porque te vuelvo a ver - www.medellintraveler.com

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francis says on Dec 11, 2007, 14:14:

Go to Banistmo they are from Panama and are more flexible with opening an account to foreigners and Colombians who are opening an account for the first time. They have branches in several major cities in Colombia. Not sure if they do in Medellin. My husband and I opened an account with them with no problem.

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agucho says on Dec 11, 2007, 16:18:

NO, there is no way u can get an account without cedula, Ill recomend you to OPEN an account in CITY BANK. iTS AN AMERICAN BACNK AND WONT ASK YUO TOO MUCH

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durito says on Dec 11, 2007, 16:37:

Citibank Colombia is not a part of Citibank in the US.

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msaucey says on Dec 11, 2007, 16:51:

durito is correct.... You could open a Citibank in the U.S., but it does not tie back to the Citibank in Colombia.... It's like 2 different banks, but it would be easier to fight and claim your $$$ if there was an error...

You need a cedula, bottomline...

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

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robi666 says on Dec 11, 2007, 17:14:

So, you're ALL so sure that one needs a cedula... and you forget that this is Colombia...
do all of you want to bet 200 USD EACH that there is a PBHer on here who opened his bank account using only his passport and a good intro of a friend to the bank manager?

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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adrienne79 says on Dec 11, 2007, 17:44:

I wouldn't trust any bank with my money when I know the systems rules are that a cedular is needed. Sure a bank manager might open it but what will happen when she gets fired or quits the bank and a new manager takes over and notices an open account without a cedular. I wouldn't ever feel like my money is secure.

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robi666 says on Dec 11, 2007, 18:16:

Rules? Where did you get this feeling Adrienne? :-)

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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adrienne79 says on Dec 11, 2007, 18:26:

I guess policies would have been a better word choice. Even when broken, they do exsit. Good luck to the PBH member that has the account, Hopefully he or she doesn't keep much money there.

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vicshere says on Dec 11, 2007, 18:29:

Banistmo is no more they been taken over by HSBC
without a cedula your screwed to open a bank account
if you bought an apartment why not apply for an investor visa then you can get a cedual

listo

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robi666 says on Dec 11, 2007, 18:41:

Why Adrienne, do you think they will steal his money? I was not talking about a far west wooden bank...
Vic, again, a common experience does not make a law. I was wrong too, until I witnessed a manager of a well known bank opening the account after having asked the authorization from Bogota.

Enough of this shit, if someone wants to understand he will. For the others, good luck and keep your mind closed.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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billyb says on Dec 11, 2007, 18:54:

Citibank has some of the strictest restrictions.

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Robert Jorge says on Dec 11, 2007, 22:50:

I have to agree with Robi666. If you can get in good with bank management, I am sure anything is possible. Colombia is Colombia. Hell, in the US, I get little perks and special treatment from my contacts and friends in various industries. I am sure in Colombia this would be even a more prevalent phenomenon than in the US. I am not saying those who stated that a CEDULA to open an account are wrong. But rules are meant to be bent - hard.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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goin_south says on Dec 11, 2007, 22:56:

I simply cannot repsond to that thread about BLOOD THIRSTY AMERICANS KILL TWO COLOMBIANS... man, .. we're killiin our own, here at home.. isn't that the way it is? everywhere ya go?

'what does it mean, when one of you (colombians) tell another: YOU WERE NOT/ARE NOT. 'COLOMBIAN ENOUGH'?? jejeje..a mixture, I think, of stupidity mixed with a false sense of arrogance.. How 'colombian' do you have to be? to be 'colombian enough

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Ctg Bound says on Dec 12, 2007, 03:19:

You need a cedula, BUT as robi666 says they are only rules, if you know the write person the rule is dropped.

An example of what robi666 says, I opened a new business bank account, I needed to buy something from another Country with some money in that account, the rules state for that particular bank that money can't be sent from the account until it has 6 months of use. The bank manager phoned the head office, recieved permisioon to send money overseas even though the account is only a few days old.

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M7 says on Dec 12, 2007, 04:07:

Thank you for the responses:

1) i do have a trustworthy person that i could open the account in their name and use that, but i kinda wanted to do it in my name, since i plan to buy more property in the future. this option is a last resort.

2) i read about the "new" investor visas, ...they are changing the laws to encourage more foreign investment, (?) especially retirees,,, to buy and live in Colombia... but i could not find any info on this on the colombian embassy website. i cant remember where i read this...

3) PayPal -- hhmm, sounds interesting. not sure how this works, i never used paypal before? would a business be able to deposit pesos into a paypal account and i would have access here in the the us? that would be sweet.

i definately want to be 100% legal and not take unnecessary risk, as far as violating "rules" go.

ALSO,,, any comments on having an international bank account? such as "Total Bank" in Miami,,, i inquired with them on their website and never even got a response. not a good sign.

thank you very much for the assitance.

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billyb says on Dec 12, 2007, 17:38:

"I have to agree with Robi666. If you can get in good with bank management"

And how does he go about it? Wait outside the bank until the manager gets off and invite him to dinner?

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Robert Jorge says on Dec 12, 2007, 20:26:

Come on Billyb. Key word was "If". It will take a little time and networking, but if a person is semi-social, it shouldn't be too hard to make friends with a bank manager.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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Clinman says on Dec 12, 2007, 21:05:

I agree with Medillin, PayPal is the way to go. I was in Cartagena in July and I had a Chilena meet me for vacation. I left a day early and she got stuck paying for a $200 of incidentals during the week (stayed at Hilton on my points). I had her open up a PayPal account and she had the money in her PayPal account 15 minutes later. How she drew the money out I am not sure if she spent it thru PayPal or advanced it to her bank. Also PayPal pays almost 5% interest which is about double what a regular bank pays

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M7 says on Dec 13, 2007, 11:04:

I went to PayPal website and it seems that they do not offer service (receive money/ make payment) in Colombia (pesos).

I do not qualify for the Investor Visa because my investment total is much less than $100,000usd although I do plan to purchase one or two more properties.

Not sure if I will qualify for a Rentista Visa (?) (what is this?)

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BAQ says on Dec 13, 2007, 12:30:

Even if you open an account without a cedula, remember that the COLOMBIAN GOVERNEMT monitors ALL money sent and received from the USA, and to the point there are limits on the amount that can be sent each month.

Semper Fidelis !

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BAQ says on Dec 13, 2007, 12:31:

ROBI, I have no doubt you have an account but how long ago did you get it? The banking regs are changing RAPIDLY here, it isnt like the "good old days"

Semper Fidelis !

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robi666 says on Dec 13, 2007, 13:43:

Baq, I opened my account with a cedula.
But, I introduced a member of PBH to my bank manager just a couple of months ago. I am a good client and guaranteed for him. We did not expected it but they called the main office in Bogota for authorization and opened his account using his passport in a heartbeat, leaving me really surprised.
Then he transfered enough money to buy an apartment and filled form 4 and register his investment, which does not require a cedula.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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tomtom33 says on Dec 14, 2007, 03:31:

M7, do a search on the Rentista VISA. It has been covered exhaustively.

Robi, I'll bet it wasn't Bancolombia.

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thegrower says on Dec 28, 2007, 11:16:

get a cedula and no problem with any bank, it does not matter if you know the "manager" or not you can not do it ANYMORE with out a cedula.

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tomtom33 says on Dec 28, 2007, 12:43:

Bancolombia denied me 3 times, and I had a cedula each time.

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