watchcamFloridabound

Hi all,
I read the banking topic section before asking.
Does anyone know if you have to have a US address before opening an account?
I need to open a business account foremost to set up over there before moving.
Anyone any tips?
Thanks!

Pulaski

Legally "no", but a bank might expect a US address by internal policy.

lansbury

We opened a personal account at Wells Fargo while living in the UK, using our UK address. They posted our bank cards and check books to the UK address. Not sure if the rules for business and personal accounts are different in that respect.

Pulaski

Wells Fargo would be a good choice then, they have branches everywhere in Florida, and a reputation for good service. If you get problems with the clerk you first speak to ask to speak to a supervisor or manager.

Noorah101

Just to back up Wells Fargo, my husband and I both have personal checking, personal savings, debit cards and credit cards from Wells Fargo. Also my husband does his business banking with Wells Fargo, using two business checking accounts, a business debit card, business credit card, and business line of credit. Wells Fargo has been excellent in their service for all the above.

Rene

watchcamFloridabound

Great, thanks for the feedback everyone. Will give it a try. Much apreciated!

watchcamFloridabound

Did you set that up from the UK without a US address?
Cheers!

Noorah101

No, sorry. I'm the USC and I had existing personal accounts at Wells Fargo already. We set up my husband's accounts after he arrived in the USA on a K-1 fiancé visa. Than about 2 years later when his business got more stable, we opened the business accounts.

Rene

watchcamFloridabound

Thank you - will be giving Wells Fargo a call today/tomorrow and will update in case useful for anyone else. Cheers

LeavingLondon

We opened one up with Chase and at the time had no US address (we used our UK one). We did it whilst doing a look-see (so we were in the Us at the time). Was very easy although a slow process as the guy couldn't figure out how to input our address.

watchcamFloridabound

Thanks, will look them up too. Please keep the tips and leads coming everyone

dan54321

Hi - just wondering how you got on?
Did you manage to find a bank that let you open an account without a US address?

Londonswan

Hi,

I managed to do it with Bank of America, but I had to give a US address for a day, then say I moved to UK, then updated when we finally arrived.

One way round it is to rent a mailbox and use that address. Might set you back $20 or so but that will get round the issue (just make sure it's not a PO box or one that isn't a street address), comes in handy for loads of other stuff too. They can forward your cards etc to UK.