UK citizen opening an American Bank Account

[ali_alic]

I need to open an American Bank Account as I am looking into purchasing a holiday home in USA. Unfortunately as I am not a USA citizen (British) I am finding it difficult to find a US bank that will do this, Does anyone know of an American Bank that could help?? Cheers in advance!!

Ali

x

[Ethel]

It is because of the recent terrorist activity. Here is a list of American banks that have offices in the UK.

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new///acs/uk/ banks-us_in_uk.pdfr />
It may be worth telephoning a few for advice.

Also, contact the American Embassy in London - they may be able to help.

You may have to set up a company to open the bank account.

[spudqueen]

I know that 20 years ago NatWest had some some of sister (or cousin!) bank in America, it could be worth asking your bank if they do have favoured banks they do business with in the States and if they could help you open an account with them.

[ali_alic]

Thanks Ethel and spudqueen. Am still trying all avenues!! I have 2 accounts with NatWest, so willgive them a bash today!!

xx

[matchmade]

Citibank offers normal cheque accounts denominated in sterling, US dollars and euros. From memory you won't get UK-style cheque guarantee cards, but that needn't matter. A lot cheaper than using other rip-off current conversion and transfer charges, if you will be writign cheques regularly.

Why though don't you just open an account in the US. I live there for four years and had no problems opening an account. The main problem is the banking sector is very split up and only one or two banks offer a true nationwide service. Even using a local bank cheque in a supermarket can involve a nightmare of ID checks: they prefer cards or cash.

[ali_alic]

Cheers matchmade, I have actually got an application goin on with Citibank at the mo. They seem to be the only bank that will give you a US Dollar account if you DON'T have a US address. The property company (MacAnthony Realty International) have said that they can get us an account if we buy a property from them and they can also get us the mortgage. Its just that one of the companies we were looking at - you had to get the account yourself. Hence the panic. Looks like CitiBank are gonna come up trumps for us tho. So thanks for affirming our actions!!

[duduyag]

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