Bank Account sugegstions

[bob.sansmal 14]

So I have a friend who's coming to the U.S. from overseas on a student VISA to study. He's due to arrive next week. He wants to open a bank account over here, and I'm wondering which of the large US banks are the best ones for foreigners to use. He won't be working for at least the first year, so no direct deposit and of course he doesn't have an SSN or a TIN.

Does anyone have any suggestions about which banks are the easiest to work with, lowest fees, etc....

Thanks

[JohnR! 5,495]

So I have a friend who's coming to the U.S. from overseas on a student VISA to study. He's due to arrive next week. He wants to open a bank account over here, and I'm wondering which of the large US banks are the best ones for foreigners to use. He won't be working for at least the first year, so no direct deposit and of course he doesn't have an SSN or a TIN.

Does anyone have any suggestions about which banks are the easiest to work with, lowest fees, etc....

Thanks

Have him talk to his advisor. Some banks offer no fee service to some referrals so his advisor may point him in the right direction. Some banks will also have him fill out the TIN application as part of opening the account.