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Issues acessing my banking

jeremynelson778

I recently relocated to Kenya from the USA,and despite my bank assuring me my debit card would work here,there doesn't seem to be many places that will take it.I mean for means such as a csr,housing, larger amounts.My question is has anyone  else had this problem,or how do you do your banking here so.you don't feel like everyday is a hassle to spend your own money

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Banking in KenyaEvolution of banking services in KenyaUS notary in KenyaSome mortgage advice requiredInvesting in Kenya
sarnia78

This is familiar to me, being Canadian. For the maximum amount of cash per day (that's midnight to midnight) from an ATM (40,000) use Co-operative or I&M which don't charge an international fee.

KCB and Absa will also accept an international debit card.

For larger transactions I transfer funds to an e-bank in Canada which will have arrangements with an international transfer organization like WISE. There are many others, different in the US. They will transfer directly to Mpesa. But Mpesa has a limit for a daily transaction. Amount you can transact within 24 hrs is 450,900/-.

I don't have a bank account here in Kenya. I've heard too many nasty stories about behaviour of bank employees. Since I'm not buying anything big this works for me.

KimberlyHauenstein

We lived in Kenya for years with an account at Barclays.  We received a fantastic rate on savings and never had an issue with anything with them.

jeremynelson778

@sarnia78

Wise told me I couldn't use it onca I was outside the US,I been trying to get by with Xe,tap tap send,and xoom.Most times Mpesa is the problem.Im trying to work it all out,it's hassle.I almost would have rather just brought the cash and declared it

Longonot62

I use MPesa mainly and transfer funds from my IK bank account via Sendwave. Although there’s a daily limit similar to MPesa, it’s extremely rare that I  will be spending anything like that amount in a day.


Visa debit cards work well, but othered are not so widely accepted. I’ve never had an issue withdrawing cash from an ATM (apart from the fee), or paying bills using my Visa debit cards.


we have banked in Kenya for many years and still have active bank accounts. Never had an issue despite at times having Kes several million in the account.  I don’t think that it’s significantly more likely that you will be the victim of a rogue bank clerk in Kenya than in my home country.