Banks that allow overseas spouse

[CO_Tonya 55]

We use Bank of America as well, and we have had not a single issue. 

[Cyberfx1024 7,978]

8 hours ago, JC&BS said:

No.

My wife had to actually be in the USA in order to add them.

[mcdull 474]

HSBC. Opened a US account for me while I was in Hong Kong. 

[R&OC 355]

I opened an account by myself when my husband and I were just dating. And I did not give my SSN because the day I opened it, I could not recall nor find it (I had not used it in 15 years). 

 

I had no problem opening an account with Citibank.

[ramesesthe2nd 149]

My wife is currently in the US. We went to Chase to add her to my account and Chase wanted to see something with her residential address proof. As she is not a resident yet, we had no bills and IDs for her with local address. Chase didn't recognize my apartment lease (with my wife's name on it) as a valid proof of address. In short, I wasn't able to add my wife to my account. We came back thinking it was not worth the trouble; I will add her when she is back here later in summer on her permanent resident visa. 

 

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

Sorry as I should have added you need a POA from foreign spouse to do banking traansactions (meaning to add his name to your account)

[JC&BS 75]

1 hour ago, adil-rafa said:

Sorry as I should have added you need a POA from foreign spouse to do banking traansactions (meaning to add his name to your account)

What does POA mean?

[ms_bobdog 501]

Wells Fargo allowed me to be made a joint account holder with my husband and then from there open my own individual account, with just my passport and my husband's residential address. I was physically in the US though, for that to happen. 

[Chris Duffy 1,256]

15 hours ago, JC&BS said:

What does POA mean?

Power of Attorney

[Chris Duffy 1,256]

Get a personal banker where you bank. I use Bank of America, I can call him and tell him to set me up and account and he even knows what password I want. I don't have to step inside the bank for all of this

 

BOA will make it happen if you get an personal banker.

[Unidentified 2,930]

Capital One had no issues letting me open a bank account when I came here as an Au Pair. I think I only showed them my SSN. It was trickier when I wanted to open a bank account at Bank of America with my husband while waiting on my Green Card. We had to wait a long time while she checked with her manager and a whole bunch of stuff before she finally let us open a bank account. I am pretty sure she called their headquarters or something just to verify I could actually open an account. 

[geowrian 22,335]

While it has been noted in the prior posts, I think it's worth repeating that there's a considerable difference between obtaining a joint account when both parties are physically in the US vs when the beneficiary is abroad, and the beneficiary does not have an existing SSN. The Patriot Act implemented a number of restrictions to cover this circumstance. I absolutely won't say it's impossible (it seems like some individuals have had success with some banks), but it does present challenges.

[JC&BS 75]

14 hours ago, Chris Duffy said:

Get a personal banker where you bank. I use Bank of America, I can call him and tell him to set me up and account and he even knows what password I want. I don't have to step inside the bank for all of this

 

BOA will make it happen if you get an personal banker.

I have made an appointment. Thx.