Recommended bank accounts
#61
Re: Recommended bank accounts
Wondering why nobody has mentioned Visa Debit cards?
Obviously won't help build up a credit score, but if you want to use cards and not cash (esp. e.g. to pay online) but have trouble getting a credit card, or have a ridiculously small credit limit to begin with, a Visa Debit would seem to be a good stop gap measure.
Obviously won't help build up a credit score, but if you want to use cards and not cash (esp. e.g. to pay online) but have trouble getting a credit card, or have a ridiculously small credit limit to begin with, a Visa Debit would seem to be a good stop gap measure.
I had a WF account when we got here and I think for new arrivals they have to be one of the easiest to deal with. Certainly, walk in with a few bits of paper and 30 minutes walk out with an account and a temporary debit card and checks.
I still have a WF account but last year I opened a credit union account. Nice to be paid for having an account with them but I can't say they are any better or worse than WF. I haven't noticed any difference whatsoever. I don't go into branches anyway and I can get cash from the supermarket if I need it. The only possible upside is that it is a small credit union and I don't get phishing emails about that account whereas I do from the WF one.
#62
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 670
Re: Recommended bank accounts
Wondering why nobody has mentioned Visa Debit cards?
Obviously won't help build up a credit score, but if you want to use cards and not cash (esp. e.g. to pay online) but have trouble getting a credit card, or have a ridiculously small credit limit to begin with, a Visa Debit would seem to be a good stop gap measure.
Obviously won't help build up a credit score, but if you want to use cards and not cash (esp. e.g. to pay online) but have trouble getting a credit card, or have a ridiculously small credit limit to begin with, a Visa Debit would seem to be a good stop gap measure.
I think after all the advice, I'll just open an account in a branch when I arrive. I'll look for a local chase or capital one for example, near work office and hopefully it'll be straightforward. In the mean time, I'll have some cash $ and a way to spend $ on a MasterCard to keep going until US bank account and salary are up and running.
The fact chase have atms in the Duane-reed pharmacists is a bonus for any cash requirements.
Should be fine, right?
#63
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Joined: Apr 2016
Location: California
Posts: 233
Re: Recommended bank accounts
I had assumed these were standard with pretty much any checking account, like they are in the UK, not the case?
I think after all the advice, I'll just open an account in a branch when I arrive. I'll look for a local chase or capital one for example, near work office and hopefully it'll be straightforward. In the mean time, I'll have some cash $ and a way to spend $ on a MasterCard to keep going until US bank account and salary are up and running.
The fact chase have atms in the Duane-reed pharmacists is a bonus for any cash requirements.
Should be fine, right?
I think after all the advice, I'll just open an account in a branch when I arrive. I'll look for a local chase or capital one for example, near work office and hopefully it'll be straightforward. In the mean time, I'll have some cash $ and a way to spend $ on a MasterCard to keep going until US bank account and salary are up and running.
The fact chase have atms in the Duane-reed pharmacists is a bonus for any cash requirements.
Should be fine, right?
https://www.chase.com/checking/offer...DO5Zs01babWrFK
#64
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Joined: Jan 2017
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Re: Recommended bank accounts
I opened a Chase account at a branch and got an incentive. You could try this:
https://www.chase.com/checking/offer...DO5Zs01babWrFK
https://www.chase.com/checking/offer...DO5Zs01babWrFK
#65
Re: Recommended bank accounts
You may want to stay clear of Wells Fargo if you think you may need a student loan.
Wells Fargo accused of illegally denying loans to immigrants - NY Daily News
Wells Fargo accused of illegally denying loans to immigrants - NY Daily News
Last edited by mrken30; Jan 31st 2017 at 2:25 am.
#66
Re: Recommended bank accounts
You may want to stay clear of Wells Fargo if you think you may need a loan.
Wells Fargo accused of illegally denying loans to immigrants - NY Daily News
Wells Fargo accused of illegally denying loans to immigrants - NY Daily News
"Wells Fargo accused of illegally denying student loans to immigrants "
Doesn't make it right, I'm aware of that. But at least be accurate.
#68
Re: Recommended bank accounts
Not sure if this would make anyone change their minds about using WF.
Seattle council committee votes to divest from Wells Fargo over DAPL | KGW.com
Seattle council committee votes to divest from Wells Fargo over DAPL | KGW.com
#69
Just Joined
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1
Re: Recommended bank accounts
I got one the week I arrived, the limit was $200! I phoned the bank and told them that was ridiculous, barely enough for a week's groceries, and they immediately upped it to $1,000. By the three month mark it was up to $5,000, and IIRC $10,000 after a year.
It took a few weeks to arrange to move my Amex relationship over to the US, then I was rolling!
It took a few weeks to arrange to move my Amex relationship over to the US, then I was rolling!
#70
Re: Recommended bank accounts
https://www.americanexpress.com/global-card-transfers/
#71
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Posts: 802
Re: Recommended bank accounts
Amex require you to clear the UK account before they will transfer, which is essentially setting up a new account in the USA.
I was a HSBC customer and did attempt to set-up an account before leaving as I'd need to move funds across every month. Still waiting - applied in July 2016! We set-up a Wells Fargo account as soon as we arrived once it became clear HSBC had problems distinguishing items of their own anatomy. All done and dusted within 45 mins and didn't even have a house yet.
I was a HSBC customer and did attempt to set-up an account before leaving as I'd need to move funds across every month. Still waiting - applied in July 2016! We set-up a Wells Fargo account as soon as we arrived once it became clear HSBC had problems distinguishing items of their own anatomy. All done and dusted within 45 mins and didn't even have a house yet.
#72
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Re: Recommended bank accounts
Amex require you to clear the UK account before they will transfer, which is essentially setting up a new account in the USA.
I was a HSBC customer and did attempt to set-up an account before leaving as I'd need to move funds across every month. Still waiting - applied in July 2016! We set-up a Wells Fargo account as soon as we arrived once it became clear HSBC had problems distinguishing items of their own anatomy. All done and dusted within 45 mins and didn't even have a house yet.
I was a HSBC customer and did attempt to set-up an account before leaving as I'd need to move funds across every month. Still waiting - applied in July 2016! We set-up a Wells Fargo account as soon as we arrived once it became clear HSBC had problems distinguishing items of their own anatomy. All done and dusted within 45 mins and didn't even have a house yet.
Interesting you opened an account before having an address, I may need to do similar. Did you use work as a temporary correspondence address?
Also what paperwork did you need. Will passport, driving license and letter confirming job details do?
#73
Re: Recommended bank accounts
Great news that it's so easy to walk into a branch and open an account. I've gone off the idea of starting the process in the UK, seems like a long winded process with no guarantees when it will be done, for which they charge £ for too!
Interesting you opened an account before having an address, I may need to do similar. Did you use work as a temporary correspondence address?
Also what paperwork did you need. Will passport, driving license and letter confirming job details do?
Interesting you opened an account before having an address, I may need to do similar. Did you use work as a temporary correspondence address?
Also what paperwork did you need. Will passport, driving license and letter confirming job details do?
#74
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 670
Re: Recommended bank accounts
Amex require you to clear the UK account before they will transfer, which is essentially setting up a new account in the USA.
I was a HSBC customer and did attempt to set-up an account before leaving as I'd need to move funds across every month. Still waiting - applied in July 2016! We set-up a Wells Fargo account as soon as we arrived once it became clear HSBC had problems distinguishing items of their own anatomy. All done and dusted within 45 mins and didn't even have a house yet.
I was a HSBC customer and did attempt to set-up an account before leaving as I'd need to move funds across every month. Still waiting - applied in July 2016! We set-up a Wells Fargo account as soon as we arrived once it became clear HSBC had problems distinguishing items of their own anatomy. All done and dusted within 45 mins and didn't even have a house yet.
Seems to me it should be possible to open a current account without an SSN and that's good because I'll certainly need the account before having one.
My other snag is I'll also need account before having a 'permanent' address.
I spoke to someone I know who managed to open an account using work as correspondence address temporarily and before getting an SSN but online details seem to vary.
Chase said the needed a residential address but maybe it varies bank to bank and branch to branch.
Of course after a few weeks I'd be updating the account both with real SSN and adress.
Another option is I have a UK $ account, maybe work would pay into that initially (temporarily), if they can do that. I might incur fees but for a short while that would be ok.
The other thing I'm wondering is whether these international accounts might be useful, since I'll have finances in UK and US maybe this would work out well for moving money around.
I'm not sure about obtaining cash using that sort of account.
I guess I'll end up with US native account, just looking for ways to bridge UK US and get started out initially before everything is in place.
Last edited by LouisB; Feb 11th 2017 at 11:08 pm.
#75
Re: Recommended bank accounts
When I opened my credit union account, I had only been in the US 3 days. I did have a permanent address, but I had no way of proving it when I opened the account. I think it may be easier to open a credit union account.
You may be able to open a CU account through your work place.
You may be able to open a CU account through your work place.