PayPal is undoubtedly the world’s biggest online payment solution provider boasting well over 100 million account holders worldwide. Malaysians are no strangers to PayPal since they have been using them to make online purchases for years now. However, those that have their very own online businesses do have a little problem in using PayPal. Sending and receiving funds do not pose any problems to Malaysians but when it comes to making withdrawals, many Malaysian online entrepreneurs would face a brick wall.
Ever since the 9 11 tragedy, the US government has tighten their grip on security and that affects their economic practices as well. New Bills and Legislations were introduced thus making life for Malaysian online entrepreneurs a bit more difficult. PayPal for an example forced a mandatory ruling that every Malaysian PayPal account holders may only withdraw funds to their US bank accounts. This is practically impossible for most Malaysians then since we are halfway across the world! Malaysians that are visiting US and thinking of taking that opportunity to open their very own US bank accounts on the spot later received rude shocks upon discovering that every US banks have tighten their banking procedures and it is almost impossible to open any type of bank accounts if you are US non-residents.
Luckily, some Malaysians have found a few workarounds or solutions for this problem and it is my intention here to share them with everyone. Some of this workarounds or solutions are dubious; hence I would not discuss them here. Sadly, some ingenious Malaysians who are privy to such solutions took full advantage of it and use them for their own personal money making agenda. They come up with a few eBooks and sell them for a couple of bucks on their websites. One Malaysian even has the audacity to make his eBook as an affiliate program! Frankly speaking, such knowledge should never have been exploited for any monetary gains since it belongs to everyone.
Okay now, let us explore the possible solutions here in detail:
Using Accent Card Visa debit card
- This is by far the most popular option used by many Malaysians right after 9 11.
- New card applicant is required to deposit US$50.00 as application processing fee.
- Due to their high imposing fees however, many Malaysians have abandoned this option.
Using Virtual Money ATM Card
- Also quite popular after 9 11.
- It is actually a PIN based debit card.
- The card can be purchased through any authorized Virtual Money Merchant. I can’t quite determine the actual amount of money that you have to pay to get the card. Some folks on eBay are selling them anywhere between US4.99 and US$29.99. A bit peculiar, I must say.
- Their transaction fees and so forth are lower than Accent Card Visa debit card, thus many Malaysians opted for this option lately.
- Unfortunately, some Malaysians have recently reported numerous problems with Virtual Money ATM Card. PayPal have been asking a lot of questions and many withdrawal requests have been cancelled.
Using Online Trade & Brokerage facility
- This is the new kid on the block and currently hot here in Malaysia.
- The most popular right now is the one provided by E*Trade Financial.
- It comes with a VISA Platinum ATM debit card.
- I’m not going to elaborate much on the details since E*Trade Financial has introduced a new policy that totally bombed every Asian account holders. Their US Trade & Brokerage facility no longer accepts applications from Asians. New Asian applicants and most probably existing Asians with US accounts would be diverted or transferred to their Hong Kong facility instead.
- This option was so popular recently but with this new twist, many Malaysians who are hoping of using this option to take care of their PayPal withdrawals would soon disperse and look for other alternatives.
Using actual US bank accounts
- Personally, I find this option as the best for Malaysians and their PayPal withdrawal dilemmas.
- Surprisingly, not many Malaysians are fond of this option. Maybe it is due to their high processing and transaction fees or it could be due to the fact that the application process requires too much paperwork. Like it or not, this is the only current available option that is truly acceptable by PayPal.
- To the best of my knowledge, there is only one US bank that can provide actual US bank account for Malaysians or any other US non-residents. It is actually an international bank and they are an international banking powerhouse. US HSBC.
- True, opening a US bank account under US HSBC does require a lot of paperwork. Even though you can basically apply online but you would be required to make a few visits to your local and nearest HSBC banking branch. This is part of their international verification process.
- With the recent unfortunate change in E*Trade Financial’s policy, I foresee that many Malaysians would go for US HSBC in the near future.
I am sure that in time Malaysians would find more options in tackling their PayPal withdrawal difficulties. Malaysians are known to be resourceful and some folks might just have some new ideas anytime soon. I would be monitoring this issue very closely and those interested in following up with any new developments can do so by taking a peek or two on this posting from time to time.
Maybe it would be best if every Malaysians get together and sign some sort of a petition letter to request PayPal to consider allowing Malaysians to withdraw funds straight to our local bank accounts. If Singaporeans are allowed to do that, there is no reason why PayPal cannot give us the same benefit, isn’t it?
Edited on the 3rd of June 2008:I’m sure Malaysians have realized by now that PayPal has made funds withdrawals possible for us. Nowadays, you can easily withdraw your PayPal funds to your credit or debit cards. Please ignore all of my suggestions mentioned in this post and refer to the following links for more details on this new development.
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6 comments:
I've receive the applications form for HSBC US. Do you know any guideline for filling up this form.
thanks.
Hi there Taicoon..
US HSBC have made numerous changes in their application procedures lately and I dare not recommend you reading any guidelines written by third parties to help you on this matter.
Fret not, you can always directly contact US HSBC via email and ask them for assistance anytime you like. You may also drop by at your nearest local HSBC banking branch and seek their assistance too.
Like what I’ve said in my posting, they may send you on a wild goose chase. Have patience though, they would soon gives you all the information that you need in due time and you should have your application approved in the end. :)
Hello, can i from Indonesia open account in US HSBC? Even if im not live in the US?
Hi there Aryanto..
Sure.. US HSBC is open for all non US residents, that's what they told me last time.
To be safe, drop by at any of your nearest HSBC banking branch and interrogate them further. :)
You may also send emails to US HSBC if you want.
I just receive an email from international department from HSBC. Here's what he say:
Dear Aryanto Efrayim:
Thank you for your e-mail and interest with HSBC Bank USA, NA.
You can find out information about all of the accounts and
services we offer by visiting us at:
http://www.us.hsbc.com/1/2/3/personal
If you would like to open an account with us, you can click on the
following link to request the US forms. The forms will be e-mailed
to the e-mail address you indicate within a few hours:
https://hsss.hsbc.co.uk/offshoreform/online_form.htm
Additionally, we offer Premier International services. To find
out more information about our Premier accounts, please click
here for additional information:
http://www.us.hsbc.com/premier/international_services.html
Please advise if you are interested in the Premier International
Services, and an International Account Manager will contact you
to discuss your needs.
Please note that the account must be opened in US funds, and
the account can not be opened for paypal, ebay or other business
purposes.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We can
be reached at 716-841-0613.
Sincerely,
James P Brown
International Specialist
International Banking Center USA
Hope this help. But, if there any solution about it, please let me know. Thanks
Hi there Aryanto..
Wow.. Looks like US HSBC has now tightened their banking procedures. You're a bit unlucky Aryanto. If you applied for US HSBC earlier, you would never face this kind of problem with them. Take note that some Malaysians have been using US HSBC for their PayPal for quite some time now and they did have any problems by far. I don't know whether they ran into any problems lately though. Let me ask around and I will get back to you on this once I have any leads.
Tell you what, why don't you try both US HSBC and AccentCard Visa. Apply for both and see which one would work for you.
You may apply for Accent Card Visa here.
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