Opening a bank account in the US

[stevensane 10]

I am not sure where to post this, so thought I would just post it here and if it gets moved it gets moved!

I am anticipating my visa (K-1) to be approved over the coming months and to move to the US in late March/early April.

After I bet Adjustment of Status I am planning to seek employment. Obviously to do this I will need to open a new bank account. I had a bank account as a student, but didn't like the bank so would like to open another one. Will the new bank be aware of my old (presumably now dormant as I haven't used it since 2007) bank account?

Are there any banks I should avoid/any that are preferable for immigrants?

Is there a possibility of opening a bank account for an international bank (HSBC, for example) in the UK and using that in the US?

Any general information is appreciated!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Have you also considered being added to your fiancé/wife's current bank account? USCIS likes that when you go to proving you are not marrying for greencard scam. Joint bank statements are normal evidence for adjustment of status, removing conditions and naturalization applications.

I don't see how a new bank would know or care about any previous banks.

[stevensane 10]

Have you also considered being added to your fiancé/wife's current bank account? USCIS likes that when you go to proving you are not marrying for greencard scam. Joint bank statements are normal evidence for adjustment of status, removing conditions and naturalization applications.

I don't see how a new bank would know or care about any previous banks.

I had thought of that, yes. She is with the United Nations Federal Credit Union. There are a number of limitations to becoming a member, but one of the possible avenues is: "Individuals who reside in and share financial responsibility of a household with a UNFCU member" So I suppose I should look into that. Not entirely sure what kind of 'financial responsibility' they are looking for. Paying rent/mortgage payments, I suppose.

I was also thinking about an HSBC International Current Account.. The next research project I suppose!

[nobbie 105]

I banked with HSBC in the UK so opened an account with them in the US, the reasoning being if I needed any type of credit they could get my credit history and references from the UK.

[stevensane 10]

I banked with HSBC in the UK so opened an account with them in the US, the reasoning being if I needed any type of credit they could get my credit history and references from the UK.

Thanks. Can you use this HSBC account as a bank account for a job in the US? For example if you provide them with this UK sortcode and account number can your employer pay you via that method? (if that makes sense).

[bob.sansmal 14]

The HSBC branches in the US are a seperate entity from the non-US ones. A US employer sending funds to an account opened overseas will be making an international funds transfer. I would imagine that having an overseas HSBC account and developing a history with them might make it easier to open an account over here as some of the banking relationship might transfer - but I think you will probably need top open up a new account at a US branch.

Bank of America actually makes it easy to open up an account without a SSN making it attractive for people who will be here without getting one (i.e. students), but as soon as you get yours (which you'll be eligible for right after marriage) it'll be pretty easy to open an account just about anywhere.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I think you might be over thinking this. You are moving to America. Get on with any American bank/credit union and mix your money with you wife's so immigration can see a co-mingling of funds. Just jump into America so to speak. It's your new home. Some choose to keep all their monies separate, yes. But then you have to be extra creative to come up with other thing to show you co-mingle your lives and finances.

That's just my opinion, but I am pretty sure it helped our removing conditions. We lacked a lot of standard evidence but our bank statements print thumbnails of checks written. I am the check writer, but I purposely had hubby take turns writing some of the checks so there was 2 years history that we actively both used that account to pay the same people. Now that he is a citizen, I am again the sole check writer. It's a game to plan for your removing conditions from the time your marry so you have a packet of evidence covering two years of dates.

Federal Credit Unions are different from banks and often have some good perks. They often (or used to) have a membership requirement so any bloke can't walk in and open an account. My credit union was for employees of a certain company. But you could be married to or the relative of a member and get an account. I never worked for that company, but added my British husband to my account the week we married and before he had a SSN. Maybe your wife's credit union will do the same for a spouse. Depends on their charter I suppose.

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

~ Moved from K-1 Process to Moving Here and Your New Life in America - topic about getting bank account, not a K-1 process~