Upvote:3
Partial answer only so far ...
I visited the Vientiane branch today.
They use the term "Commercial Bank" in their name here and there are only two branches in the entire country so it's not competing with the typical banks aimed at Lao people's savings and loans.
- The companies are separate and a Laos branch cannot request replacement cards for somebody who holds an account in Australia.
- They would not call ANZ for me in Australia, at least partially because of the long-distance rate equivalent to about $3 per minute.
- I forgot that ANZ Australia allows reverse charge calls from customers overseas - so I could've specifically asked them if they would do that for me.
- They can receive my replacement cards for me for me to drop by and pick up. This was a huge cost in the last country I needed replacement cards so is good in itself. I do not know whether there would be a fee for them to be sent anyway.
I very much doubt any of this would be a problem if I were travelling in New Zealand or if a New Zealander had this problem in Australia.
More details coming as I progress.