OCBC

This is the closest OCBC branch to my apartment, but I rarely go here for anything other than the 24 hour ATM and check deposits because their weekday hours are super inconvenient for working professionals. Their weekend hours are even worse: Saturday, 9 AM to 11:30 AM. 2.5 hours?! Why even be open at all?
Service overall is a-​ok. I had to replace my security token, and although I found it silly that I had to present my passport for verification (IC wasn’t good enough) it was easily processed. I’ve also done wire transfers, which apparently you don’t need to take a number for. Just ask any of the workers for the form (it might even be out in the open) and once it’s filled out they’ll run it to the back and have it done for you.
I will say I like the location, as it’s in the middle of Balestier Road and quite convenient when we need to grab cash before heading to the hawker or bak kut teh!

I passed by the OCBC on Balestier to see if I can open a USD Dollar /​Multi– Currency Bank Account in addition to the SGD bank savings/​checking account with them. To my disappointment, the fees associated with holding such a bank account are exorbitant. In end, they suggested I should go to an international bank to get what I wanted! I thought to myself, a bank recommending business of another bank would never happen in the US. Haha.
Nevertheless, I found the service to be extremely attentive. When I questioned why the fees were so high, the branch manager came to explain to me that since OCBC is a local bank and they they don’t hold as much US dollar reserves as it’s international counterparts. As such, the costs to hold a USD Bank account or transact in USD is expensive for the bank. Not sure, if this is a good bank strategy (can’t fault branch staff), nevertheless I was very happy to see that the branch staff really cared about their customers and were sure to disclose the fees involved. 5 stars to the staff for giving me good advice and showing me how to pay my singapore taxes (I.e preparing cashiers check for me). 2 stars to OCBC for not giving their sales staff a bank product that would sell to customers, local or foreigner, given the globalization of Singapore.