It seems to be on the mend now, but here are some comments from some folks trying to get money from an ATM machine in Panama, with that money originating, mainly from the US...............................................
CLAVE, the international clearing organization for Panama, has been having problems for at least two days. I tried to make a withdrawal yesterday and today and both debited my account but didn’t give money. Both transactions require working with the foreign bank to get the money back in the account.
I was advised to not use he ATM until I verified that CLAVE was working.
Have another great day in Panama.
================================================================
CLAVE, the International clearing house for Panama is having computer troubles. It started Wednesday and has continued today. People are being charged the amount of the intended withdrawal plus $6 but no money is forth coming from the ATM. I went inside Banco National, here in Pedasi and talked to a Manager. They know there is a problem and they advised that NO bank in Panama will honor any foreign credit or debit card, because it will cause the bank more problems when you file a dispute over the transaction. So this effectively cuts you off from obtaining any cash, unless you have a Panamanian bank account.
=========================================================================
We've had issues all day. Multiple banks, multiple cards, multiple calls to our US bank to reverse charges after receiving NO money from any ATM. Glad there is finally some sort of explanation.
=========================================================================
We tried to get cash today at the ATM, but no money was dispersed. However, our account was charged in the United States. There definite is a Glitsch. We had to call the bank in the U.S.
=============================================================
I'm very glad to here you used your bank card...I called a local branch in Coronado, (Global bank) and they did say there is a problem... that they are trying to fix. And that it should be resolved. Later today or tomorrow. So must not be for all cards.
=============================================================
I have had a different experience. I used my BoA debit card today and had no problem using it. I have had similar problems in the past when the ATM ran out of funds in El Valle or here in the city and no funds came forth although I was charged the amount plus the transaction fee. The local bank where the ATM was located advised me to call my US bank for relief. I called my BoA and advised of the problem. I had my funds in my account within 4 days. I question the accuracy of "that NO bank in Panama will honor any foreign credit or debit card, because it will cause the bank more problems when you file a dispute over the transaction." The local commerce, restaurants, hotels, the Free Zone, and tourism would come to a quick halt. There must be more to the explanation that was lost in the message. My patients this morning paid with a US debit card and a US Credit Card.
=============================================================
Managers are every bit as knowledgeable as clerks and tellers and just as intelligent and dependable. I just took $200 from an HSBC ATM in Volcan less than 15 minutes ago AFTER reading this post with no problem whatsoever. Uninformed people passing on more scare tactics and BullSh*t rumors.
=========================================================================
That is definitely not true. I know that the BNP staff are poorly trained and often clueless but that is a bit over the top even for them. Is it possible that you misunderstood the Spanish?
=========================================================================
I just withdraw $100 to test this.....
Had no problem at Banco General.
=========================================================================
I have a local account, to deposit. I talked to my bank manager, she speaks English fluently & helped me in the past with banking problem.
She forward the original posting to a person in CLAVE, who will follow it up.
Will get a reply in "black & white" in 24 hours.
Verbally she was told this is BS.
=========================================================================
BNP in Bocas has raised the "foreign ATM card" fee to $6 from $3. Does anyone know if this is for all claves or only those being operated at BNP (Banco Nacional de Panama, the government bank)? Its getting pretty outrageous out here. I thought that the clave's were all owned by a specific company and it had nothing to do with the bank where the machine is located....is that also true of BNP claves?
=========================================================================
They are giving a different story to different people. I just called the bank and they said that the clave company imposes different foreign clave card fees depending on what country the card originates from. He said that cards from the USA are being charged $3 fees....but some people were charged $6 yesterday and their cards were from the USA.
Also, the ATM was going nuts yesterday, a very large number of people (somewhere between 10 and 25 depending on who you talk to) who had foreign ATM cards had their accounts debited but no money given. But people who had BNP clave cards all got their money.
I'm torn between the "usual suspect" (gross incompetence on the part of BNP) and some kind of "inside job" scam targeting tourists and other foreigners. Remember that BNP was down last month, ostensibly to "fix their system." Now, this.....and only people with foreign ATM cards and no local bank account being ripped off.
Hmmmmmm.......
=========================================================================
We tried withdrawing money yesterday from three different ATM's before knowing of the problem. Our bank has been called in the States and they are giving us a provisional credit. A note was put in our file that necessary paperwork would be slow in coming due to our location. Today I went to HSBC, gave them my debit card and my original passport. I was able to receive money without an ATM charge. They knew of the problem with the ATM machine. It's an extra step, having to go into the bank, but it worked. I tried it once with Banco Nacional and it does not work with them. At HSBC they ran my card through a machine just like you would use at a store.
Panama
Living in Panama Guide
Panama Forum
Contribute
Best Places to Live in Panama
Healthcare in Panama
Cost of Living in Panama
Moving to Panama Guide
Pros & Cons of Living in Panama
Panama Visa & Residency Guide
10 Tips for Living in Panama