Always wanted to write something about this since 8 months ago when I came back to China but never got the time. Those of you who have been in the States (or some other countries) would absolutely be surprised to find out how primitive the banking systems here in China are.
My salary payment is deposited to Bank of China (BOC) in Guangzhou, while I am working and living in Shenzhen. BOC is not networked across the country. Now all the problems happen because of that. 1, I cannot use my ATM card at the local BOC front desks in Shenzhen. If I use BOC ATM card here at a ATM machine I will then be charged extra fee for each transaction. 2. I cannot transfer money here in Shenzhen from BOC to other places. 3. If I lose my ATM card of forget my password, I will have to personally go to Guangzhou to get a new one. Worse than that, BOC service is real bad. Some BOC cashiers would tell you that the bank does not provide a service if she does not know how to carry out that service.
Even the best bank China Merchants Bank has a lot of problems, too.
