Any good banks that don't need passport? - Page 3

Do they even have a branch? I checked and there isn't a single one in Texas.

They don’t have branches in my state either. I’ve seen some in New York

This is kind of disheartening. When I called them, they said that you have to go to a branch if you're a non-resident alien and probably given the 3rd degree and have you spill out your whole life.

It wasn't like this before. All the banks now want to know your country of citizenship too so if it's one of the "bad countries" that the US has an embargo against, you'll probably get even more scrutiny.

Ok, so apparently Credit Unions ARE a bit more laid back and appreciative. The one I applied to just wanted to make sure the tax ID was valid and I was a "US person". Still not finalized but just putting it out there for someone without DACA but with a SSN or ITN.

So because I've been obsessed with this question, I found out that T-Mobile also has a banking service now. There are no physical banks to go to so you do it online and it says they need a US or Federal ID, US address, and and SSN....pretty much what they ask for if you have mobile phone service with them. Then you just deposit checks yourself or use e-pay. No way to deposit cash directly unless you get yourself a money order and scan that in.

Anybody try them? It doesn't sound like they ask any citizenship questions, but then that's something that might be sneaked in later. It doesn't sound too bad actually except that T-mobile has the ability to track your every move.

I started with BOFA using ITIN number

A lot of stuff used to be different before 2017. The first bank I went to in the 90's which was bought out by Chase eventually was so happy to see me. Even a student ID was enough to open an account. Things have changed.

Speaking of BoA, I went there to help a green card holder parent open up their account over 10 years ago and also be a signer. Even back then they wanted to see a green card from ME. I just gave a sheepish, "I left it at home, we'll come back later to add me".

I know they changed their policy a bit to be friendlier (ie. cash in) on immigrants but they also still ask citizenship questions.

Bumping back an old thread since I don't want to create a new one about the same topic. I'm trying to open a high yield online savings account, but not sure if a lot of things have changed in just a few months, but Ally now asks if you are a USC or resident alien:

https://i.imgur.com/lEYyygd.png

Discover, if you put yourself as a non-USC, asks if you are a U.S. resident or other U.S. person. This makes thinks more difficult now, as I'm not sure if we can fill out these apps as a resident alien (obviously not USC) or other similar categories or not. That leaves investment firms like Betterment or Wealthfront, which aren't real banks, but uses affiliated program banks to store your money. Even though they are covered by FDIC, I just don't feel they're as secured (maybe I'm just paranoid) since the coverage doesn't apply to money that's in transit to said accounts, and only insures once the money are in the accounts, so I'm still paranoid of the money being lost during the transaction time between that. They also don't have a typical routing and account number, and transfers are made by linking your existing bank accounts.

So y'all have any suggestions or insight on this? Thanks!

We ARE resident aliens as far as banking is concerned. Just not permanent residents so Ally is still good.

As someone mentioned, credit unions are a great option and there are smaller regional banks out there that are happy to get the business. They really don't provide as much money transferring services so I guess that's why they don't care as much as the big banks about country of citizenship and who might possibly send money out of country. Still, not all small banks are created equal. A lot of them are "boutique" banks who go after millionaires and I've even seen some that require citizenship and don't even take green card holders, which is insane. The "poor neighborhood" small banks are friendlier.

The only problem with credit unions is that in addition to having to follow "know your customers" rules, so if your ID information doesn't match up right, they will ask for additional address verification or give you the stink eye.

What's the official definition of a resident alien? Does that include DACA? But that option in the screenshot I posted specifically said legal permanent resident, so I'm not sure if Ally still works. All these terms gets hella confusing sometimes, especially since it's different between immigration and tax laws. If we are considered resident aliens, then it's safe to assume that we are also classified as "other U.S. person" for Discover bank.

Also, do credit unions also have high yield savings accounts and CDs?