Can I open a US bank account?

comicmankev

Living in the UK as a UK born resident, am I able to open a US bank account and use their debit cars whilst in the US???

This would benefit in 2 ways:

1 - To save on CC fees
2 - To withdraw from paypal into it to save on dodgy currency exchanges they use!

jonesMUFCforever

You can open a dollar account through most UK banks but be aware that there are charges involved. These accounts are not free and you may be charged even if you do not use the account.
To open an US account,in the current climate you may have to go to to the bank in person with your id and address confirmation. If you do not live in the USA you might find that they will not offer you an account that you want. Why not try a bank like Citibank , phone up their London Head office and see what they can offer.
Eric

Economikrisis

You can only open a US bank account whislt in the US if you have a Social Security Number which you can get only if you are a legal resident in the US(and not a visitor/tourist).

If you are eligible to get a Social Security Number then the process is simple-all you have to do is to take your ID with you and the rest will be sorted out by the Customer Service Rep at the branch.

Most UK banks offer a US Dollar account which you probably might be able to get as a UK resident.

Goodluck

deemy2004

On a slightly off topic

Whilst I was in the USA in JUly 02 - Apparently egg used the spot rate of exchange without taking any expected % fee off ?

I don't know why they did this, error ? policy ? or if it would happen now.

Egg green card.

student100

You can only open a US bank account whislt in the US if you have a Social Security Number which you can get only if you are a legal resident in the US...

That's not quite true...I worked in the USA (on a BUNAC summer exchange program) this summer and I had to apply for a social security number. I did have a visa so I suppose that made me a temporary resident or something...

Most US banks seem to have charges for everyday transactions unless you have a large accout balance - even withdrawals and cheques are not free like most banks in the UK. Unless you are in the US for a long time and work there getting paid in dollars I would have thought you'd be better with a british Nationwide account which has no fees for withdrawals abroad.

mos

as what i know, some banks in US do open account to
visitors, try those small banks. :P

just present ur passport.

US dollar account seems very expensive in UK.

MarkyMarkD

On a slightly off topic

Whilst I was in the USA in JUly 02 - Apparently egg used the spot rate of exchange without taking any expected % fee off ?

I don't know why they did this, error ? policy ? or if it would happen now.

Egg green card.

How "apparently"? This is very unlikely given that Egg do apply the standard charge on conversion. But in 02 that charge wouldn't have been shown separately on the statement.

deemy2004

How "apparently"?  This is very unlikely given that Egg do apply the standard charge on conversion.  But in 02 that charge wouldn't have been shown separately on the statement.

Nope

The crazy fools used the spot rate of exchange WITHOUT adjusting for, thats why I think it was an error, anyway thats how I remember it, my memory may be wrong ?

MarkyMarkD

But how do you know that?

deemy2004

Every transaction displayed the exchange rate. So on my return I recall checking what egg used and the actual spot rate on the days of the transactions and thought, hey ! there just about the same ! inseatd of being 5 or more cents away as I would have expected them to be.

mm66

If you visit US you can open account. You dont have to be a resident as long as you open a non-resident account. Not all branches do it so it is a bit of a search. If you have a HSBC UK account for atleast 6 months they might give you a referral/introduction.

As regards charges open a simple checking account and do most of your banking online which you would have to do if you operate if out of UK. This is all free and you can issue cheques and they will mail it etc etc.

Significant savings on the exchange rates for paypal and ease of buying cheaper US products online if you have a place to send it in US and then have it sent to you by mail or collect them on your visit there. You can arrange to get a PO Box at small UPS franchises etc.