It’s not easy to open a Roshan Digital Account, but it can be made much easier.

Late last year, the Government of Pakistan launched the Roshan Digital Account (RDA). They’re meant to enable (and encourage) expats to send money to Pakistan legally. With those funds, you can transact locally (pay bills, send e-transfers, etc.), invest in the stock market, or purchase Naya Pakistan Certificates (NPC) and make up to 11% per annum (on PKR), or 6% on USD (!!!). If that’s not enough, the hook is a simple, quick, online-only, account opening process: fill the form, upload your docs, get a confirmation within 48 hours, and you’re set.

I have to admit: I’m not a “Naya Pakistani” but I was hooked.

Over the next five months (yes, MONTHS), I opened accounts with two banks, MCB and UBL, transferred funds, and bought NPCs.

In the following sections, I unpack my bewildering experiences with both banks, and offer product feedback.

I used to bank with MCB before I moved, so, naturally, that was my first stop.

A Google search (“mcb roshan digital account”) took me to this landing page (with lots of ‘Click here’ links), where I clicked ‘Apply Now’ (on the right) to be taken to another landing page, where I clicked ‘Apply’ to begin the process.

The first step in the application process is this progressively accessible form / gate. Enter the captcha and submit; enter your email address and request an OTP; wait up to 30 seconds to receive an email with the OTP that you enter to proceed. What’s the point of this?

The actual application starts on the next screen. It appears to be a four-step process: Create a profile, sign a few things, upload some docs, and submit.

Clicking ‘Customer Profile’ lands you in familiar territory. In addition to the usual info, this is also where you choose the type of account (‘Current’ or ‘Savings’)…