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[drspouse]

I've been using Netbank.com for my US banking since I moved back to the UK - I think I opened it before I left but they don't seem bothered that I now live in the UK. They are now being taken over by Ing who, despite being a European company, won't let customers open new accounts with them (or, therefore, transfer our old accounts to them) unless they have a US mailing address. Unless I lie and use my uncle's address (and risk him forgetting to mail things on - very likely) I don't have one of these any more.

Has anyone come across a US bank that will let me open a checking account without a US mailing address? I've seen a few dodgy "services" that give you information on such for a Paypal fee, these could of course be totally fictitious but it does suggest there are still institutions that will do this. I have enough US$ in my checking/savings at the moment that I can keep a minimum balance but obviously no income going in, and also that I don't really want to lose a lot of money by transferring it to the UK at the moment! We may be off to the US for a sabbatical next year but I'd lose quite a bit if I transferred now and then opened a new account next year. Also I still find myself needing to pay/receive funds in US$ on occasion.

I've looked into "offshore" accounts but they don't really seem to be recommended - especially as the funds wouldn't be held in the US so anyone wanting to transfer money to my account would need to pay a SWIFT fee. Barclays in particular have a really bad press from friends!

[science_expat]

Can you get an electronic only account, use your uncle's address, but do everything over the internet?

I've got a credit union account like this using the address of a good friend. It works really well and she has a stack of deposit slips for my account and from time to time puts money in for me (from an inheritance that is slowly being dispersed).

I also have a credit union account from my previous place of employment (over 13 years ago now!) and they post stuff to my UK address. (I should really think about closing this some day..)

If you're going to be in the US you might try opening an account in person and explain that you have two addresses and ask that things be sent to the UK one as that's where you spend most of your time.

[drspouse]

Aha! I have found a solution.

Wells Fargo will let you open their Basic Checking Account as a non-resident US citizen.  It seems that the Patriot Act has stopped a lot of banks from doing this but they seem to have found some creative ways to verify identity - so they accept non-US issued ID, and ask your current bank account to verify your signature (or you can go in to their Hong Kong or SF branches...). And I seem to remember that they have quite a few ATMs.

Now I need to renew my US drivers license by mail.  Since my uncle didn't send me the renewal notice so I can't renew online, what do you think are the chances of him sending on my new license? This is why I don't trust him to send me my check books etc...

[science_expat]

Good stuff about Wells Fargo.

I don't trust my relatives, either, but I do trust my friend. Hence, her address is my address...

[drspouse]

Happily my best US friends are all now in the UK*, but this does mean they can't help me with an address any more! My cousin is slightly more reliable than my aunt and uncle but moves too frequently unfortunately.

*Three of them, all at the same UK university, all in the same department. OK, I do know them through working together but still, what are the chances?

[august_leo]

I do the "everything online but address with relative" thing. Working well so far (but a very trustworthy, organized relative).