Bank refuses to add my wife to my account

[lovinglive 24]

Hello all, 

 

I'm wondering if you may have some insight into this problem and how to get around it.  My wife needs to be able to prove her residence in order to do things like get a driver's license or ID.  My bank initially was willing to take her on as my spouse but then for some unknown reason they denied her and said "they won't do business with her".  I'm not sure if this is because she has a new SSN, no credit history, etc.

 

Basically we want her to have a bank account but even more urgently to prove her address.

 

Will other banks also cause the same problem?  Should we just try another bank?

 

[M+K IL 102]

Utility companies are normally happy adding a spouse to the account immediately, you can use that as proof of address.

 

Are you sure that's what is lacking? You indicated the bank did not provide an explanation.

[powerpuff 6,697]

Some banks give you a hard time. Citi, Chase especially. Try Bank of America, they require minimal stuff

[JeanneAdil 6,491]

I was able to add my husband when he was still in Moroc

Try changing banks

Or go get her state ID with real ID

[lovinglive 24]

2 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

I was able to add my husband when he was still in Moroc

Try changing banks

Or go get her state ID with real ID

Thanks, how can you get a State ID if they require these documents sent to the address?  We have mail from USCIS but need one more.  

[JeanneAdil 6,491]

3 minutes ago, lovinglive said:

Thanks, how can you get a State ID if they require these documents sent to the address?  We have mail from USCIS but need one more.  

like the above says add her a utility bill like water,  gas or electric

you do not post your state so i can not give u the state DL info

just look up what your state requires for DL and/or state ID by google the question per state 

Edited June 14, 2023 by JeanneAdil

[beloved_dingo 1,976]

My bank was able to add my spouse before he had his SSN, but the person assisting me had to get a supervisor involved because there were some obstacles to get around. The bank employees were extremely helpful and understanding of our unique situation. This was PNC btw.

 

Side note - at that time, he couldn't be added on an interest-bearing account. So they got him on my checking account, but not savings. 

[YecaCruz 379]

2 hours ago, lovinglive said:

Hello all, 

 

I'm wondering if you may have some insight into this problem and how to get around it.  My wife needs to be able to prove her residence in order to do things like get a driver's license or ID.  My bank initially was willing to take her on as my spouse but then for some unknown reason they denied her and said "they won't do business with her".  I'm not sure if this is because she has a new SSN, no credit history, etc.

 

Basically we want her to have a bank account but even more urgently to prove her address.

 

Will other banks also cause the same problem?  Should we just try another bank?

 

Wiiiierd. I've worked at a bank since 2011. Unless the banker was a having a bad day there should have been a reason that they couldn't open one for her and you SHOULD have been told that reason(s). Can you add her on any of your accounts, or add her as a co-signer or authorized user to any of your credit cards? That way when the next statement cycles, her name would be listed along with the address. The only reason we wouldn't open an account at the bank I work at is if the person has unsettled charge-offs with other banks. No credit history is not a factor where I work but I supposed that doesn't mean other banks may look at that. Bad credit is another story, which I'm sure she doesn't have anyway.

Edited June 14, 2023 by YecaCruz

[lovinglive 24]

30 minutes ago, YecaCruz said:

Wiiiierd. I've worked at a bank since 2011. Unless the banker was a having a bad day there should have been a reason that they couldn't open one for her and you SHOULD have been told that reason(s). Can you add her on any of your accounts, or add her as a co-signer or authorized user to any of your credit cards? That way when the next statement cycles, her name would be listed along with the address. The only reason we wouldn't open an account at the bank I work at is if the person has unsettled charge-offs with other banks. No credit history is not a factor where I work but I supposed that doesn't mean other banks may look at that. Bad credit is another story, which I'm sure she doesn't have anyway.

Thanks, that's good to know to put it into perspective.  I tried opening a shared account at an investment broker that also offers bank accounts and that seems to have sailed through without any issues.

 

It seems adding her to a credit card as an authorized user is another good idea.  Thanks for your help!

[lovinglive 24]

42 minutes ago, beloved_dingo said:

My bank was able to add my spouse before he had his SSN, but the person assisting me had to get a supervisor involved because there were some obstacles to get around. The bank employees were extremely helpful and understanding of our unique situation. This was PNC btw.

 

Side note - at that time, he couldn't be added on an interest-bearing account. So they got him on my checking account, but not savings. 

Thanks, that's useful information.  We'll keep trying.

[YecaCruz 379]

10 minutes ago, lovinglive said:

Thanks, that's good to know to put it into perspective.  I tried opening a shared account at an investment broker that also offers bank accounts and that seems to have sailed through without any issues.

 

It seems adding her to a credit card as an authorized user is another good idea.  Thanks for your help!

no problem. The first things I did with my then-husband when he got here was add him as an authorized signer (to help build up his credit) and add him to as many bills and accounts I could think of: banking and retirement accounts, apartment rental lease, phone & utilities, car insurance,. If they questioned why I would state that it was for immigration purposes as proof of shared finances to support his change of status. We also created notarized durable and medical power of attorney documents.

 

Good luck! If all else fails, take your accounts elsewhere and let them silly bankers know you are going to find someone who better serves your needs. Get them where it hurts lol. Would be even better if it was a bank across the street or something!

Edited June 14, 2023 by YecaCruz

[GEOntificator 281]

3 hours ago, lovinglive said:

Hello all, 

 

I'm wondering if you may have some insight into this problem and how to get around it.  My wife needs to be able to prove her residence in order to do things like get a driver's license or ID.  My bank initially was willing to take her on as my spouse but then for some unknown reason they denied her and said "they won't do business with her".  I'm not sure if this is because she has a new SSN, no credit history, etc.

 

Basically we want her to have a bank account but even more urgently to prove her address.

 

Will other banks also cause the same problem?  Should we just try another bank?

 

Wells Fargo gives bank accounts to tourists on B1/B2. I am sure they will happily take your wife with SSN.

Edited June 14, 2023 by kvito28

[top_secret 2,417]

Since there has been recent instability in banking, some banks have become very conservative lately.  Generally, whenever you open a new checking account they pull your ChexSystems report, similar to a credit report and with a score like a credit score. Immigrants would have poor scores due to no recent history, new social security number that never appeared anywhere before, etc.  Probably most banks would have the common sense to understand the reason and go get supervisors approval to override the poor score.  But there are few banks out there who would just say low score means no account. You can check your ChexSystems report and score here under consumer disclosure laws. https://www.chexsystems.com/request-reports/consumer-disclosure 

[TBoneTX 45,266]

6 hours ago, YecaCruz said:

We also created notarized durable and medical power of attorney documents.

This is brilliant advice, both for banking validation and for "life."  (Add wills and other estate documents, too.)

6 hours ago, YecaCruz said:

If all else fails, take your accounts elsewhere and let them silly bankers know you are going to find someone who better serves your needs.

^^ This.  Regional or local banks might be more flexible than the nationwide banks.

6 hours ago, YecaCruz said:

Would be even better if it was a bank across the street or something!

Not only stick the knife in, but twist!   

[Redro 4,611]

22 hours ago, lovinglive said:

Thanks, how can you get a State ID if they require these documents sent to the address?  We have mail from USCIS but need one more.  

For proof of address to get my driver's I used: My SSN card (had address on it), mail addressed to USC husband AND marriage certificate. It was issued no problems. I would also go to a different bank if they are giving you issues. Not wanting to help you open the account will probably be the first of the many issues you encounter with the bank when trying to do anything... 

Edited June 15, 2023 by Redro