aaronjamie

hey guys, i've been in the usa on the k1 visa for two months now. marriage license done, just received my social security today (issue date january 22). i just tried signing up for a checking account with ing direct only to be denied. i called the customer service hotline and they told me as they are an internet only checking service, they need to verify details with other departments and as i have only had a ssn for a few days, i'd need to give it six to twelve months before trying again with them
i need to open a bank account, any experience from k1ers where they got accepted? or will it be easier to open an account with a bank that has branches?

GeoffM

Just find a convenient local bank and take your passport with visa, maybe proof of address if you have any, and SSN card. They might just use the number but there was some issue with mine and they wanted to see the physical card.

sir_eccles

This. Basically you have no credit history so they put your number in and it says no. Being there in person helps. Preferably the local bank is the same one your spouse goes to and they can go with.

BubbleChog

I opened my Bank of America account (and a joint account) in person, with a British bank card, my British passport, No SS number and no green card.
Opening a joint account with your new wife will also give you a piece of evidence for your AOS
Lx

aaronjamie

thanks guys, she's with navy federal so we'll look into going there soon

Bob

Any local bank will open an account for you.

You only need a SSN for a savings account, so you should have been able to open the account without one if it was just a checking account.

You might need to ask for a supervisor and it might be more hassle for them if you didn't have a SSN, mainly because they probably use it as a defacto ID number and the backend software can't handle another piece of ID, but your passport or drivers license number would have been acceptable. All they need to do is verify you are who you say you are.

aaronjamie

well i've been researching and apparently ing direct don't run checks for opening saving accounts, but they do for checking accounts

RICH

When I was in your position, I went into a Bank of America, to ask what would be needed to open an account.

I walked out with an account.

You need proof of ID & Address and that's about it.

ING, being online only, relies on proof of another account, hence your problem.

aaronjamie

think if i called ing tomorrow and offered to show them id, fax across passport scans etc, they might make an exception?

MMcD

Take a look at this Time article - including their suggestion you also consider Ally Bank ( another online entity with no fees etc.):

http://business.time.com/2011/06/17/...-to-freak-out/

GeoffM

Why the necessity for ING? You could have had an account by now!

RICH

No. I think if you had a BOA account or similar, plus the above, they might consider it. But I doubt it.

I had ING in UK and tried to transfer/reopen in US and it failed. Don't remember why specifically, but I learned to live without them. You will too, in time.

MMcD

Maybe you're unable to open an accnt. at ING because they no longer exist?

http://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/...pital-one-360/

RICH

Wel,l that is different then. I have a UK Capital One credit card account. I paid it off years ago and have +5gbp balance. At some point it became "not possible" to renew my card in USA, so essentially the account is closed, but I still get online statements and a monthly reminder by email.

MMcD

Too funny....(it's as perplexing as ING/Capitol One):
I thought I was responding to the OP
well.....brick and mortar, brick and mortar - the REAL world answer to VIRTUAL confusion