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If you are a foreigner, you must take this information into account if you want to open an account in the US.
Opening a bank account in the United States may not be as easy as it might seem. When you are a foreigner, not only do you have the limitation of your origin, but also, you may not have a sufficient credit score because you do not have a history within the country. But we show you at least 4 banks where you can open a checking, savings and credit account that will allow you to keep your money safe and with which you can carry out different transactions throughout the American territory.
It should be noted that the updated listing is based on one from Advisory HQ. The main characteristic for which these financial entities were chosen is the fact that they have so-called second chance products, which seek to offer low rates for a fast and reliable financial recovery.
1. BBVA Compass
The Spanish bank Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) acquired Compass Bancshares in February 2007 from the bank. This Birmingham, Alabama-based subsidiary has its largest operating force in the southeastern and southwestern US, primarily in the cities of Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, New Mexico and Texas.
Easy Checking is the bank account specially designed for people with bad credit who are looking to rebuild it safely. With this option you have access to mobile and online banking, obtaining cash at ATMs and automatic low balance alerts. You can open it with $25 dollars and it has a monthly fee of $13.95 dollars.
It is important that you know that those interested can request the opening online, although they must first apply for the free ClearChoice checking account. If they don’t qualify, then you are offered the second chance account.
2. PNC Bank
PNC Financial Services has been in business for more than 160 years and operates in 21 states and the District of Columbia with 2,459 branches and 9,051 ATMs.
PNC Bank operates in few cities, its Foundation Checking account is only available in some branches. It is a second chance checking account that you can open with a deposit of $25 dollars and maintain it with a fee of $7 dollars per month.
According to My banktracker, when customers apply and enroll in this checking program, PNC requires them to take a workshop that teaches them how to better manage their finances, and more specifically, their checking account.
3. OneUnited Bank
OneUnited is an online bank that describes itself as a bank for urban communities, with a mission to provide affordable financial services that support economic development in the communities it serves. It focuses on products intended for low- and moderate-income communities. It has offices in California, Florida and Massachusetts.
The quintessential second-chance account of this institution is U2 e-Checking, which, reviewing its page, does not differ much from the next option, BankBlack Checking. You can open it with $50 or more and get the benefits of free online and mobile banking, plus access to cash at more than 30,000 ATMs nationwide.
4. U.S. Bank
According to its institutional information, US Bank is the fifth largest bank in the United States, with more than 70,000 employees and $495 billion in assets as of December 31, 2019. It is headquartered in Minnesota with 3,106 branches in the country..
Despite being a very traditional bank, you can open your account with your Personal Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of a social security number.
Although Easy Checking is this bank’s standard checking account, it’s a great second-chance option. With this account , you can waive the $6.95 fee as long as you have direct deposits of $1,000 or more per month, maintain an average monthly balance of $1,500, or are age 65 or older. You are charged $2.5 for using out-of-network ATMs and $36 for overdrafts greater than $5.