Banking Recommendations?

[froschundblumen 25]

Hi everyone,

I just arrived in the US last night and am eager to get the ball rolling as soon as I can.

Can I open a bank account without my SSN?

Does anyone have any recommendations for banks or specific banks to avoid?

I am in Michigan!

Thanks,

Rachel

[Rob & Monika 87]

It depends on the bank. We were able to open a TD Bank account in the US through TD Bank in Canada prior to moving. I think RBC Bank does something similar. Though they aren't much use if you have to physically visit the bank, but for doing everything online it works fine. I think for local banks, I already had accounts and I was able to add my wife just using her passport. I think as long as one of you has a SSN, then you should be able to get a joint account.

Edited June 21, 2014 by Rob & Monika

[kc247 22]

My husband just added me to his account, also got me a credit card, I didn't have a social security number at the time.

[mtempelaar 190]

I am a US citizen and my husband isn't here yet but I called and went to a lot of different banks. Credit unions say no until he gets an SSN (I wanted to add him to an existing account I have) but Wells Fargo and Bank of America both indicated they would be willing to open a joint checking account for us with only my SSN and not his...he just had to bring passport. We ran out of time before we could do it but I've heard of a lot of success with Wells Fargo checking accounts. I was also able to add him to my American Express. Note: for Wells Fargo and Bank of America you have to both visit a branch together. You cannot open online.

Edited June 21, 2014 by mtempelaar

[Ben7336 2]

I think you both had better have a joint account if you are planning to apply a green card in the near future.

For me, before I came to Canada, I have the account of Bank of America. In Canada, I use Scotiabank. It is said that people can withdraw cash between these two banks without any transaction fee. But I haven't tried yet.

Chase is also OK. It is easy to get a credit card when opening checking or deposit account.

[Dualie 185]

My husband just added me to his account, also got me a credit card, I didn't have a social security number at the time.

I still live in Canada but my husband was able to link a joint checking account for me at Wells Fargo that I can use anywhere. It totally depends on the bank I believe.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I would go with whatever your soon to be spouse recommends. As noted above you should start thinking about joining your financial lives so that you can demonstrate financial co-mingling to USCIS when filing for your GC and Removal of Conditions on your 2 yr GC. That is not to say you can;t have your own account -whatever works for you personally but something to think about.

Its different in the US - so many of us in Canada have probably had the same bank accounts since we were 12, which is probably where our parents banked. In the US you can change banks like you change your socks (I exaggerate but you get the idea). Look for the bank that offers you what you value the most. Maybe you don't care about a brick and mortar availability or maybe you do...whatever. Its a consumer's choice...just make sure you're looking for a bank backed by FDIC ins - you want to know that if they go belly up your $$$ is safe.

[chiggins82 88]

I have seen on here that both TD and Royal bank have US branches and you can connect accounts (i.e. have a Canadian and US account). If that is an option it sounds like a good one to investigate. Otherwise go with whatever your fiance is on.

I bank with BMO and they now have branches all over the midwest. However, when I contacted my bank she said there is no connection to them at this time. Hopefully they will in the future though.

I am planning to switch over to ING (Tangerine) in Canada so I can keep an account, but not pay fees and then joining my fiance with where ever he banks. From what I read on here it is smart to keep a Canadian bank account for a while if you can so that you can have things like taxes or any other Canadian cheques deposit there.

[pro_star 52]

Yep I'm keeping my pc account for a wee bit. (yay no fees)

[Flames9_RN 358]

Yep I'm keeping my pc account for a wee bit. (yay no fees)

Don't tell PC that u are moving to the USA...they will want you to close ur acct.....I just gave them my parents addy.

[pro_star 52]

Oh they know...I confused the heck out of the guy.

Luckily, years and years ago when I was a college kiddie, I had my mom added to my account (they were helping me with rent, since I had to live away from home for the schooling)...so I politely told him look, it's a joint account, and the other accountholder is a resident of ontario, there shouldn't be a problem.

Closed my savings accounts with them, so it's just the chequing account but yeah.

[Weston3220 4]

depends on what the wife wants to do, she had a credit union, then moved to chase seems to like that and when we do a joint account maybe credit union or chase, Chase has some good credit cards for collecting points