Joint account

[Donna29 3]

Good day! 

My girlfriend from the US, and I from the Philippines, is planning to make a joint debit account that is accessible in both countries. Preferably with a debit card for each one. Is this possible? If yes, then thru what bank? If no, what are my other options? Thank you 

[Adventine 3,213]

Following as I am going through almost the same process with my fiancé. The only difference is that we want separate USD accounts for now. He talked to his relationship manager at his US bank about the steps involved. Once I have updates, I'll post in this thread.

[Donna29 3]

Thanks... I appreciate that. 

[Adventine 3,213]

7 minutes ago, Donna29 said:

Thanks... I appreciate that. 

Welcome! If you manage to set up a joint account too, please also update us about your own experience.

[Donna29 3]

Yes I will post an update. 

[millefleur 5,047]

**Moved from Off Topic to PHIL regional forum**

[flicks1998 1,044]

17 hours ago, Donna29 said:

Good day! 

My girlfriend from the US, and I from the Philippines, is planning to make a joint debit account that is accessible in both countries. Preferably with a debit card for each one. Is this possible? If yes, then thru what bank? If no, what are my other options? Thank you 

Are you a US citizen? PR? Have a social security number for the US? Since 9-11 US banking has changed dramatically.  If you answered no to all those questions it’s not possible.  What you can do is have her open an account in her name, get two debit cards, mail you one and then you can use the ATM for withdrawals. I would recommend a Schwab account for this as ATM withdrawals are free. However she’ll need to continuously put a travel alert on her account as they will pick up money being withdrawn in two countries. The travel alert may help prevent the account being put on hold. However if you want a joint account and you have no ties to the US it’s not possible. 
 

If your gf wanted to open a BDO account while she lived in the US would that be possible?  Of course not. Same applies to the US. 

[Adventine 3,213]

An alternative is to ask the partner in the States to set you up as an authorized user on one of their US credit cards. Not quite OP's original objective that concerned a joint debit account+debit cards, but is a workable alternative. I just got added as an authorized user to one of my fiancé's credit cards.

Edited January 13, 2021 by Adventine

[Allovertheworld 355]

Charles Schwabb is about the best solution

[Donna29 3]

6 hours ago, Adventine said:

An alternative is to ask the partner in the States to set you up as an authorized user on one of their US credit cards. Not quite OP's original objective that concerned a joint debit account+debit cards, but is a workable alternative. I just got added as an authorized user to one of my fiancé's credit cards.

Well.. We're not really looking into credit cards.. We both have negative views in it.. 

[Donna29 3]

1 hour ago, Allovertheworld said:

Charles Schwabb is about the best solution

I will look into it. Thank you 

 

6 hours ago, flicks1998 said:

Are you a US citizen? PR? Have a social security number for the US? Since 9-11 US banking has changed dramatically.  If you answered no to all those questions it’s not possible.  What you can do is have her open an account in her name, get two debit cards, mail you one and then you can use the ATM for withdrawals. I would recommend a Schwab account for this as ATM withdrawals are free. However she’ll need to continuously put a travel alert on her account as they will pick up money being withdrawn in two countries. The travel alert may help prevent the account being put on hold. However if you want a joint account and you have no ties to the US it’s not possible. 
 

If your gf wanted to open a BDO account while she lived in the US would that be possible?  Of course not. Same applies to the US. 

Alright.. Thank you I'll check it out.. 

[Allovertheworld 355]

1 hour ago, Donna29 said:

Well.. We're not really looking into credit cards.. We both have negative views in it.. 

As a Consumer I don't like Credit Cards

 

As a business owners I hate Credit Card, They are like a organized crime and should be outlawed

[John & Rose 7,239]

We tried to do this.  I was not allowed to be on the account there.  We went to BPI and BDO together and they said that my wife can open an account but my name could not be on it.  We opened her account and she is here but keeps it.  We add money to it through Remitly for no cost if we have a couple days before it needs to be there.  Now when we or her kids visit they have access to the money and account.  It has worked great for the 2 years we've been doing it.  We have a home there and have internet and video keeping an eye on things so we have a few bills that get paid through that account.  Here we have a few joint accounts but there, unless you are a Philippine citizen BPI and BDO said no go.  It may be different for other banks.

 

[John & Rose 7,239]

10 hours ago, Allovertheworld said:

As a Consumer I don't like Credit Cards

 

As a business owners I hate Credit Card, They are like a organized crime and should be outlawed

Agreed...it really upset my wife when she came here but an American needs a little debt to establish a decent credit score as most aren't able to pay cash for a house and cars.  A necessary evil.  Dangerous for many and the banks love them!

[Jordan & Jenet 48]

Personally I just setup a new checking account at the same bank my primary checking/savings is at and sent the debit card to my Fiance, then gave her the pin so that she can use the account to withdrawal cash at the ATM no questions asked.

 

Works well and I just setup an automatic transfer from my primary checking to the second account the 1st of every month.

Jordan