Just thought some might be interested...... on Thursday I opened an account in my own name (not joint accnt) at US Bank. Chose them as they are the only bank locally here that has online facilities and can't cope without that after life in the UK (rarely went into my bank). This was actually my second attempt as I had previously forgotten my green card.

All it took was my green card, proof of address (couple of letters addressed to me) SSN and I showed them my wage slip though they weren't interested, $100 and the account was opened.

Bad News . The online access isnt avail when I got home as it appears I need my PIN of the debit card that of course hasnt arrived yet
She forgot to give the paperwork she promised me to set up direct deposit for my lil pay cheque
I declined cheques/checks as I am a Brit and refused to pay $10 for a load of cheques I'd rarely use

Good News (and this was the point of the post) having opened the account the girl asked if I'd like a Credit Card as she had just checked and I qualified for a $2000 credit limit Now I can only state that having read how difficult it is to get credit here I was totally shocked and of course said yes please! (I hasten to add hubby has no accounts/connection there at all) .

SO I dunno if they have lax criteria or what but that was how easy it was to get credit here for me (I didn't even want it )