Bank Account w/o Green Card

[Shirezu 5]

I had no issues with Bank of America. I wanted to go through Wells Fargo as my wife has all her accounts through them but there are no branches where we are living now. All they required from me was my passport and I think they may have looked at my Australian drivers licence. Didn't need an SSN.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

One doesn't even be in the United States. There are oil sheiks who have bank accounts everywhere in the world, New York, Los Angeles and Miami included. They transfer a cool 40 million dollars in the morning, and another 60 million dollars by the end of the week. They sometimes have not even visited the United States once. The bank managers masturbate secretly in their offices just imagining how much money they have just been making. Of course, dumbo the high school drop-out from Podunk Holler, Nebraska, who got a job at the local branch can't possibly comprehend this. Thus, it's essential to speak with someone who has the mental capacity to grasp this. I have personally opened 10 or even 11 bank accounts with several visitors in tow and had only once tell a bank employee that she should learn the basics of her job. I asked for the bank manager, and . . . voila . . . a few minutes later we were set.

[scott76 22]

I think the banks are trying to save themselves from fraudulent accounts..basically covering themselves.

We tried applying for bank of america online and were rejected. I guess we will try Wells Fargo next. Was really trying to avoid them but it's probably inevitable.

[kate&javi 26]

Hey Scott, I know your frustration though. When I tried to add my husband to my account, the girl asked me for his passport and after copying it and putting in all the information, asked for his SSN. At that point, we were still waiting for his card. I was like, ugh!!! Then we added him after we got the SSN card, we got new debit cards for us ordered (my bank charges $5 for new debit cards, which really annoys me) and when we received the debit cards, they had the wrong last names!!! We have two last names because my husband is Latino and I took both his last names (thanks, marriage license!) but we normally use only our first last name but for legal purposes we use both, so our bank account was in both last names... I don't know why but they put the second last name instead of the first... so on Monday I have to head to the bank to try to correct that problem. I already told my husband that if they want me to pay for new ones to fix their mistake, I'm closing my accounts on the spot.

So I understand you completely. Maybe you can call the banks around you before traveling there to figure out their requirements? Might save you some time!

[LeftCoastLady 441]

My husband and I encountered this yesterday when I tried to add him to my ING account where my work checks are deposited. Since they're online, there isn't a physical branch to walk into, meaning it has to be done via phone. At first, they didn't understand what we wanted to do despite both of us calmly explaining that I wanted to add him as a secondary account holder to my existing account. They kept thinking we were trying to open a separate account for him. Then, they transferred us to their "security" department stating they couldn't find/verify his SS# and that it was "too new" and proceeded to fumble for words because he was clearly not knowledgeable about the situation.

That's kinda when I started to go off. I can't stand poor customer service. They've lost a customer and with good timing since Capital One bought their U.S. business and I can't stand Capital One.

As soon as we got off the phone, we headed out to a Chase Bank branch where I have another account. In less than 30 minutes, the account rep changed my name on the account, added my husband to the account (asked to see his passport, piece of mail with our address, and his Social Security Card), had new cards ordered, and I was happily eating chocolate from their goodie basket.

[TimeTravel 78]

Has anyone had success with getting a bank account in their spouses name without having the Green Card? My wife has her EAD card but we are trying to open a separate banking account for her so she can direct deposit her checks. I'd like to find a bank that will let her open an account. Maybe Wells Fargo or someone else?

(my bank won't let me add her until she has the GC, so I am trying to find something for her in the meantime)

Wells Fargo will do it. I believe, if you agree to be a primary holder, and she would be secondary, then this should work out perfectly fine.