Opening joint bank account - Advice?

[Stelare 35]

13 minutes ago, LisaK said:

I am in same situation,  here is the loophole getting one even in your own name. Use the passport in your maiden name and get a bill in your maiden name to your US address open the account in your maiden name just to get the Dam thing open, then next day go back with all ID marriage certificate and they have to change it!!!!!! It's all ridiculous I know 

This is what my husband and I are thinking of doing, but with bank of america instead (since they supposedly don't require SSN?). The people at the local Chase know us and I think Chase requires SSN  Somehow the teller remembered our story, months later.

Edited March 18, 2017 by Stelare

[mallafri76 1,012]

Don't use Chase. They're usually horrible for immigrants. Go to Bank of America instead. I was able to open a bank account with them when I was still living in Sweden. 

[Stelare 35]

2 hours ago, mallafri76 said:

Don't use Chase. They're usually horrible for immigrants. Go to Bank of America instead. I was able to open a bank account with them when I was still living in Sweden. 

Seems the general consensus! Definitely giving BoA a ring this week, just to make sure.

[Michael2017 368]

I am non resident and was able to open a joint bank account with my wife within 5 min. The only thing they asked was my credit card from europe and my driver's licence or passport. Finish, very simple and pleasant. Go Bank of America! 

[neilsqueen 433]

We have M&T checking.  They were awesome when we went into open our account.  Hopefully, you have one in your area you can check out.  Best wishes!

[Sev15 20]

BoA were incredibly helpful when I moved to the USA; they opened a checking account for me with my foreign ID and set me up with an unsecured travel credit card to build credit (9 months later I have great credit) and air miles, got a joint account with my husband no problems. To top it all off my personal banker is an immigrant herself from India, and has guided me through how finances work here and been beyond amazing.

[USC1961 251]

I would look into some local credit unions as opposed to the big traditional banks.  They are usually much more customer friendly. 

[zilchfox 296]

I went with Bank of America. They had no problem taking just my passport and SSN at the time, and then when I got a driver's license they updated the account. 

 

My husband and I have separate checking accounts, but we have a joint savings account. 

[Mike X Man 37]

I opened mine using my Kenyan passport! Local bank called IBC. That is all they needed.

[Ontarkie 14,225]

~~Moved to Moving here and Your New life, from AOS family- As the OP is asking about banking.~~

[Stelare 35]

Just wanted to update those of you that suggested BoA...

Figures there is no location near to where I am. I'm going to give them a ring anyway, but I figure that opening an account requires an appointment at a location :l

 

I think I'm slowly going insane.

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

41 minutes ago, Stelare said:

Just wanted to update those of you that suggested BoA...

Figures there is no location near to where I am. I'm going to give them a ring anyway, but I figure that opening an account requires an appointment at a location :l

 

I think I'm slowly going insane.

oh nooooo...  booo!! that sucks... 

[Team_Healey 6]

On 3/18/2017 at 10:58 AM, MyMistaLovaLova said:

Chase decline my husband and I due to insufficient credit on his part. Granted, we only was opening a joint checking account. I had already a personal savings and checking account with chase with money in each account. 

 

Nonetheless,  VISAJOURNEY users advise to go open the joint account at Bank Of America. Everything was so smooth. In which case I would suggest for you to do the same. Your NOA1 replaces your i-94 so use the letter in the meantime and for the account.

I second Bank of America as a possible alternative to Chase. I am so tired of banks at the moment by the way, they make it so hard for anyone not a US Citizen. All that my husband and I did was make an appointment with a Bank of America Bank Representative and she just needed my husband's driver's license and social security card. I also provided my license and social security card (which I have not changed to my married name) and they accepted it. Your last name does not usually have to be the same as your husbands as that is a personal decision to be made. They opened a checking and savings account for us that day, with both of our names. 

I also know for a fact you can add a second person to your bank account by filing a document through the Bank rep. They will add this person on a bank account and it automatically becomes a joint account. 

If they won't add both of you at the same time, I can only recommend to add yourself later through this method. 

Edited April 10, 2017 by Team_Healey

[Thesmiths2016 117]

On 19 March 2017 at 7:54 AM, Stelare said:

This is what my husband and I are thinking of doing, but with bank of america instead (since they supposedly don't require SSN?). The people at the local Chase know us and I think Chase requires SSN  Somehow the teller remembered our story, months later.

I've been able to open a Bank of America account on two different occasions without an SSN on various trips to the USA.  They used my passport as ID but the second time I did have to provide a local address.  

[MyMistaLovaLova 24]

8 minutes ago, Thesmiths2016 said:

I've been able to open a Bank of America account on two different occasions without an SSN on various trips to the USA.  They used my passport as ID but the second time I did have to provide a local address.  

Thank you!  I actually was able to open a checking and savings from BOA.  Gratefully also opened a secured credit card for him with Discover Card.  Yesterday, we was able to get him a car with me as a co-signer as well.