US Dollar Accounts at Canadian Banks

[dearheart 0]

I've been enjoying this thread! I have a question. We will be moving to California and I checked out the RBC Centura site and it said there are no branches within 200 miles. Would this work for me? Right now we are banking with PC Financial and do most things online. When we move we will have some automatic payments coming out like Life Insurance, SGI car insurance and some charitable donations. We are having a bit of a housing boom here in our sleepy town in Sask so we are hoping to have some cash lingering in our PCF account until we can get settled down in Calif.

I am assuming we would need to be close to an ATM to at least deposit money into the Centura account to transfer it to the RBC account.

Is it better in our case to go with Custom House since Centura is no where near California?

[dearheart 0]

What about PayPal? Right now I have a paypal account that is linked to my PCF account. I am the USC. I also have a joint account with my mom in California. It looks like I may be able to link that account to paypal also. Could I then transfer money from my US account into Paypal and then transfer the money to my PCF account?

[Tinker 0]

I told the woman at RBC when I signed up that I wasn't close to anything from RBC Centura, she told me I can use the CIRRUS (sp) ATM's as well and do all my banking online. I know they're down there, because I use to use them to get money out of my Canadian account. She told me there are alot of people that aren't close to an actual Centura Branch.

I have no clue about PayPal.

Oh yeah, be careful, I thought I read somewhere that P.C. doesn't like American addresses. I thought I read it on here. On a side note, just went and cashed in all my P.C. points and got my daughter some Gift cards so she can't tell me she has no money and is starving at University

[dearheart 0]

I told the woman at RBC when I signed up that I wasn't close to anything from RBC Centura, she told me I can use the CIRRUS (sp) ATM's as well and do all my banking online. I know they're down there, because I use to use them to get money out of my Canadian account. She told me there are alot of people that aren't close to an actual Centura Branch.

I have no clue about PayPal.

Oh yeah, be careful, I thought I read somewhere that P.C. doesn't like American addresses. I thought I read it on here. On a side note, just went and cashed in all my P.C. points and got my daughter some Gift cards so she can't tell me she has no money and is starving at University

So you can deposit into the CIRRUS ATM also?

[dearheart 0]

Looking at their website I can't see a way to deposit money into our account through an ATM. The only way I can see it happening is through their bank -by-mail, which I'm not sure I'm comfortable with sending a check to deposit in the mail across the country. http://www.rbccentura.com/help/wtb.html

[Tinker 0]

I just read that and still understand I can make deposits at any ATM. The woman at the bank said the same.

I'm planning to use it mainly to transfer, pay bills and to have my own spending money. We're a going to open a joint account when I get down there anyway.

Wish mwinburn would come on here and explain that part more

OH called Capital One, they will NOT transfer accounts over the border. I thought maybe cause they were here and in the States they might.

Edited August 24, 2007 by Tinker

[Flames9_RN 358]

Ya PC doesn't like it if u have an American addy!! They told me thatI would have to close my acct!! So i just gave them my parents Sk addy!! If i had to do it over again, would have closed PC and opened a RBC acct. Maybe not used it to TX $$$, all depends on which had the better exchange rate (RBC or custom house) I also TX $$$ from my USA bank to PC acct when traveling to Canada, then just use debit card! I keep my Cdn acct at pretty much a zero balance ( a dollar or two)

[dearheart 0]

Ok, sorry, I just called Centura and they said I could deposit at any ATM 9even if it's at another bank) it would just have a $2 charge. Hmmm, it's got me thinking again.

[Tinker 0]

Ok, sorry, I just called Centura and they said I could deposit at any ATM 9even if it's at another bank) it would just have a $2 charge. Hmmm, it's got me thinking again.

Phew you did have me worried. I keep thinking NOTHING is that easy!

[dearheart 0]

The Canadian account is in CDN and the Centura one is in Dollars. The CDN will always have the $4 fee, no matter how much of a balance you maintain. The Centura one will charge you $4 only if your balance is below $700. Currency exchanges are instantaneous and they show you the exchange rate prior to submitting it. There is no fee for it.

Just to Clarify - when I go into the RBC here in Sask am I asking for a Day to Day banking account and then a Centura acct OR am I asking for the RBC Access USA account? I'm sorry I'm so slow on this.

[dearheart 0]

The Canadian account is in CDN and the Centura one is in Dollars. The CDN will always have the $4 fee, no matter how much of a balance you maintain. The Centura one will charge you $4 only if your balance is below $700. Currency exchanges are instantaneous and they show you the exchange rate prior to submitting it. There is no fee for it.

Just to Clarify - when I go into the RBC here in Sask am I asking for a Day to Day banking account and then a Centura acct OR am I asking for the RBC Access USA account? I'm sorry I'm so slow on this.

Okay, here i go again. I apologize for this...

Just read this "2. If I am not currently a client of RBC Financial Group - can I sign up for RBC Access USATM?

RBC Access USATM was exclusively designed for RBC Royal Bank clients with personal accounts. If you would like to access the features of RBC Access USATM you should contact your nearest RBC Royal Bank branch today to open a personal account or call 1-800-769-2553 to discuss your U.S. banking needs. "

So, this is what I am understanding. I bank right now at PC Financial. So I would need to open a "Day to Day" personal account and then I would be able to open the RBC Access USA account which would then link me to a Royal Embassy Checking Account with Centura.

[~Nini~ 2]

So I would need to open a "Day to Day" personal account and then I would be able to open the RBC Access USA account which would then link me to a Royal Embassy Checking Account with Centura.

That's right. From what I read off the info package that the financial officer gave me, it's a required component of the RBC Access USA package to have an account in Canada.

My main concern (still) is the fact that I won't be able to deposit checks easily around Bee's area - but if so, a $2 fee is better than nothing!

I would love to know more about Customhouse though - I know flames is a huge supporter of it, but how do you get that set up, and what have people's experiences been like?

[Flames9_RN 358]

there are a few others on here that have used Customhouse (CH) its very easy to set up, but doesnt set up instantly!!! goto their website and there is instructions there. Been a long time since i set up my acct, but it was easy. You fill out the initial required info and its emailed in. You have to send them 2 pieces of ID. Can mail it in, fax it in, or scan it and email it in (secure server) as well somewhere along the process you have to send in your banking info (cdn acct and usa bank info) as well they do a very quick phone interview. You give them a time window, and they call to verify a few things!! I scanned and emailed the required info, and was up and running in a few days! To make a $$$ transaction it takes 3 to 4 BUSINESS days to complete. I have done it both ways---$$$ from Canada to usa acct, and from my usa actt to my Cdn acct!! Never had a problem. Customer service is top notch (phone and email) their head office is downtown Victoria (near the bus station) Walked by it many times when lived in Vic!! There are NO fees if u do it electronically (EFT) u can do a wire tx, but that costs money. And when making the transaction, you wil see the exchange rate, if u dont like it, you can cancel, OR hit the refresh button and it may go up or down,lol Sort of like gambling!! keep hitting refresh, and if it still isnt working in ur favor, just cancel the transaction! Your not bound to it, until you ACCEPT it!! So u can check the exchange rate at CH, and then phone ur bank and see what they are offering!! And do ask if the bank charges any fees!! Wachovia didnt charge me any fees, BUT their exchange rate was never as good as CH. Only thing to keep in mind with CH, is that it takes 3-4 business days to complete, so if u need the $$$$ NOW, not a very good option. Never used their wire services, so can't comment on that. Cheers

[~Nini~ 2]

flames, is there a setup charge associated with this, or a monthly fee?

I tried using their demo and that was a bit confusing, but I'm hoping there's a better tutorial.

[Flames9_RN 358]

No FEES what so ever!!! It is very easy to do, what one is doing is a "basic trade" One can phone them, and they are very happy to lead u through the process. Keep in mind they are in Victoria BC!. I'm in Canada right now (on a unsecure wireless network) so I can't log on and give u step by step instructions, but it only takes seconds to do it, very easy and painless.