bank account in US

[Meliss 0]

Is it possible to open a bank account in the US before moving? I am always changing money etc.. before travelling, would be nice to have my own credit card or check card- my debit does not work in the states. Or any banks have cross border accounts or something? What about when you actually move? Transfer funds or just bring your money accross? I don't know, I guess it could all go in HIS account....thanks

[cmartyn 0]

Royal has a miniscule US presence. Also, get a US dollar account, you can transfer Canadian funds to US funds then write yourself a check down here. An AMEX card is a good thing because you can transfer that when you move.

[together2love 0]

Although I didn't like them, Wells Fargo has now moved to most of the larger cities in Canada. I had an acct with them when i was in the States for 4 months, but closed it because their service charges were not what I liked. But, while I'm still in Canada I have a US dollar acct with Royal bank and just transfer funds just like what someone already posted. It has worked very well for me. When your ready to move, just get a money order made out from that acct in your name and deposit that into a new acct in the states when you get there.

Hope that helps.

[laura428 0]

Royal has a miniscule US presence. Also, get a US dollar account, you can transfer Canadian funds to US funds then write yourself a check down here. An AMEX card is a good thing because you can transfer that when you move.

So, am I reading this correctly? Are you saying that you had an AMEX card while in Canada, and now still have the same card but with your US address? If so, might this be a way to circumnavigate the whole issue of establishing credit in the States? Could this be a way to bring your good Canadian credit with you and make it work towards establishing the same good credit in the States?

[daisy16 0]

2 issues: bank account and credit

To answer your question, I was able to become a joint account holder with my now husband, 6 months before moving here - did it while visiting. It helped me open my own account shortly after getting here.

Credit has been difficult to establish. I CANNOT get a car loan. IT SUCKS!!! I got a secured credit card last fall - I put up the full amount of my credit card limit. However, that record won't hit my credit records for 8-12 months. Do WHATEVER you can to get credit early. I wish I'd gotten an American Express card in Canada based on my Canadian salary. Of course I'm assuming it could have been transferred over. TD has a new bank in some states, and Royal might work as well.

Good luck

[Flames9_RN 358]

http://www.customhouse.com/ I kept 1 Canadian acct open and use custom house to transfer $$ from it to my USA bank acct. Give better rates than the USA bank. Takes a bit to set up and the transaction takes 3-4 business days to complete. Very simple to use.

[wally 0]

I joined my husband's bank accts. when I got here. Opened my own accts. when I got my SSN number and had to get a secured credit card to start my credit. At first I wired money over but paid a horrendous fee so now I just write a canadian cheque and wait for it to clear. I maintain my Canadian bank accts. and one Canadian credit card. Since I travel back so often, it's pretty handy.

[Jersey Girl 2]

MBNA will issue you a Visa card in the States based on your Canadian credit history. But you have to persevere on the phone to talk to a supervisor who knows what to do. AmEx may also be able to use their global capacity to get you a card in the States.

It took me a long time and much frustration to learn this. I've advised my husband in Toronto to get an MBNA Visa in Canada, so when it's time to move to the States, it will be easier for him to get a new MBNA card here.

By the way, TD has made huge inroads in the States and now has branches in New Jersey. I'm not sure if it would be easy for a bank client in Canada to open an account here once they moved. In any case, a SSN is required. Until you get one, you can be a joint user on your American spouse's bank account.

[A-PhiJill 0]

I keep telling Dave to come down to Bellingham and open an account with Washington Mutual. But he wants to wait until we get to California. He has ScotiaBank and I already have a Washington Mutual Acct

[daisy16 0]

Good to know, thanks!

MBNA will issue you a Visa card in the States based on your Canadian credit history. But you have to persevere on the phone to talk to a supervisor who knows what to do. AmEx may also be able to use their global capacity to get you a card in the States.

[laura428 0]

MBNA will issue you a Visa card in the States based on your Canadian credit history. But you have to persevere on the phone to talk to a supervisor who knows what to do. AmEx may also be able to use their global capacity to get you a card in the States.

It took me a long time and much frustration to learn this. I've advised my husband in Toronto to get an MBNA Visa in Canada, so when it's time to move to the States, it will be easier for him to get a new MBNA card here.

By the way, TD has made huge inroads in the States and now has branches in New Jersey. I'm not sure if it would be easy for a bank client in Canada to open an account here once they moved. In any case, a SSN is required. Until you get one, you can be a joint user on your American spouse's bank account.

Great info - thanks so much!

[CairoBound 0]

I recently opened a joint account wtih my husband (who is not here yet) at US Bank. They needed my social security number and he had to fill out a form that says that he does not have a social security number yet. But we were able to open up a joint checking and a savings account. He lives in Cairo and we have yet found a place that will accept checks there. With the checking account comes a debit card - so that's nice when he needs cash and ATM's are all over in Egypt.

[reddiablo 0]

opened 2 accounts at 5th/third in fl a year ago.

tried to get a loan while visting , no credit record was found.

have copies of my equifax and transunion.

of course if you are a bad risk they would know instanly

but having 5 star rating cuts no ice it seems.

will transfer my amex soon, probaly this week.

my interview is late july , will be poe early august.

but only for a week or 2 ,then off to europa,

will hitch up the trailer and head south on aug 30th.

so had no probs with fifth/third they are really helpfull

will have my ssn by late august and will set up a car loan,

and pay it off within weeks, that should set the credit ball rolling

but did meet a mortgage rep in naples fl who told me

that he gets loans for canucks with their own credit bureaus.

red

[ceriserose 1]

I got a Lane Bryant credit card when visiting one time...they are one of the US stores who offer credit cards to Canadians who still reside in Canada. It has a low line of credit (less than $200), but that's how we started establishing my credit here in the US. When I got here I charged a small amount, made minimum payments to pay it off and did that a few times. There may be other stores that do similar.

Hubby added me to his bank account when I got here last July, and to his credit cards earlier this year.

Because I had the start of credit with Lane Bryant, I could also use the Bill Me Later feature on some websites and that established me further in the credit system here.

And...I just got an American Express through Costco...as the primary. That was a nice feeling.

On Flames9's advice I also looked into the Custom House money transfer. It's absolutely fantastic for payments in Canada. I too left a bank account open there.

[Vox 0]

Hi there,

You can also apply for Nordstrom credit card while visiting USA from Canada, or do it online from Canada.

They use Canadian credit history to issue credit cards to Canadians, all cards are in $US. When you move all you have to do is to change your address and SIN.

Good Luck,

Vox