opening a bank account in BC
Aug 14th 2009, 12:58 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 57
opening a bank account in BC
Can anyone supply me with any info about opening a bank account in BC?
We were told that we would need proof of address (in Canada) to open an account by a number of the Canadian banks.
We've since gotten a letter from our future landlord stating our new address which should suffice but we are having trouble gauging how long it will take before we have a working account up and running after we land?
Days? Weeks? A Month?
We just can't tell! At the moment we are braced to rely on cash, travellers cheques, barclaycard, good luck, cash passports and the kindness of friends.
Are any banks preferable for new migrants?
Are there any banks that should be avoided at all costs?
(no pun intended)
We were told that we would need proof of address (in Canada) to open an account by a number of the Canadian banks.
We've since gotten a letter from our future landlord stating our new address which should suffice but we are having trouble gauging how long it will take before we have a working account up and running after we land?
Days? Weeks? A Month?
We just can't tell! At the moment we are braced to rely on cash, travellers cheques, barclaycard, good luck, cash passports and the kindness of friends.
Are any banks preferable for new migrants?
Are there any banks that should be avoided at all costs?
(no pun intended)
Aug 14th 2009, 3:09 pm
#2
Binned by Muderators
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: White Rock BC
Posts: 11,684
Re: opening a bank account in BC
Turn up at a bank with ID (passport preferably), some funds to deposit, and you will be out of there within the hour with a fully functioning chequing account, complete with debit cards. It can take a little longer as a non-resident, but not much.
The only thing you need to watch is that the bank may put a restriction on withdrawing cheque deposits until they clear. They usually drop this once you have a bit of banking history with them. So, if the bulk of your funds are by cheque, make sure you have sufficient travelers cheques, cash or credit cards to get you through the first week or so.
The only thing you need to watch is that the bank may put a restriction on withdrawing cheque deposits until they clear. They usually drop this once you have a bit of banking history with them. So, if the bulk of your funds are by cheque, make sure you have sufficient travelers cheques, cash or credit cards to get you through the first week or so.
Aug 14th 2009, 3:27 pm
#3
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,227
Re: opening a bank account in BC
Can anyone supply me with any info about opening a bank account in BC?
We were told that we would need proof of address (in Canada) to open an account by a number of the Canadian banks.
We've since gotten a letter from our future landlord stating our new address which should suffice but we are having trouble gauging how long it will take before we have a working account up and running after we land?
Days? Weeks? A Month?
We just can't tell! At the moment we are braced to rely on cash, travellers cheques, barclaycard, good luck, cash passports and the kindness of friends.
Are any banks preferable for new migrants?
Are there any banks that should be avoided at all costs?
(no pun intended)
We were told that we would need proof of address (in Canada) to open an account by a number of the Canadian banks.
We've since gotten a letter from our future landlord stating our new address which should suffice but we are having trouble gauging how long it will take before we have a working account up and running after we land?
Days? Weeks? A Month?
We just can't tell! At the moment we are braced to rely on cash, travellers cheques, barclaycard, good luck, cash passports and the kindness of friends.
Are any banks preferable for new migrants?
Are there any banks that should be avoided at all costs?
(no pun intended)
