Yesterday, I was elated. I managed to withdraw RM3,000 maximum a day from CIMB bank ATM using my new Virtual Money Inc (VMI) debit card as recommended by Hong Kiat. After activating the VMI card, I accidentally keyed in my 6 digit access code instead of the 4 digit pin no and after 3 tries, my card was blocked. Thank goodness, the card was not ‘swallowed’ by the Automated Teller Machine. I emailed millie@mooncash.com to unblock my card for free.

After 2 days, she did unblock my VMI debit card and yesterday, I managed to withdraw RM3,000 in two separate withdrawals of maximum RM1,500 each. I still have some money left in my USA bank account (SouthWest Bank). You cannot withdraw more than RM3,000 a day, so the money left can be used to pay for the monthly account service fees of USD2.70 and you need to have USD10 left in your bank account. Whatever the skeptics say, thank goodness my new VMI debit card really works and I don’t have to depend on other people or trouble friends to withdraw for me. At least I don’t have to be at the mercy of others to transfer my PayPal money or accept a lower rate of US dollars from the money laundering services.

Since 15 April last month, my Paypal was put on restricted limitation because I tried to add a USA bank account after reading Hong Kiat’s website on how to withdraw for Malaysian Paypal account holders by using a Virtual Money Inc debit card. It was frustrating and annoying especially after I have faxed to them several pages of my identity card, driver’s license, and a copy of my telephone bills and credit card bills. It was not enough then and they asked for my USA bank checking number which I gave including the SWIFT code.

However, Paypal team still pressed further and asked for my banking transaction proof with my USA bank account. Now this annoys me as I don’t have any transaction with them. It is a virtual bank account and a new one at that. With all due respect, I scanned and emailed them all the brochures, terms and conditions, card number, etc that I have which came to about more than 6 pages. After 4-5 days later, there was no response and yesterday I emailed them again of my many details and reminder to check my scanned images. Today, my PayPal account is fully restored. Thank goodness and I quickly withdraw all accummulated monies for 1 month amounting to more than US dollar 1k, using my USA bank account. Hopefully I can take out all my pending cash from a local ATM with the Cirrus logo.

SWIFT code is an industry cooperative that provides a standard format for transmitting payments, stock transactions, letters of credit and other financial messages to more than 7,500 member banks, broker-dealers and investment organizations around the world. Founded in 1973 as the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, millions of transactions worth several trillions of dollars are sent each day with an average transit time of 20 seconds. Working like a bank routing number, a SWIFT code is widely used to transfer funds between banks.

Affin Bank Berhad = PHBMMYKL
Alliance Bank Berhad = MFBBMYKL
Ambank Berhad = ARBKMYKL
Bank Simpanan Nasional = BSNAMYKL
Bumiputra-Commerce Bank Berhad = BCBMMYKL
CIMB Bank Berhad = CIBBMYKL
Citibank Berhad Malaysia = CITIMYKL
Hong Kong Bank Malaysia Berhad = HBMBMYKL
Hong Leong Bank Berhad = HLBBMYKL
Malayan Banking Berhad = MBBEMYKL
OCBC Bank Berhad = OCBCMYKL
Public Bank Berhad = PBBEMYKL
RHB Bank Berhad = RHBBMYKL
Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad = SCBLMYKL
Southern Bank Berhad = STHBMYKL
United Overseas Bank Berhad = UOVBMYKL

The above information is useful if you need to enter your bank’s SWIFT code to receive international payment. This saves the bother of calling up the bank and finding out from some officers who may not know what in the world a SWIFT code is. From personal experience, I have actually called up Maybank to ask for their SWIFT code and guess what I got as the reply after passing the phone from one person to the other and the other: MBBEMYKLA (note the ending with an A and I still have it jotted in down in my diary!) Just imagine that’s the wrong reply that I got from a local bank!!