Fishlioni

Hi,

I moved from the UK to the US last month on a permanent residency marriage visa. I'm still waiting on my greencard but I have just received my social security number. I would like to set up a US bank account but Chase bank have told me I need to have a utility bill to do this. All I have for proof of address is a final council tax bill from Birmingham City Council UK - sent to me US address and the Social security card letter. Does anyone know of any US banks that would accept either of these as proof of address to set up a US account? Thank you in advance for any help you can give! cheers!

neill

Not everyone who opens a bank account is responsible for utilities. They are just giving the boilerplate example of what would work. I'd try both of your suggestions!

Fishlioni

Thanks Neil! Chase wont accept what i provided so looking for alternative options! Cheers

msk2uon

I've found credit unions to be a lot more easier to work with. I'd try them first and then open a bank account. They tend to open to giving you credit cards too.

Nutmegger

People have reported success with showing a library card with their home address.

ivanidea

When I opened my account with PNC within a few days of arriving in the USA, I took along my UK passport, UK driving licence, and a copy of the lease agreement which my wife had me added to shortly after our wedding (to give me some residence status).

I was able to open a checking account, and was told to come back once I had my SS card, so they could update their records.

4 years later, I'm still not on any utility bills, since my wife was (and still is) the named account holder.

tht

There are “app banks” targeted at immigrants, similar to Monzo or N26:

https://www.majority.com/en/

Winston_the_Great_Dane

I found Chase to be the least useful and most obstructive bank when it came to opening an account with them. I do everything possible to avoid any dealing at all with them

My local credit union was pretty good

msk2uon

Concur wholeheartedly with respect to Chase! I'd say the same about Wells Fargo!

Winston_the_Great_Dane

Honestly, the guy at the Chase branch was a smarmy jobs worth wanker. I felt like he was smirking as he denied opening my account (joint with US spouse and my IR-1 visa stamp and the government website saying it is in lieu of green card). No, can't do that, Head Office says no. I spoke with Chase corporate and they said it's a local decision.

tom169

I had a very easy time with Wells Fargo when I first arrived.

petitefrancaise

Chase has a very tight policy on the documents they will/won't accept for new arrivals.
Bank of America and Wells Fargo are much more helpful and easygoing in that regard. You don't have to keep these accounts forever either.
Does your work have affiliations with a credit union? That might be good, otherwise Credit Unions can also be tricky to join.

MidAtlantic

+1 When I first arrived Wells Fargo went out of their way to be helpful.