We finally got to open one because Jim FINALLY got his slick wallet-sized identiteitskaart! After only 10 weeks (was supposed to take 2 - 3). Anyway, it arrived and it allowed us to open a bank account. Apparently Belgium does not want your money in a bank until you are a bonafide resident.
The bank, KBC, was recommended to us so that's where we went. It was a lockdown facility meaning the doors automatically lock and an employee has to let you in and out. Anyway, after making copies of our paspoorts and identiteitskaarts and entering it all in the computer, I showed her my American checkbook and asked if we would get one of these. She looked at the checkbook strangely and said "Oh no, we haven't had those in 15 years".
That's right - she said everything here is done electronically. And has been for 15 years!
The KBC rep was unable to assist us in a money transfer, so in all fairness to the check-writing American banking system, the rep at CTB handled the transfer of some money to our new Belgian account and it was flawless and in less than 24 hours. We were impressed and appreciative.
And, of course, the identiteitskaart. Pretty slick, huh?
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