Setting up a US bank account
Jul 10th 2018, 1:04 pm
#1
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Setting up a US bank account
Hi folks,
I was wondering how others went about setting up a US bank account once they moved, the whole process sounds like it may be a little convoluted and stressful, plus I have read on other threads that some people were saying to leave some money in their UK account and keep it active. Any advice from those that have gone through this process would be much appreciated
I was wondering how others went about setting up a US bank account once they moved, the whole process sounds like it may be a little convoluted and stressful, plus I have read on other threads that some people were saying to leave some money in their UK account and keep it active. Any advice from those that have gone through this process would be much appreciated
Jul 10th 2018, 1:26 pm
#2
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Joined: Jun 2017
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Re: Setting up a US bank account
Hi folks,
I was wondering how others went about setting up a US bank account once they moved, the whole process sounds like it may be a little convoluted and stressful, plus I have read on other threads that some people were saying to leave some money in their UK account and keep it active. Any advice from those that have gone through this process would be much appreciated
I was wondering how others went about setting up a US bank account once they moved, the whole process sounds like it may be a little convoluted and stressful, plus I have read on other threads that some people were saying to leave some money in their UK account and keep it active. Any advice from those that have gone through this process would be much appreciated
Jul 10th 2018, 3:24 pm
#3
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
Posts: 9,965
Re: Setting up a US bank account
It is always useful to keep your UK bank account open, as it is just about impossible for a non UK resident to open one. You never know when a UK bank account might come in handy. I use mine to pay for things I buy in the UK (presents for family), or for spending money on trips to the UK.
If you try to open an interest bearing account in the US, you will be asked for a SS number, then or later. Non interest accounts some form of ID. I wouldn't say it was convoluted just pick a bank and ask them.
If you try to open an interest bearing account in the US, you will be asked for a SS number, then or later. Non interest accounts some form of ID. I wouldn't say it was convoluted just pick a bank and ask them.
Last edited by lansbury; Jul 10th 2018 at 3:26 pm.
Jul 10th 2018, 4:38 pm
#4
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Joined: Sep 2017
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Re: Setting up a US bank account
Having tried to do this three times recently, here’s my suggested batting order.
1) if you are with an international bank in the UK (like HSBC), see if they have a team who can do it for you (HSBC do and we’re great)
2) you can just go into a branch of a bank in the US with some Id (a passport generally). My recent experience from this is that Bank of America are great (my wife walked about after 30 mins with a working account and s temporwry debut card) and Chase are useless (wanted us to have all sorts of weird pieces of ID).
Overall it’s no different to being in the UK.
1) if you are with an international bank in the UK (like HSBC), see if they have a team who can do it for you (HSBC do and we’re great)
2) you can just go into a branch of a bank in the US with some Id (a passport generally). My recent experience from this is that Bank of America are great (my wife walked about after 30 mins with a working account and s temporwry debut card) and Chase are useless (wanted us to have all sorts of weird pieces of ID).
Overall it’s no different to being in the UK.
Jul 10th 2018, 5:58 pm
#5
i hate cabbage
Joined: Mar 2015
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 438
Re: Setting up a US bank account
I started with Bank of America when i moved, all that was required was my visa and passport.
As above, BoA gave me a temporary card that i could use immediately.
I've since moved banks to Chase once i got established, they were a bit more stringent on requirements when opening an account.
As above, BoA gave me a temporary card that i could use immediately.
I've since moved banks to Chase once i got established, they were a bit more stringent on requirements when opening an account.
Jul 12th 2018, 6:10 pm
#6
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Re: Setting up a US bank account
Are you going to be working when you are in the US?
I had the finance manager at my US company introduce me to someone at their bank and those guys sorted it all out for me.
I had the finance manager at my US company introduce me to someone at their bank and those guys sorted it all out for me.
Jul 12th 2018, 9:37 pm
#7
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Jul 14th 2018, 1:47 pm
#8
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Re: Setting up a US bank account
Key thing is you need a US residential address and ID, with that you’re set. Just pop in to a branch.
SSN needed for savings (interest paying) not for chequing (checking).
I managed to open a checking account while on a visit staying in temporary accommodation and not having a US residential address.
for that you need to try and find a friendly bank and bank manager to allow temporarily, until you have an address. For me it was just until a few weeks later when I’d moved for real.
SSN needed for savings (interest paying) not for chequing (checking).
I managed to open a checking account while on a visit staying in temporary accommodation and not having a US residential address.
for that you need to try and find a friendly bank and bank manager to allow temporarily, until you have an address. For me it was just until a few weeks later when I’d moved for real.
Last edited by LouisB; Jul 14th 2018 at 1:49 pm.
Jul 16th 2018, 9:51 pm
#9
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Joined: Mar 2018
Location: Dallas, Tx
Posts: 142
Re: Setting up a US bank account
I went today with my newly signed contract and my L1A visa to Chase; no SSN and no proof of address yet.
They declined to open a simple checking account, even though I insisted that my current employer (a pretty large American firm) is putting in all my papers the office address and 1111111 as SSN until I get one.
Later I went to Bank of Americas, next door and they opened Bank Account, Saving Account, and given the salary, they gave me a cashback credit card with a higher limit as I work for a "trusted employer".
Chase, I won't visit you ever again (until you offer me something better
)
They declined to open a simple checking account, even though I insisted that my current employer (a pretty large American firm) is putting in all my papers the office address and 1111111 as SSN until I get one.
Later I went to Bank of Americas, next door and they opened Bank Account, Saving Account, and given the salary, they gave me a cashback credit card with a higher limit as I work for a "trusted employer".
Chase, I won't visit you ever again (until you offer me something better
)
Jul 18th 2018, 12:25 am
#10
Austin. TX.
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,930
Re: Setting up a US bank account
I went today with my newly signed contract and my L1A visa to Chase; no SSN and no proof of address yet.
They declined to open a simple checking account, even though I insisted that my current employer (a pretty large American firm) is putting in all my papers the office address and 1111111 as SSN until I get one.
Later I went to Bank of Americas, next door and they opened Bank Account, Saving Account, and given the salary, they gave me a cashback credit card with a higher limit as I work for a "trusted employer".
Chase, I won't visit you ever again (until you offer me something better )
They declined to open a simple checking account, even though I insisted that my current employer (a pretty large American firm) is putting in all my papers the office address and 1111111 as SSN until I get one.
Later I went to Bank of Americas, next door and they opened Bank Account, Saving Account, and given the salary, they gave me a cashback credit card with a higher limit as I work for a "trusted employer".
Chase, I won't visit you ever again (until you offer me something better
)Bank of America customer service is crap, WF have a crap reputation. BUT it it really easy to change banks after about 6 months.
Jul 18th 2018, 1:19 am
#11
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Re: Setting up a US bank account
I've been writing ad nauseum about really your only choices for a bank account as a new arrival are Wells Fargo and Bank of America. Some seem to have been "lucky" with Chase and got an account but mostly, it's a waste of time until you have more documentation.
Bank of America customer service is crap, WF have a crap reputation. BUT it it really easy to change banks after about 6 months.
Bank of America customer service is crap, WF have a crap reputation. BUT it it really easy to change banks after about 6 months.
After reading all here I wasn’t really confident but tried anyways.
Jul 18th 2018, 3:02 am
#12
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Joined: Sep 2013
Location: Virginia
Posts: 77
Re: Setting up a US bank account
When I first moved to the US I set up a Wells Fargo account with my green card and social security number. I didn't need any proof of address. They were very nice so I've stuck with them since.
Jul 18th 2018, 4:48 am
#13
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Location: Folkestone hopefully to change to Keller, TX!
Posts: 90
Re: Setting up a US bank account
I arrived in the country last Wednesday, went to the local Bank of America Thursday morning. Set up a joint account with my wife and an account for myself. Monday morning my cards arrived in the mail, which I thought was pretty quick! However was unable to activate my cards online, my wife thinks due to no ssn yet, but a quick trip to the local branch and they were activated for me. They also gave me a credit card designed to help build my credit score up.
Jul 18th 2018, 11:58 am
#14
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Re: Setting up a US bank account
Thanks for all the info and experiences posted so far I take it transfering funds from the UK bank to a newly opened US bank is pretty straight forward?
I take it transfering funds from the UK bank to a newly opened US bank is pretty straight forward?
Jul 18th 2018, 12:05 pm
#15
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Location: Los Angeles CA
Posts: 195
Re: Setting up a US bank account
Yes, but your UK bank will charge you and not give you the best exchange rate... If you're transferring a large amount then it maybe worth using a company like Transferwise.