We’re sorry, Internet banking is closed for the evening…
Sunday, April 16th, 2006Over the past couple years, I’ve had a few surprises and irritations when using the Japanese banking system:
- Bank transfers cost 420 yen, even intra-bank transfers (only intra-branch transfers are free).
- Direct deposits also cost (I think) 420 yen.
- Cannot open a bank account at most banks unless you have lived in Japan at least six months.
- Cannot open a bank account at most banks without a seal (印鑑).
- Cannot change your address on file without some form of government issued ID on which the new address has been registered.
- Cannot withdraw cash in person from a teller unless done from the specific branch that holds your account.
- ATM withdrawls cost 105 yen on the weekends.
- Many ATMs close at night (you know, because they’re… automatic…).
- etc….
Tonight, I decided to try the Internet banking feature for my Mizuho bank account. Looks like I can add another bullet to the list:
- Internet banking closes on weekend nights.
That’s right, I shit you not. If you refer to this page, you’ll see that Mizuho Internet banking is closed:
- Saturdays 10 pm ~ 8 am the following Sunday
- Sundays 9 pm ~ 7 am the following Monday
- From 3 am to 5 am every 1st and 4th Saturday
- January 1st ~ January 3rd
I’m imagining some small beleagured IT team, stuffed away in the bowels of Mizuho’s data center, frantically serving up pages as each request comes in. They have to rest sometime, right? After all, hiring a few more administrators is impossible.
Update 2006-11-12: Mizuho has expanded operations! Internet banking is unavailable only during these times:
- Saturdays 10 pm ~ 8 am the following Sunday
- From 3 am to 5 am every 1st and 4th Saturday