I am in Australia and recently registered a LLC in the USA. I have obtained an EIN number. But I cant quite figure out where to apply for a US Social Security Number? Is this possible ? The reason I am asking is because to open a business bank account in the USA require Social Security Number.

You can't get an SSN. The bank should be satisfied with your EIN and an assertion that you're not a US citizen.

Originally posted by cperciva
You can't get an SSN. The bank should be satisfied with your EIN and an assertion that you're not a US citizen.
True. Only, some branch representatives are lying ba****ds, such as the one I had to battle with years ago when trying to setup our corporate account. I don't know if it's all banks or just CalFed or maybe this particular branch, but...yuk.
Long story short: in our case she was trying not to do any business with us because I'm British and apparently it was too much work for her to figure out what she was required to do :rolleyes:

So I guess it may happen to you too...

You can apply for an ITIN, a substitute of the social security number for non US citizens at the US Embassy on your country, some bank accept the ITIN as substitute.
If you are the only signer of the bank account you can use the EIN
to open the account at some bank.

Guys, I've been looking for ways to open a USA bank account up, have you any links for info or links to banks etc.

What tips would you give and whats needed?

regards,

Brian (UK)

Though I hate them (had an account with them a long time ago), Bank of America is generally business friendly, as is Wells Fargo. I'd try those two first...

I agree that Wells Fargo is a good bank and also try Washington Mutual.

Bank Of America:rolleyes:... I would definately do my homework before going with them, I had an account with them a while back and was on the phone with them every statement period because of all these fees :mad: they had charged me for no reason. Fees for talking to tellers, fees for withdrawing money more than X number of times in a statement period, fees for every little thing you can think of. (they may have changed since then, thats why I said do your homework). I did not like their customer service line either, would spend hours on hold.

I have found that when you talk to the bank, each teller is different, one will not help you when another will... so call them back if you get a no answer.

I prefer the small local banks personally, though i'm not sure how that would work out for international or even national needs.

Now can anyone explain whats needed to open an account in the states and how would I contact such a bank.

Regards,

Brian

Not sure if bank policy has been changed or not. But I just saw this:

Please note that bank policies regarding opening accounts remotely change frequently and rapidly. Currently (4/18/02), there is no available banking option for accounts whose signatories do not have a U.S. Social Security Number.

bankone.com net checking option :)

What do you mean by checking options M8?

Regards


Originally posted by apollo
bankone.com net checking option :)

Originally posted by The Realist
Guys, I've been looking for ways to open a USA bank account up, have you any links for info or links to banks etc.

What tips would you give and whats needed?

regards,

Brian (UK)


Brian, I really don't understand the needs of most people for having a USA account.

what I have done in the past is have a instructions from my bank and there local branch in the respective country I need to have my clients deposit the money.

by having them make the deposit at the local overseas branch I save a huge amount of headaches.

since you are in Britain, and you have a desire for an american bank, think about First Boston ( they Have good representation in south america also ) Fleet bank, and the traverlers/citi group.

Mike

Originally posted by ADEhost



Brian, I really don't understand the needs of most people for having a USA account.

what I have done in the past is have a instructions from my bank and there local branch in the respective country I need to have my clients deposit the money.

by having them make the deposit at the local overseas branch I save a huge amount of headaches.

since you are in Britain, and you have a desire for an american bank, think about First Boston ( they Have good representation in south america also ) Fleet bank, and the traverlers/citi group.

Mike

Oh well if you want to get a merchant account in the USA. You are most likely require a bank account. Also if you have a client who want to wire payment. It is extremely costly for both paying and receiving parties.

This is why I want to open a bank account in the states to cut down on costs etc.

Does anyone have any links for info that I can read for internationals like me in the UK opening such an account?

Brian

Originally posted by Eiv


Oh well if you want to get a merchant account in the USA. You are most likely require a bank account. Also if you have a client who want to wire payment. It is extremely costly for both paying and receiving parties.

from my experience your best bets would be bankone or fleet *nods* I'm in the stats so I luck out on that end but I've had a few people who have dealt with my company not from the states and those have been the two with the most positive feedback.