Jump to content
freem

Joint bank account or one in my own name?

 Share

8 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

I have now moved to the US and have recently gotten my SSN. I plan on opening up a joint account with my husband but I wonder if there is benefit to having a separate account in my own name as well (to "establish" myself, build credit in my own name etc). Thoughts?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline

I have now moved to the US and have recently gotten my SSN. I plan on opening up a joint account with my husband but I wonder if there is benefit to having a separate account in my own name as well (to "establish" myself, build credit in my own name etc). Thoughts?

Really none that I can think of.

My step-dad has an account of his own because he doesn't want my mom to see where he makes purchases at (for christmas/birthday gifts and such) but that's about the only thing I can think of.

I already have an account and when my husband gets in the US, we will just be adding his name and that's it.

I have a feeling that as time goes on, he might want his own just so he can keep his 'allowance' separate because I handle all of the bills.

oldlady.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have now moved to the US and have recently gotten my SSN. I plan on opening up a joint account with my husband but I wonder if there is benefit to having a separate account in my own name as well (to "establish" myself, build credit in my own name etc). Thoughts?

Having a joint account will come in handy at any USCIS interviews, it shows proof of a bonafide marriage/relationship. Also, if your husband has good to excellent credit, it is a good idea to attach your name to anything of his you can, credit cards, bank accounts, small loans, this will help expedite your credit rating. My wife has established an excellent credit rating in less than a year, simply by "piggybacking' off of my credit.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

We each have individual chequing accounts and joint savings accounts.. That's another possible route (having both).

K-1 Visa 248 Days
Filed: 2011-10-24... Interview: 2012-06-21... Visa Received: 2012-06-27

Adjustment of Status 84 Days

Filed: 2012-11-15... EAD Received: 2013-01-26... Interview: 2013-02-06

Removal of Conditions 166 Days

Filed: 2014-11-10... Card Production: 2015-04-16... Card Received: 2015-04-24

Naturalization 72 Days

Filed: 2024-01-02... Interview: 2024-02-27...Oath Ceremony: 2024-03-15

Link to comment
Share on other sites

To be honest it depends on how you want to do your finances. I know some couples who never have had a joint account and others have both separate and joint and others that do the just joint. I will probably always have a separate account and plan on getting one through RBC so I can communicate financially with Canada.

You guys should discuss how you want to do your finances (pay bills out of a joint account but use separate accounts for individual purchases? pay bills separately? pool everything and use the joint account for everything?) Really it's how responsible each of you are with money and how you two want to do it. No one on here can help you with that. :)

Initially you will have no credit so you will need to build it. Having him co-sign for you makes it easier, but you can do it on your own too since everyone has to at some point! :)

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.  - Dr. Seuss

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

Just my opinion but I think it's a good idea for one to ALWAYS have one's own bank account that no one but you can access, even if you don't plan on using it. Not so much for establishing credit or anything but for protecting oneself, it might come in handy one day. You can still have your own account in addition to a joint account.

Edited by pocheros
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My husband and I each have our own chequing and savings accounts, and we have a joint savings account as well. The joint savings right now is for our house down payment that we are (slowly) building up. Otherwise, what we each make at our jobs goes into our own accounts.

formerly sherrybaby

ROC Process

12-13-2013 * 90 day window to apply opens

02-24-2014 * ROC package sent to USCIS Vermont Service Center

02-25-2014 * ROC package received at USCIS Vermont Service Center

02-26-2014 * NOA1 notice date

02-28-2014 * Cheque cashed

03-05-2014 * Biometrics notice date

03-28-2014 * Biometrics Appointment in Baltimore

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

Having a bank account in your own name doesn't build credit persay so it's really going to be a personal decision for you and your husband to make. Some like it separate, some don't.

I'm the opposite of the poster above - we have joint accounts 100%, 1 pot, we make joint decisions about almost everything and always consult when we're thinking of a larger purchase....it's just what we're comfortable with and what works for us

Wiz(USC) and Udella(Cdn & USC!)

Naturalization

02/22/11 - Filed

02/28/11 - NOA

03/28/11 - FP

06/17/11 - status change - scheduled for interview

06/20?/11 - received physical interview letter

07/13/11 - Interview in Fairfax,VA - easiest 10 minutes of my life

07/19/11 - Oath ceremony in Fairfax, VA

******************

Removal of Conditions

12/1/09 - received at VSC

12/2/09 - NOA's for self and daughter

01/12/10 - Biometrics completed

03/15/10 - 10 Green Card Received - self and daughter

******************

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...