Allright. Since I've surpassed my daily allowance of cheesiness, I have a serious topic....

We want to open a US account as soon as possible - problem is, most banks will take only a "one person" account application online - and since I don't trust Bren with money at all , I was wondering.....

1. Which banks do you recommend? (specially in the Seattle/WA area)
2. Can you open a join account online with them?
3. How in the F do you do it?

Gratzie molto people.

we have Wells Fargo... they seem to be a pretty good bank...

I am pretty sure they have those up in Washington....

it looks like you can apply for a joint account online with Wells Fargo too....

https://www.wellsfargo.com/customerApp/apps/BeforeYouApply

Gracias my dear.... will check it out!!!

Darn their website for applications is down.
I did find this bankrate.com one, it's pretty cool as it compares banks and options.

mmmm, I managed to access it....

I clicked the link and it said it was down too

now it says that for me too but it didn't before

Bank of America. They are everywhere and pretty decent of a bank. Had them for 3 years without a problem.

Wells Fargo I use for business banking and they are GREAT for that.

Either are good banks IMO. I also have Washington Mutual, and I don't like them at all.

I applied to Navy Federal Credit Union online (not a bank I'd recommend), but they required a copy of my license and SSN card to be faxed to them as well as a minimum deposit send (like 10$ or something) before they would open the account. Just wanted to say that!


I wouldn't recommend BofA.. but that's from my experience.

Are there any banks in the US with no fees?
just curious

WAMU has "free checking" or "free chequeing" lol. But as I say in my personal experience I have been very unhappy with them.

I think it's more common in the US than in Canada actually..

my personal account (Navy Federal) as well as our business account are both no fees..

I've been looking into Citibank myself. I'm trying to avoid Bank of America as I've heard their fees and customer service have something to be desired.

In the meantime, since I'll need a SSN for opening a bank account I'm sure I'll be keeping my savings under the mattress.

LOTS! You'll be in VA so going with Wachovia is probably a good choice. They allowed me to open an account without an SSN or GC (depends on the branch though). Since you're going to be near Flames9, ask him which one he banks at because the manager there is supposed to be pretty good.

Thanks for the tip, misa! I forgot that there was a Wachovia nearby Bee's area... and they have a free checking account with no fees!

Their website says they need a SSN and state ID... hrm, I guess I'll have to check once I get there.

Since when? An SSN is not require for anything aside from government affairs. Both of my bank accounts were opened with a passport.

I've heard from a few people on the boards that some banks won't allow you to open a bank account without a SSN.

I THINK I read on the govt website that even schools are not allowed to ask for an SSN. It is meant to be used for social security only, and not as a means to verify citizenship etc.

I could be wrong but I am pretty sure banks aren't legally allowed to force you to have one.

Wachovia, Firstbancorp, BB&T (bbt.com), RBC Centura (Royal Bank of Canada bought out Centura) and if I might add, IF where you are moving has a small, hometown bank, they are generally much preferable to the large corporate banks. They will bend over backwards to assist you, and usually have minimal requirements for opening an account. Only drawback is lack of locations, but ATMS, and online accounting are pretty common for even the smallest banks these days. Virtually all will give you a Debit card which will work in any ATM. I have accounts at both types, my Business account is with BB&T, and they are pretty fair, just have tons of charges for about anything you do except breathe, and that's probably coming soon. My personal account is with a small local bank and they are great for just about anything I need.

Hope that helps you.

I guess it depends on how accommodating each branch is, really - when it comes down to it, I won't really know until I get to talk to them in person.

Almost every bank I have encountered in my area of the /US has no fees because that is how they compete with each other.

I have WAMU which is out of Seattle, WA. I have them only because my friend works there and was able to get me an account without any SSN or NJ drivers license , etc. We have a joint account from there. I'm confused. A question len- Why can't you go to the bank instead of doing it online? I find that is much easier.

Totally depends on the bank and the branch manager. They have the discretion to open the account or not. I even emailed Bank of America months ago and their official response was long winded but basically, depends on the branch manager.

I remember reading that a branch close to a university or college is more likely to open an account for a non-resident (we're all "non-residents" until we get approved as a "permanent resident") since they most likely will have international students around that need banking.

The guy who opened my account put in a dummy SSN for me. Head office or whatever caught it though a few months later and sent me something to update my SSN which I did after I got one.

As misa said, not all banks or bank managers will open an account for you without an SSN. Wamu wouldn't have let me in the first place if my friend didn't put a dummy SSN number in for me and a very popular bank here, Commerce Bank, refused to open one for me until I was a PR.

Just wanted to add that it's not *supposed* to be required for anything aside from government affairs but the SSN is so misused these days that you need it for so many things like even credit card applications, getting an apartment, getting a cellphone and crap like that. Verizon wouldn't add my name to our phone bill because I didn't have an SSN even though my husband is the primary account holder. I was not allowed to be put on our apartment lease either because I didn't have an SSN.

With so many places having an SSN, no wonder why there's so much damn identity theft.

I don't even remember the last time I had to provide my SIN except for a job, taxes and EI.

Preach it sista!! I TOTALLY agree with you..does no one question this in the US?? I'd be raising stink in Canada if someone tried to do this to me..

It's useless really in the sense they use it for everything now. It seems as though for security reasons, they want to make sure every one is legit before giving them ANYTHING. There is a big fear here that illegals will do something they will eventually run from or can't pay for. Too bad some actual American citizens do that any way!

it's not like a SSN can't be bought though!!

Well I wouldn't know anything about that

Oh we bought ours alright.. just legally i guess tee hee..