There are two ways of getting a US Bank
account. As an individual (harder way) and as a business
(easier) in Bangladesh
Next you can se general deatils on how to
get US Bank accounts as an individual. You can check the
aditional guides on the menu to se specific details on diferent
alternatives including how to create a US based
business.
You can also use the information we show on this
guide to try to contact other banks and financial
institution not described here as the proccess normally
is very similar.
The security control changed a lot after sep,11.
Now the banks demands more strict controls and
documentation to people who would like to apply for a
bank account.
If you are in this situation it's primordial to
know the right documents and procedures. Next you will
find a general explanation on what you should need and
details of some main banks.
The results depend a lot on the applicant
situation and their documentation so there is always a
change os ptential rejections.
"Bank will ask for the next main documents. A
valid passport, better if it have a valid US visa, a
photo Identification (drivers licence or national ID) and
bank references on the country of origin. This could be
registered/certified letters of local banks and the last
three bank statements that prove the financial solvency
of the applicant.", explain Ivette Jiménez from
Commercebank.
Documents you would
need
All the bank consulted announce that they will ask, at least,
for the next documents:
- Passport
- Drivers
Licence/National
ID (both required)
- SSN (some are
flexible on this requirement but they will ask for at least
three bank statements of local banks plus reference
letters)
- Proof of residence
(as water, electric service or similar
invoices)
Next are listed some of the banks that can be
useful:
Bank of America
"If the person is not a resident, we will ask for a valid
passport, is better if there is a SSN or the ITIN Number for
tax payments. If they can, it would be better to approach
directly a bank office as our customer service can aproach each
case directly and we have a very flexible service. Our idea is
to help new customers to have their account and help them
throught the proccess", said Kimberly Katris, from Bak of
America's Customer Service
To open a "My Access Checking Account" you will only need
US$25 first deposit and there is monthly minimum balance
required. In the case of a regular check account there's
a US$100 first deposit and US$650 minimum balance to
avoid extra fees. With the checking account you can get a
checkbook, an ATM card and receive direct
deposits.
Phone: + 1-800-688-6086 free phone service
- www.bankofamerica.com.
Washington
Mutual
They have two main checking accounts. The first
one is call "Free" and it is totally free, no monthly
fees or minimum balance. To open the account you only
need US$1 and the bank requires a passport and photo ID
to start the opening process. The sencd choice is a Gold
account and it requires a US$100 first deposit, it has a
US$7 montly fee, but you get special discounts on local
stores and a life insurance of US$10000. You can also
open a saving account which can be opened with US$300 and
it have a montly cost of US% montly, but it offer asaving
plan and the possibility to transfer money at no
charge.
"We recommend to open a US bank account as fast
as possible because they will be able to organice their
US finances better and building a credit historial",
comment Maribel Lucio from customer
service.
Phone: + 1-800-788-7000 - www.wamu.com.
Bank
Atlantic
The checking account can be
opppened with US$50 and no minimum balance required. They
ask for a drivers licence and letters from local banks
plus three bank statements."
They also offer accounts for
companies and small businesses and credit
services. This bank is located mainly in
Florida.
Phone: + 1-800-741-1700 -
www.bankatlantic.com
Citibank
This
bank requires a passport, national ID, preferebly a SSN
and show proof of residence. The regulrar checking
account can be opened with US$500 but it have to keep
US$6,000 minimum balance and the monthly fee is
US$9,50.
"Our customers have the choice of the
'Easy checks account' wich can be opened without first deposit
but they have to keep a minimum balance of
US$1,500", said Luis from customer service
Phone: + 1-800-274-6660 - www.citibank.com.
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