Bank Account

[Anna C. 4]

Hi there,

I did a traineeship in New York, so I already have a SSN and my own bank account. It turns out there is no WAMU in our new home city, so my hubbie said he'll put me on his account. I am not sure if that is possible so easy - I mean I have the SSN, but it states clearly only with DHS authorization - and my J1 expires in August. Can I be added to his account easily (he's with B of A, maybe someone has some experience?)?

And my other question is: if we have a joint account, will we have the same credit score or how can I build up my own? Or will it affect his credit score that I dont have any data? Can I transfer my Mastercard Germany credit score (we dont really have that there, but I always paid on time, and I had a 2500 Euro credit line, so good customer) to improve mine/ours?

Thanks so much, I dont really get the banking system here, it's different (no fee-free online transfers!!!!!)

Anna

[UmmSqueakster 54]

We added my husband to my bank account 2 days after he arrived, before we were married. He didn't have a social. The only issue we had were valid forms of ID, but once that was straightened out, no problem. They wouldn't accept his visa as a form of ID, and didn't ask about his legal status here. I think it really depends on the bank though. Ours is Wells Fargo.

About the credit score, putting Tamer on my account hasn't effected my credit score at all, and it hasn't created one for him. Don't know about the credit card, sorry.

[Reba 2]

You can be added to your husbands chequeing account for a joint account, or you can get your own account. doesn't matter if your SSN says only with DHS authorization, that notation is for employment.

You won't have a credit score here until you can establish it yourself. You *may* be able to piggy-back on your husband's if he can get a joint credit card account for you. OR, if your mastercard that you currently have in Germany is from a company that also has US offices and US$ accounts, you may be able to transfer it after you get a job. I did that with my MBNA Mastercard, I just sent them a letter with a copy of my Canadian MBNA account number and credit limit and they sent me a US$ card. Just don't cancel the German one before that, they won't transfer a cancelled account.

[Donna A 4]

depends on the bank. one of mine let him on with no ssn. and the other one made him wait til he got one.

[Anna C. 4]

Thanks guys... The odd thing is I already got an Amex with my new name for his account (i will be put on it asap, I hope they'll be fine, since I have SSN....).

I'm with Deutsche Bank, and yes, they have a big fat office at Wall Street (they dont do private banking in the US, only business and investments), but they cooperate with B of A (I can get money from their ATMs without paying any fee). Let's hope they'll transfer my credit history

But I assume I have to be there in person to be put on the account, right? It's so weird that I didnt even have to sign anything for the Amex, but that I have to be there to be put on the account. Boohoo.

Another thing: since I will cancel my Wamu account next week, there's all my money which I will have to put on the BoA account. I dont trust checks, we just dont use them, and Wamu takes wopping $25 for a money transfer (tse money vampires!)... Is it possible to go to a BoA with cash and that I say I want to put it on an account which is not mine? Or do I have to wait until the next day when my hubbie arrives to pick me up? I just hate to carry around checks or even worse cash. I'm a plastic lover.

Thanks so much!