Internet US bank account for non-resident - any ideas?

GeorgeTH · 2005-07-21, 09:13 PM

Any help and/or links would be appreciated! |cool|

I'm looking to open a bank account in the USA
- as a non resident (US speak "alien")
- application, etc. all via internet
- reliable bank (prefer one where I could use branches in Latin America, too)

Any recommendations or knowledge if this is actually possible (after the tightening of things in respect of so-called terrorism)?

CHEERS!

SirMoby · 2005-07-21, 11:56 PM

I checked with 2 banks here a few weeks ago and both claimed that a social security number is needed to open an account. That was not the case 5 years ago but as you mentioned they are tightening things up. Both banks claimed that it was the feds but it might just be thier policy.

juggernaut · 2005-07-22, 11:10 AM

Well we had to do this with my wife also. But seriously the banks are just nuts. She went into the bank and opened an account with no SS#. I was shocked they let her does this and we did not get her a number for about 6 months after the account was opened. Man the thoughts of all the bad things I could have done. But from my experience no matter what you do now you will be required to enter the bank and sign something. Unless you have millions (just like me after the lottery tonight 170 mil) Im pretty sure you will have a hard time. If you are not in the US. I would say look for something like Bank of America. I think they are the largest bank in the US. Not sure on that. Or Citi Bank, Chase, anything that is HUGE might be able to help you with this. I would not look at local type of banks. IE Sovereign bank is mostly for mid-east coast USA. If I went to California I would have a hard time finding one of those branches. Or if you have 10k you can always open a Swiss Bank account and I think that can be used anyplace in the world. Not sure how that works either. Hope my limited knoweldge helped.

cd34 · 2005-07-22, 01:56 PM

Delaware Corporation, file for EIN, apply for bank account.

It'll require that you pay about $200 in fees and Delaware has an annual corporate filing fee (I believe). You would have to file a tax report, but, since I'm assuming its a passthrough, your return would be very simple and your taxes minimal. Make sure the fees to do this don't outweigh what you are doing. If you are doing it to get a US Visa/MC merchant account or work with ccbill/paycom, then you're sort of stuck.

GeorgeTH · 2005-07-22, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cd34

...file for EIN

What the ffff.. is an EIN?

I had feared that there's some restriction with social security number or the like...

Anybody else with some positive suggestions? (not these can't 'n' won't things)

cd34 · 2005-07-22, 06:08 PM

EIN = Employer's Identification Number -- its a number issued with an SS-4 form filed with the IRS -- a company's 'social security number'

Then you could open an account with ing.com and be able to access your money worldwide (or any of a number of online banks -- check bankrate.com and look through their ads for banks)

2005-07-21, 09:13 PM	#1
GeorgeTH Don't let a programmer design your front-end pages! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: currently on the road in CA Posts: 781	Internet US bank account for non-resident - any ideas? Any help and/or links would be appreciated! \|cool\| I'm looking to open a bank account in the USA - as a non resident (US speak "alien") - application, etc. all via internet - reliable bank (prefer one where I could use branches in Latin America, too) Any recommendations or knowledge if this is actually possible (after the tightening of things in respect of so-called terrorism)? CHEERS! __________________ Have a nice day!

2005-07-22, 01:56 PM	#4
cd34 a.k.a. Sparky Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: West Palm Beach, FL, USA Posts: 2,396	Delaware Corporation, file for EIN, apply for bank account. It'll require that you pay about $200 in fees and Delaware has an annual corporate filing fee (I believe). You would have to file a tax report, but, since I'm assuming its a passthrough, your return would be very simple and your taxes minimal. Make sure the fees to do this don't outweigh what you are doing. If you are doing it to get a US Visa/MC merchant account or work with ccbill/paycom, then you're sort of stuck. __________________ SnapReplay.com a different way to share photos - iPhone & Android

2005-07-22, 06:08 PM	#6
cd34 a.k.a. Sparky Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: West Palm Beach, FL, USA Posts: 2,396	EIN = Employer's Identification Number -- its a number issued with an SS-4 form filed with the IRS -- a company's 'social security number' Then you could open an account with ing.com and be able to access your money worldwide (or any of a number of online banks -- check bankrate.com and look through their ads for banks) __________________ SnapReplay.com a different way to share photos - iPhone & Android

2005-07-21, 11:56 PM	#2
SirMoby Jim? I heard he's a dirty pornographer. Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 2,706	I checked with 2 banks here a few weeks ago and both claimed that a social security number is needed to open an account. That was not the case 5 years ago but as you mentioned they are tightening things up. Both banks claimed that it was the feds but it might just be thier policy.

2005-07-22, 11:10 AM	#3
juggernaut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Central Jersey! If I was rich and powerful I would dress as my avatar does. Posts: 1,448	Well we had to do this with my wife also. But seriously the banks are just nuts. She went into the bank and opened an account with no SS#. I was shocked they let her does this and we did not get her a number for about 6 months after the account was opened. Man the thoughts of all the bad things I could have done. But from my experience no matter what you do now you will be required to enter the bank and sign something. Unless you have millions (just like me after the lottery tonight 170 mil) Im pretty sure you will have a hard time. If you are not in the US. I would say look for something like Bank of America. I think they are the largest bank in the US. Not sure on that. Or Citi Bank, Chase, anything that is HUGE might be able to help you with this. I would not look at local type of banks. IE Sovereign bank is mostly for mid-east coast USA. If I went to California I would have a hard time finding one of those branches. Or if you have 10k you can always open a Swiss Bank account and I think that can be used anyplace in the world. Not sure how that works either. Hope my limited knoweldge helped.