Frustrated with trying to get money to the US!

[ljj 0]

Ok, I think I have read every post on using Custom House (which is now owned by Western Union) and banking with RBC. I have no idea what to do! I NEED to get some money here, and hopefully my EI cheques (a whole other disaster story) are going to finally start coming soon, and I could really use access to this money. I contacted Custom House and tried to open an account, but they needed me to get a form filled out by a guarantor, and I haven't been able to do this. Is it worth my while to try and open an RBC account in Canada? I currently bank with PC Financial (I still have my parents address as my mailing address so that I don't have to close my accounts) and have several accounts with them, including my RRSP. At this point I just really need some good advice on the best way to get money here (and the cheapest ). Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

[Flames9_RN 358]

Ensure what ever financial institute is looking over ur RRSP's that they know ur no longer a Cdn resident! Their is a form they should send you to fil out! And Ensure u notify the IRS every yr about ur RRSp's on I believe forrm 8891.

I did CH back in 2005, so registration has prob changed. But may be worth ur time to find a guarantor!

You could still get it deposited into ur PC account, but ur exchange rate may not be the best! and then of course ATM fees.

As well you could even try ur USA bank! Ya was a huge hassle for me, but others seemed to be ok with it. Doesnt hurt to ask what thier process is, any fees?

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Ok, I think I have read every post on using Custom House (which is now owned by Western Union) and banking with RBC. I have no idea what to do! I NEED to get some money here, and hopefully my EI cheques (a whole other disaster story) are going to finally start coming soon, and I could really use access to this money. I contacted Custom House and tried to open an account, but they needed me to get a form filled out by a guarantor, and I haven't been able to do this. Is it worth my while to try and open an RBC account in Canada? I currently bank with PC Financial (I still have my parents address as my mailing address so that I don't have to close my accounts) and have several accounts with them, including my RRSP. At this point I just really need some good advice on the best way to get money here (and the cheapest ). Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

Why not have your Ei cheques direct deposited into your PC FInancial account? Give your parents an additional bank card (or the one you currently have if you cannot order another) and have them withdraw the money and send you a US money order? If they're coming to visit have them bring it in cash. There are a few ways to do this...most will involve some fee but hopefully one option is fairly low.

[sheeshkabelle 153]

You can keep your current bank, but keep in mind; checks written on a Canadian account may not be honored, Interac card does not work here, so you can't just swipe and go. You would have to use an ATM machine and be at the mercy of the banks exchange rate and debit card fees along with any fees your bank my have for foreign transactions.

RBC has banking for Canadians in the US. We have an account and it's super easy to transfer money from the Canadian account to the US account, no extra fees and transfer is immediate. (You do have to keep a minimum balance in the Canadian account) They also reimburse ATM withdraw fees up to a certain number per month. I'm not sure what that is because I never withdraw money from an ATM from the US account, I only use the Visa Check Card.

My husband has his paycheck and later will have his EI direct deposited into the Canadian account. After the move he can just transfer the money to the US account online. RBC will also use your Canadian credit history for any credit you take out with their bank, in either the US or Canada. That can be useful until you build up your US credit history.

As for any investments my husband has in Canada, they will stay there. His address is already changed to his parents address in Winnipeg.

[Flames9_RN 358]

You can keep your current bank, but keep in mind; checks written on a Canadian account may not be honored, Interac card does not work here, so you can't just swipe and go. You would have to use an ATM machine and be at the mercy of the banks exchange rate and debit card fees along with any fees your bank my have for foreign transactions.

RBC has banking for Canadians in the US. We have an account and it's super easy to transfer money from the Canadian account to the US account, no extra fees and transfer is immediate. (You do have to keep a minimum balance in the Canadian account) They also reimburse ATM withdraw fees up to a certain number per month. I'm not sure what that is because I never withdraw money from an ATM from the US account, I only use the Visa Check Card.

My husband has his paycheck and later will have his EI direct deposited into the Canadian account. After the move he can just transfer the money to the US account online. RBC will also use your Canadian credit history for any credit you take out with their bank, in either the US or Canada. That can be useful until you build up your US credit history.

As for any investments my husband has in Canada, they will stay there. His address is already changed to his parents address in Winnipeg.

No, if PC financial find sout thatyou have moved out of Canada they say u have to close ur acct! Just last yr when i was back home, needed a new card I almost let it slip that I had moved and the rep wanted to close my acct!! Not sure what kind of power they have to do it!

Just make sure with any investemnts, that they are reported on ur IRS taxes!!

[MissDinaDee 8]

I LOVE my RBC US account... best think I ever did!!!

I can write cheques in the US and easily shop online. I can transfer money for no fees. Which makes a counter deposit made into my Canadian account by anybody in my family super easy. I can almost instantly access the funds. It was worth the wait/hassle of setting these accounts up. I much prefer to have these accounts to manage for the time being. Also, the internet banking is fabulous!

I don't know why I didn't do this sooner! Good luck!!

***Also, Canadian debit cards can be used at some places but not many. I know I have used mine at Safeway without issue.

Edited October 26, 2011 by MissDinaDee

[Colleens 40]

Ok, I think I have read every post on using Custom House (which is now owned by Western Union) and banking with RBC. I have no idea what to do! I NEED to get some money here, and hopefully my EI cheques (a whole other disaster story) are going to finally start coming soon, and I could really use access to this money. I contacted Custom House and tried to open an account, but they needed me to get a form filled out by a guarantor, and I haven't been able to do this. Is it worth my while to try and open an RBC account in Canada? I currently bank with PC Financial (I still have my parents address as my mailing address so that I don't have to close my accounts) and have several accounts with them, including my RRSP. At this point I just really need some good advice on the best way to get money here (and the cheapest ). Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

Open RBC Canada and RBC USA accounts and link the 2 online. Have your EI cheques direct deposited into your RBC canada account, transfer the money to your RBC USA account online and you are good to go. I think I pay a $4 monthly fee for each of my accounts, but there is not charge for transfers. If you have Weigels stores where you live, they have no fee ATM's so you can withdrawl money without it costing you anything (or do cash back when you are shopping).

The only downside is if you don't live near a RBC USA branch it there could be some issues if you ever need a branch. I have been here for 2 years and have yet needed to go to a branch.

[Kimbear 53]

i signed up for custome house online no problem what so ever...got an email couple days later saying it was all good..all i had to do was input info for both us and canadian account..unfortuneately i realized i could not use it as i no longer have my cdn bank account . but this was ohh copule months ago? way after the switch over to western union.

[awkwardsoul 20]

Open RBC Canada and RBC USA accounts and link the 2 online. Have your EI cheques direct deposited into your RBC canada account, transfer the money to your RBC USA account online and you are good to go. I think I pay a $4 monthly fee for each of my accounts, but there is not charge for transfers. If you have Weigels stores where you live, they have no fee ATM's so you can withdrawl money without it costing you anything (or do cash back when you are shopping).

The only downside is if you don't live near a RBC USA branch it there could be some issues if you ever need a branch. I have been here for 2 years and have yet needed to go to a branch.

yeah.. i was worried about this as it appears from the website that all the RBC branches in the US are all east coasty and I'm going to be in California.

I'm having the same problem trying to figure out what to do for banking. I don't have anyone I can leave an extra bank card in Canada. I'm tempted to just close my accounts, dump most of my savings onto Student Loans that won't be interest free anymore and open a bank account in the US/ get added to my fiance's. I checked with my fiance's friend who works for Chase, and he said they will cash Canadian cheques, but it takes extra processing time. But yeah, little nervous about doing that.

[SapphireDreams 71]

yeah.. i was worried about this as it appears from the website that all the RBC branches in the US are all east coasty and I'm going to be in California.

I'm having the same problem trying to figure out what to do for banking. I don't have anyone I can leave an extra bank card in Canada. I'm tempted to just close my accounts, dump most of my savings onto Student Loans that won't be interest free anymore and open a bank account in the US/ get added to my fiance's. I checked with my fiance's friend who works for Chase, and he said they will cash Canadian cheques, but it takes extra processing time. But yeah, little nervous about doing that.

You can't pay student loans with a US account, I have both OSAP and a Line of Credit and they both need to be paid through a Canadian account. Just something to keep in mind.

I use customhouse.com - it was a major pain to set up, but it was soooooo worth it. I highly recommend you look into it again. It's worth the effort.

[pocheros 101]

yeah.. i was worried about this as it appears from the website that all the RBC branches in the US are all east coasty and I'm going to be in California.

I'm having the same problem trying to figure out what to do for banking. I don't have anyone I can leave an extra bank card in Canada. I'm tempted to just close my accounts, dump most of my savings onto Student Loans that won't be interest free anymore and open a bank account in the US/ get added to my fiance's. I checked with my fiance's friend who works for Chase, and he said they will cash Canadian cheques, but it takes extra processing time. But yeah, little nervous about doing that.

In addition to needing an account to pay student loans, you'll want to keep your account open to direct deposit your tax return and employment insurance, should you qualify for it. The CRA won't direct deposit money into a foreign bank account and cashing Canadian cheques can be a pain in the butt.

Edited October 26, 2011 by pocheros

[sheeshkabelle 153]

I've never had to go to an RBC branch for anything. The closest one to me is a state away. Everything came in the mail and we opened the accounts at a branch in Winnipeg.

I didn't know Weigles had no fee ATMs! That's awesome! But Weigles is an East Tennessee thing and not nation wide.

If you have RBC you still have a Canadian account to pay for student loans, bank loans, credit cards etc. Our house payment, credit card and the motorcycle loan all come out of the Canadian account.

[hikergirl 277]

Another vote here for RBC. They are simple to deal with, easy to set-up, easy to transfer between accounts. Although I haven't moved down to the US yet, I have a Visa Check Card from my US account to use for my visits down there.

[ljj 0]

Thanks for the advice everyone. It sounds like RBC is the way to go. My next question is since I am already living in the US, should I try to open a Canadian account through their web-site or should I go to the US branch and organize everything through them?

[awkwardsoul 20]

With the RBC accounts thing.. say I get a physical US cheque err check, how would I deposit it into my account? The nearest branch is probably a 20 hour drive. I know this is probably a lame question.

For student loans.. guessing it's them not wanting to accept american checks? Could just money order it maybe?