New CitiBank in Denpasar Bali

Banking in Indonesia is moving along and on the 30th of April this year Citibank opened its first branch in Bali.

What’s the big deal? Well having a big foreign bank that can handle all kinds of transactions and that will let you withdraw money via the ATM machine for free is a very handy thing.

I rode up to Denpasar today to check it out. Citibank is located on Jl. Teuku Umar which is just east of Jl. Imam Bonjol and curves round from the Hero Supermarket to Matahari Department store. The ride from Kuta takes about 15-20 minutes.

The Citibank lot has 2 buildings, both shiny on the inside and out, staff eager to open doors and greet. I went into the main building and up to the 2nd floor to talk to a customer service rep. Her name badge said ‘Baby’ and she told me she was from Jakarta. “Baby can you do me a favour and find me a brochure.” I said. “Yes I have one right here that shows our rates.” she said. “Thanks Baby.” I said.

Citibank will let you withdraw up to $500 a day from the ATM for free as long as your account can cover it. That is a welcome change to paying ATM service fees and I might get started on a account with Citibank in the US.

This bank deals with big money for sure and to have a CitiGold account in Indonesia you have to maintain $60,000 in funds. I’ve got that in rupiah but it will take me a while in dollars.

Here is a selection of their rates for you to browse.

Maybe this is something an expat would find more useful than a tourist but for those of us that live here its nice to have well established companies set up here.

Riding back to Kuta down Jl. Teuku Umar and then Jl. Imam Bonjol I saw something I don’t see too often, a local looking before they pull out from the curb. I know its not a popular thing but still nice to see a couple of people giving it a try.

Here’s a look at some of my lamps. I’ve got 2 either side of the front door and 3 more smaller ones hanging from various trees. They look quite nice when its dark I must say.

My big expanse of white space in the bathroom has shrunk too with this painting I put up over the toilet. I like the imagery of the wave washing everything away. Hope my guests feel the same way.

Just had an evening workout (6pm) at Ade Rai’s Hammerhead gym in Kuta. Apart from the 12 person aerobic class there were prehaps 6 other people there. Plenty of equipment and space to move. I rode down Jl.Legian, through Jl. Benesari where they are going hard on the new pavement. The guys are still working after dark and the progress has reached as far as the Padang food stand near Yan Net internet cafe. For me personally it will be great to be able to cruise down this street on my motorbike without potholes and next rainy season no more walking though water that stray dogs are pissing into.

Dinner tonight might be the night market in Seminyak which itself is undergoing renovation. I tell you its all happening here in Bali.