Bank Refusing To Open New Account Without Green Card, Is This Correct?

[SM84 6]

Hi

I've recently immigrated to the US on a CR1; I have obtained my driver's license and have my SSN as well.

The manager at the bank I visited is refusing to open a new account on the grounds that I do not have my Green Card. I even showed her that I have a valid Visa and that the visa acts as a temporary GC for a year (Correct me if my understanding of this is wrong) but the manager wouldn't proceed stating that the Patriot Act prevents them from doing this.

If anyone has information, I would like to understand how the Patriot Act prevents a new immigrant from opening a bank account. Is there any resource out there from a government website that states that one must need a GC to open a bank account?

Similarly, my license is only valid for a year. Can I/ Should I renew my license upon receipt of my physical green card?

Please advise.

Thanks.

[Thozelle 16]

Hi

I've recently immigrated to the US on a CR1; I have obtained my driver's license and have my SSN as well.

The manager at the bank I visited is refusing to open a new account on the grounds that I do not have my Green Card. I even showed her that I have a valid Visa and that the visa acts as a temporary GC for a year (Correct me if my understanding of this is wrong) but the manager wouldn't proceed stating that the Patriot Act prevents them from doing this.

If anyone has information, I would like to understand how the Patriot Act prevents a new immigrant from opening a bank account. Is there any resource out there from a government website that states that one must need a GC to open a bank account?

Similarly, my license is only valid for a year. Can I/ Should I renew my license upon receipt of my physical green card?

Please advise.

Thanks.

ITIN, copy of passport, W8-BEN is all it took to get wife added to our bank accounts. One bank has already given her her own account number to open her own checking/savings if she chooses to do SO. of course will have to notify the banks to update when she does immigrate here and gets her SSN.

My experience SSN and ID (ie. drivers license) is all that required to open a bank account.

Regarding the drivers license, that's a personal choice.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

I opened up an account on a visitors visa so I would think that you should be fine.

[Hypnos 6,576]

Find another bank.

I also had one bank that refused to let me open an account whilst my green card application was pending. I wound up filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau over the bank's intransigence, and took my business to another bank who were happy to take me as a customer.

Edited August 30, 2015 by Hypnos

[SM84 6]

The problem is that even though I have all the documents, the manager at the branch is asking me to provide the physical green card which still hasn't arrived even after about 1.5 months. The manager claims that because of the Patriot Act it is not possible to do so without the green card.

Does anyone know how I can sort this out with that manager or escalate against her? I don't know what the procedures are here to escalate this to her superior.

Does anyone know what I should do to check why my GC is taking too long to arrive?

[SM84 6]

Find another bank.

I also had one bank that refused to let me open an account whilst my green card application was pending. I wound up filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau over the bank's intransigence, and took my business to another bank who were happy to take me as a customer.

This bank apparently has the most number of ATM's in the area and as my wife has an account here, I thought it would be best to open an individual account plus a joint account at the same branch.

Inspite of me advising that I have the right to live and work in this country and even showed her my passport with the visa endorsing the fact that it serves as a Temporary GC for 1 year, the manager is adamant that I get the GC.

[Hypnos 6,576]

I opened an account without a green card; the bank officer is mistaken or lying. They may *prefer* to see a green card, but that's not the same thing as "the PATRIOT Act requires it" - when it clearly does not.

As to your missing green card, have you paid the $165 immigrant visa fee? If so, what is your status in ELIS?

Edited August 30, 2015 by Hypnos

[SM84 6]

I opened an account without a green card; the bank officer is mistaken or lying. They may *prefer* to see a green card, but that's not the same thing as "the PATRIOT Act requires it" - when it clearly does not.

As to your missing green card, have you paid the $165 immigrant visa fee? If so, what is your status in ELIS?

Sadly, the person who is mistaken is the branch manager. How do I inform this person that they are wrong with this information and ask them to verify? My last polite attempt was refused with "I am afraid I can't do anything until you have your Green Card as this is required by the Patriot Act". I tried my best to convince her that I have all that is required.

Yes, I paid the $165 before I landed in the US. It's been 1.5 months since I arrived and still no GC. I can't login to ELIS now as it keeps saying its under maintenance and thats been the case for the past 2-3 days. Are you able to access it?

[Hypnos 6,576]

As I said, I would find another bank instead of trying to jump through hoops - do you really want to be a source of income for someone like that?

No idea about ELIS since I've never used it.

[j&ana 363]

If you really like the bank maybe you could call the HQ of the bank tell them your sistuation. If they wil not help then you should file a complaint.You are correct your visa is good for one year as a temporary green card.

Maybe the manager is confusing your visa with a k-1. Since that visa is only good to let someone come to USA. The person will then have to adjust status to be legal residence.Even then I think a person could open a bank account

Edited August 30, 2015 by j&ana

[*Snowdrop* 603]

Which bank is it? Is there another branch you could go to? Another manager might be easier to convince.

[Soup Dragon 104]

As well as opening my own bank account, my husband added me to his bank account and credit card with just my SSN. The bank did ask whether I was a LPR, he just said yes and they said OK, they didn't want to see my green card. We didn't even go to the bank, we did everything over the phone. For my own checking account, they just asked for a scanned copy of my SSN card, that's it.

[Thozelle 16]

Banks are required to have CIP (customer identification procedures) in place. The Patriot Act allows them to be as intrusive as they want. But it is still written procedures. Call or email the banks main office if your insistent on opening an account with that bank. But me, I would find another bank to do business with.

[Toy 18]

The problem is that even though I have all the documents, the manager at the branch is asking me to provide the physical green card which still hasn't arrived even after about 1.5 months. The manager claims that because of the Patriot Act it is not possible to do so without the green card.

Does anyone know how I can sort this out with that manager or escalate against her? I don't know what the procedures are here to escalate this to her superior.

Does anyone know what I should do to check why my GC is taking too long to arrive?

You don't need a green card to open and account.

I opened mine with my passport.

I will suggest you go to another bank.

[Jawaree 717]

Hi

I've recently immigrated to the US on a CR1; I have obtained my driver's license and have my SSN as well.

The manager at the bank I visited is refusing to open a new account on the grounds that I do not have my Green Card. I even showed her that I have a valid Visa and that the visa acts as a temporary GC for a year (Correct me if my understanding of this is wrong) but the manager wouldn't proceed stating that the Patriot Act prevents them from doing this.

If anyone has information, I would like to understand how the Patriot Act prevents a new immigrant from opening a bank account. Is there any resource out there from a government website that states that one must need a GC to open a bank account?

Similarly, my license is only valid for a year. Can I/ Should I renew my license upon receipt of my physical green card?

Please advise.

Thanks.

That's not suppose to be take your business to another bank they are not the only one in town,

even if they relented I would not do biz there, seem this person that run things there

may have personal issues towards foreigners.

I would also call their corporate office complain & let them know myself , family members & friends

have decided to discontinue biz with their banks.

If you have a valid stamp in PP, a social & license , he has no excuse