Getting a bank account and car insurance
#16
Re: Getting a bank account and car insurance
I hope this helps clear up the SNN issue with banks:
http://www.ago.state.co.us/idtheft/ssn.cfm
Banks and securities brokerages -- under the USA Patriot Act, 31 U.S.C. § 5318, financial institutions are required to establish minimum standards for properly identifying their customers opening new accounts (include checking, savings, loans, safe deposit boxes, and/or investments). Under federal regulations adopted in May 2003, banks, savings associations, credit unions, securities broker-dealers, futures commissions merchants, and mutual funds were required to have Customer Identification Programs (“CIPs”) in place by October 1, 2003. Information required to identify customers under a CIP includes name, date of birth, address, and a social security or federal tax identification number;
http://www.gcglaw.com/resources/fina...ification.html
The Rule requires banks to obtain an identification number from every customer opening an account. For U.S. persons, that identifying number must be a social security number or a taxpayer identification number (TIN). There are no exceptions. Agency guidance on the implementation of the Rule has indicated that even members of sects, such as the Amish, that do not want to be identified by a number, still will be required to provide a social security number at account opening. As to the timing of obtaining the identification number, the Rule provides that in those circumstances in which a person has applied for, but has not yet received a TIN, a bank’s CIP may provide for procedures to confirm that the TIN has been applied for and that the TIN is received within a reasonable period of time after the account is opened.
Because there is no uniform identification number that non-U.S. persons are able to provide to a bank, a bank has the option to obtain a variety of identification numbers from non-U.S. persons, including passport numbers and country of issuance and alien identification numbers. A bank must decide for itself, based upon appropriate risk factors, whether the information presented by the customer enables the bank to establish a reasonable belief that it knows the true identity of the customer.
http://www.ago.state.co.us/idtheft/ssn.cfm
Banks and securities brokerages -- under the USA Patriot Act, 31 U.S.C. § 5318, financial institutions are required to establish minimum standards for properly identifying their customers opening new accounts (include checking, savings, loans, safe deposit boxes, and/or investments). Under federal regulations adopted in May 2003, banks, savings associations, credit unions, securities broker-dealers, futures commissions merchants, and mutual funds were required to have Customer Identification Programs (“CIPs”) in place by October 1, 2003. Information required to identify customers under a CIP includes name, date of birth, address, and a social security or federal tax identification number;
http://www.gcglaw.com/resources/fina...ification.html
The Rule requires banks to obtain an identification number from every customer opening an account. For U.S. persons, that identifying number must be a social security number or a taxpayer identification number (TIN). There are no exceptions. Agency guidance on the implementation of the Rule has indicated that even members of sects, such as the Amish, that do not want to be identified by a number, still will be required to provide a social security number at account opening. As to the timing of obtaining the identification number, the Rule provides that in those circumstances in which a person has applied for, but has not yet received a TIN, a bank’s CIP may provide for procedures to confirm that the TIN has been applied for and that the TIN is received within a reasonable period of time after the account is opened.
Because there is no uniform identification number that non-U.S. persons are able to provide to a bank, a bank has the option to obtain a variety of identification numbers from non-U.S. persons, including passport numbers and country of issuance and alien identification numbers. A bank must decide for itself, based upon appropriate risk factors, whether the information presented by the customer enables the bank to establish a reasonable belief that it knows the true identity of the customer.
#17
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: The Big Apple
Posts: 1,834
Re: Getting a bank account and car insurance
Bank of America will open an account with a passport and no SSN if thats of any help to anyone!
#18
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Getting a bank account and car insurance
One of the requirements was that they had had a current account for so long, and be definition they will not have valid SSN's.
#19
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: England
Posts: 92
Re: Getting a bank account and car insurance
My husband applied for an ein number before we left the UK. We opened a bank account while on visit here because of the ein number it was possible. We used my sister's address. We also applied for a ss number while on visit he already had his green card so was no problem. Once we moved here, all he had to do was go and take his driving test. We then bought an auto and was able to get insurance straight away. We then bought a house for which we paid cash so no problem there. It takes a bit of planning but it can be smooth.
#20
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6
Re: Getting a bank account and car insurance
I called Bank of America and they said they will not do it without a SSN. However I also called HSBC, closest branch is about 100 miles away in Philly and they said they would open with just my passport.
I am going to call Citizens bank tomorrow which is much closer, part of the rbs group.
Shame about Bank of America, the only bank within walking distance.
#21
Homebody
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,174
Re: Getting a bank account and car insurance
I am married to a US citizen, living in the states waiting for my green card...
I called Bank of America and they said they will not do it without a SSN. However I also called HSBC, closest branch is about 100 miles away in Philly and they said they would open with just my passport.
I am going to call Citizens bank tomorrow which is much closer, part of the rbs group.
Shame about Bank of America, the only bank within walking distance.
I called Bank of America and they said they will not do it without a SSN. However I also called HSBC, closest branch is about 100 miles away in Philly and they said they would open with just my passport.
I am going to call Citizens bank tomorrow which is much closer, part of the rbs group.
Shame about Bank of America, the only bank within walking distance.
Quote them the law as posted by Penguinsix.
#22
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6
Re: Getting a bank account and car insurance
We did, before i even read this post... Seems that they will accept me.
Makes life easier, i can walk to the bank if i need it.
Now i just need to get my pay every month from the UK, but thats much easier once i have a US bank account.
Thanks guys...
Makes life easier, i can walk to the bank if i need it.
Now i just need to get my pay every month from the UK, but thats much easier once i have a US bank account.
Thanks guys...
#24
Banned
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 25
Re: Getting a bank account and car insurance
Do you need to be in the states to open these type of accounts or is there a way to open a US Bank account from the UK - so you will have it for when you move over.
I know that many UK banks are in relationships with US banks, so is it possible to go into a UK bank to open an US account? not sure which bank to use.
I'm so confused but we need to send some money to the states to help with getting our house. We wont have our visa for a few more months.
thanks
Ali
#25
Re: Getting a bank account and car insurance
Do you need to be in the states to open these type of accounts or is there a way to open a US Bank account from the UK - so you will have it for when you move over.
I know that many UK banks are in relationships with US banks, so is it possible to go into a UK bank to open an US account? not sure which bank to use.
I'm so confused but we need to send some money to the states to help with getting our house. We wont have our visa for a few more months.
thanks
Ali
I know that many UK banks are in relationships with US banks, so is it possible to go into a UK bank to open an US account? not sure which bank to use.
I'm so confused but we need to send some money to the states to help with getting our house. We wont have our visa for a few more months.
thanks
Ali
But on his next visit just go into Wachovia if you have one near you ...
prettiest much the easiest it seems ...
#26
Just Joined
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 13
Re: Getting a bank account and car insurance
I was going to make a new thread for my question but it's related to this thread so I'll ask it here.
I have a credit card that I will be transfering the balance on to another card soon (I'm one of the 0% 6 months balance transfer jumpers!) but towards the end of the year my K1-visa should be approved so I will be taking my credit card to the US with me. Could anyone give me some useful pointers or their experiences with the credit cards that they took with them and how they went about paying off the balance? I have an MBNA europe card at the moment which is very good and as with other cards they can be paid over the internet. Is this the only way to do this? Or please don't tell me that the balance has to be paid off in full before you go!
I have a credit card that I will be transfering the balance on to another card soon (I'm one of the 0% 6 months balance transfer jumpers!) but towards the end of the year my K1-visa should be approved so I will be taking my credit card to the US with me. Could anyone give me some useful pointers or their experiences with the credit cards that they took with them and how they went about paying off the balance? I have an MBNA europe card at the moment which is very good and as with other cards they can be paid over the internet. Is this the only way to do this? Or please don't tell me that the balance has to be paid off in full before you go!
#27
Re: Getting a bank account and car insurance
Live within your means young man ....
Paying it off is a very good idea ...
Paying it off is a very good idea ...
#28
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6
Re: Getting a bank account and car insurance
Hi,
I live in the US, I have a Amex and my cahoot card back in the UK. I am waiting for my green card at the moment, but get paid in the UK.
Amex is good, they will just transfer your card and balance over here as long as you have a SSN. I can call the US customer services and they will help me out while my account is still in the UK. They are so helpful.
Cahoot sucks, they hate the fact I am not in the UK, and will be closing my account for me if I stay in the US any longer than June.
MBNA shouldn't be too bad, I have found companies which operate in both countries to be quite helpful (like my current US bank HSBC). You might want to call MBNA, they might be able to do something. Since i get paid in the UK, I have the reverse problem because i live in the US, but its been no real problem.
But i agree with Ray, pay it off and start fresh here if you can. I couldn't but if you can you should.
Tariq
I live in the US, I have a Amex and my cahoot card back in the UK. I am waiting for my green card at the moment, but get paid in the UK.
Amex is good, they will just transfer your card and balance over here as long as you have a SSN. I can call the US customer services and they will help me out while my account is still in the UK. They are so helpful.
Cahoot sucks, they hate the fact I am not in the UK, and will be closing my account for me if I stay in the US any longer than June.
MBNA shouldn't be too bad, I have found companies which operate in both countries to be quite helpful (like my current US bank HSBC). You might want to call MBNA, they might be able to do something. Since i get paid in the UK, I have the reverse problem because i live in the US, but its been no real problem.
But i agree with Ray, pay it off and start fresh here if you can. I couldn't but if you can you should.
Tariq
#29
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6
Re: Getting a bank account and car insurance
Do you need to be in the states to open these type of accounts or is there a way to open a US Bank account from the UK - so you will have it for when you move over.
I know that many UK banks are in relationships with US banks, so is it possible to go into a UK bank to open an US account? not sure which bank to use.
I'm so confused but we need to send some money to the states to help with getting our house. We wont have our visa for a few more months.
thanks
Ali
I know that many UK banks are in relationships with US banks, so is it possible to go into a UK bank to open an US account? not sure which bank to use.
I'm so confused but we need to send some money to the states to help with getting our house. We wont have our visa for a few more months.
thanks
Ali
Royal Bank of Scotland own Citizens Bank in the US, you might be able to do something through them. I would have looked into them if I had not got my HSBC account.
Transfering the money is not really the problem, I have used a few third party websites to do it. So its just opening the account. I would speak to HSBC, they seemed to be very helpful when i went through the process from this end. Barclays apparently are good for international banking, but don't think you could open an account here, i heard once you have a Bank of America account it works well.
#30
Re: Getting a bank account and car insurance
I was going to make a new thread for my question but it's related to this thread so I'll ask it here.
I have a credit card that I will be transfering the balance on to another card soon (I'm one of the 0% 6 months balance transfer jumpers!) but towards the end of the year my K1-visa should be approved so I will be taking my credit card to the US with me. Could anyone give me some useful pointers or their experiences with the credit cards that they took with them and how they went about paying off the balance? I have an MBNA europe card at the moment which is very good and as with other cards they can be paid over the internet. Is this the only way to do this? Or please don't tell me that the balance has to be paid off in full before you go!
I have a credit card that I will be transfering the balance on to another card soon (I'm one of the 0% 6 months balance transfer jumpers!) but towards the end of the year my K1-visa should be approved so I will be taking my credit card to the US with me. Could anyone give me some useful pointers or their experiences with the credit cards that they took with them and how they went about paying off the balance? I have an MBNA europe card at the moment which is very good and as with other cards they can be paid over the internet. Is this the only way to do this? Or please don't tell me that the balance has to be paid off in full before you go!