Banks for Immigrants and US Non-Citizens: A Comprehensive Guide
Story by sacevedo@insider.com (Sophia Acevedo), Business Insider, 1/1/23
- Many banks require you to bring a U.S. ID and social security number (SSN) to open an account.
- However, there are banks that let you use alternative forms of ID to open an account if you’re not a U.S. citizen.
- Juntos Avanzamos-designated credit unions provide services for immigrants and non-citizens.
When you open a bank account, financial institutions require several forms of identification to verify your identity.
Many banks and credit unions will ask for at least a government-issued ID, Social Security number, and home address. Some banks may have stricter documentation requirements.
If you’re not a U.S. citizen, you may not have an SSN or the required IDs needed to open an account at many places. But you do have options. Below, you’ll find some of the banks that accept documents such as foreign IDs if you’re not a U.S. citizen.
Top Banks for Immigrants and United States Non-Citizens
1. Bank of America
Branch locations: Over 3,900 branches throughout the U.S.
Alternative identification forms you can use: You need to have two forms of ID with photos. For your primary ID, you can use a Canadian Citizenship Certificate Card, Foreign passport, Mexican Consular ID, Dominican Republic Consular ID, Colombian Consular ID, or Guatemalan Consular ID.
For your secondary ID, you can use any of the primary IDs mentioned — or a credit card from a major financial institution or retail company, debit card from a financial institution, foreign driver’s license, Mexican Voter Registration Card, U.S. Department of State Diplomat ID, or U.S. issued employment ID.
2. Wells Fargo
Branch locations: Over 4,900 branch locations throughout the U.S.
Alternative identification forms you can use: You’ll need two forms of ID. Any of the following can be used: a permanent resident card, foreign visa, foreign passport, or Individual Taxpayer Identification (ITIN) number.
3. U.S. Bank
Branch locations: Over 2,000 locations throughout the U.S.
Alternative identification forms you can use: U.S. Bank locations allow you to use a Mexican Matricula Consular as a primary ID to open a bank account.
4. Santander Bank
Branch locations: 473 branches in the Northeast
Alternative identification forms you can use: If you aren’t a U.S. citizen, you’ll need to have an SSN, ITIN, passport number, permanent resident card, or government-issued ID. You’ll also need to bring with you three forms of ID.
For a primary ID, you can use a foreign passport, Mexican Matricula card, or Guatemalan Consular ID. For your secondary ID, you’ll need any two of the following: employee ID, vehicle registration, birth certificate, medical insurance card, university or school ID, lease agreement, deed, utility bill, debit or ATM card, credit card from a major financial institution, any Matricula ID, any Consular ID, or government visa. For any U.S. IDs, you can view a checklist here.
5. Fifth Third Bank
Branch locations: 1,087 branches in 11 U.S .states in the Southeast and Midwest
Alternative identification forms you can use: At Fifth Third Bank you can use a Mexican Matricula card as a form of identification.
6. KeyBank
Branch and ATM locations: Over 1,000 branches in 16 U.S. states
Alternative identification forms you can use: At KeyBank, you can use a foreign passport, Canadian driver’s license, Mexican driver’s license, Mexican Matricula card, or permanent resident card as your primary form of ID.
7. Hope Credit Union
Branch and ATM locations: 28 branches in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Tennessee
Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can open an account even if you don’t have a Social Security number. You’ll need to provide an ITIN number and home address to open an account.
8. River City Credit Union
Branch locations: 5 branches in San Antonio, Texas
Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can open an account even if you don’t have a Social Security number. You can use a permanent resident card or another government-issued ID.
9. Guadalupe Credit Union
Branch locations: 7 branches in New Mexico (Santa Fe, Espanola, Mora, Taos)
Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can open an account even if you don’t have a Social Security number. You can use a permanent resident card or another government-issued ID.
1o. Tucoemas Credit Union
Branch and ATM locations: 5 branch locations in California (Visalia, Tulare, Porterville)
Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can open an account even if you don’t have a Social Security number. You can use a permanent resident card, foreign passport, or Matricula Consular as a photo ID. Plus, you’ll need to provide an ITIN number and home address to open an account.
11. North Jersey Federal Credit Union
Branch and ATM locations: 3 branches in New Jersey (Totowa, Newark, Elmwood Park)
Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can open an account even if you don’t have a Social Security number. You can use a permanent resident card, foreign passport, foreign driver’s license, or Matricula Consular as a photo ID. Plus, you’ll need to provide an ITIN number and proof of address.
12. Rio Grande Credit Union
Branch and ATM locations: 7 branches in New Mexico (Albuquerque, Rio Rancho)
Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can open an account even if you don’t have a Social Security number. You can provide an ITIN number and proof of address.
13. Brooklyn Cooperative
Branch and ATM locations: 3 branches in New York (Brooklyn, Bushwick, Bedford-Stuyvesant)
Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can open an account even if you don’t have a Social Security number. You can use a permanent resident card, foreign passport, or Matricula Consular as a photo ID. Plus, you’ll need to provide an ITIN number and proof of address.
14. Border Federal Credit Union
Branch and ATM locations: 5 branches in Texas (Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Crystal City)
Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can open an account even if you don’t have a Social Security number. You can use a permanent resident card or another government-issued ID.
15. Caprock Federal Credit Union
Branch and ATM locations: 2 branches in Texas ( Lamesa, Seminole)
Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can use a permanent resident card, foreign passport, or Matricula Consular as a photo ID. Plus, you’ll need to provide an ITIN number and proof of address.
16. Coastal Community Federal Credit Union
Branch and ATM locations: 1 main branch in Galveston, Texas
Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can use a permanent resident card, foreign passport, or Matricula Consular as a photo ID. Plus, you’ll need to provide an ITIN number and proof of address.
17. FirstLight Federal Credit Union
Branch and ATM locations: 11 branches in El Paso, Texas, and Las Cruces, New Mexico
Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can use a permanent resident card, foreign passport, or Matricula Consular as a photo ID. Plus, you’ll need to provide an ITIN number and proof of address.
18. GECU
Branch locations: 27 locations in El Paso, Texas, and part of the Co-Op Shared network
Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can open an account even if you don’t have a Social Security number. You can use a permanent resident card, foreign passport, or Matricula Consular as a photo ID. Plus, you’ll need to provide an ITIN number and proof of address.
19. Generations Federal Credit Union
Branch and ATM locations: 6 branches in San Antonio, Texas and is part of a shared branching network for credit unions
Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can use a permanent resident card, foreign passport, or Matricula Consular as a photo ID. Plus, you’ll need to provide an ITIN number and proof of address.
20. Resource One Credit Union
Branch and ATM locations: 13 branches in Texas (Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Dallas, Irving, Houston, Mesquite, Dallas, Garland, and Road Spring) and part of the CO-Op Shared network.
Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can open an account even if you don’t have a Social Security number. You can use a permanent resident card, foreign passport, or Matricula Consular as a photo ID. Plus, you’ll need to provide an ITIN number and proof of address.
21. Rocket Federal Credit Union
Branch and ATM locations: 1 branch in McGregor, Texas
Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can use a permanent resident card, foreign passport, or Matricula Consular as a photo ID. Plus, you’ll need to provide an ITIN number and proof of address.
22. Security First Credit Union
Branch and ATM locations: 9 branches in Texas (Brownsville, Edinburg, Harlingen, McAllen, Mission, Pharr, San Benito, Weslaco)
Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can use a permanent resident card, foreign passport, or Matricula Consular as a photo ID. Plus, you’ll need to provide an ITIN number and proof of address.
23. Select Federal Credit Union
Branch and ATM locations: 2 branches in San Antonio, Texas
Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can use a permanent resident card, foreign passport, or Matricula Consular as a photo ID. Plus, you’ll need to provide an ITIN number and proof of address.
24. Southwest 66 Credit Union
Branch and ATM locations: 3 branches in Texas (Odessa, Midland)
Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can use a permanent resident card, foreign passport, or Matricula Consular as a photo ID. Plus, you’ll need to provide an ITIN number and proof of address.
25. Star of Texas Credit Union
Branch and ATM locations: 2 branches in Austin, Texas
Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can open an account even if you don’t have a Social Security number. You can use a permanent resident card, foreign passport, or Matricula Consular as a photo ID. Plus, you’ll need to provide an ITIN number and proof of address if one of your IDs doesn’t include it.
26. DC Credit Union
Branch and ATM locations: 3 branches in Washington DC and part of the Co-Op Shared network.
Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can open an account even if you don’t have a Social Security number. You can use a permanent resident card, foreign passport, or Matricula Consular as a photo ID. Plus, you’ll need to provide an ITIN number and proof of address if one of your IDs doesn’t include it.
27. PAHO/WHO Credit Union
Branch and ATM locations: 1 branch in Washington DC
Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can open an account even if you don’t have a Social Security number. You can use a permanent resident card, foreign passport, or Matricula Consular as a photo ID. You’ll also have to fill out a W-8BEN form.
Banking for People who Aren’t United States Citizens: FAQs
Can immigrants and non-citizens open a bank account in the United States?
Yes, immigrants and non-citizens can open a bank account in the United States. The best credit unions and banks for immigrants and non-citizens accept a foreign passport, consular ID, or foreign ID if you don’t have an identification document issued by the U.S.
What kind of services should immigrants look for in a bank?
When choosing a bank, immigrants should look for specialized customer service, account options, educational resources, and community involvement.
Are there banks that offer support in languages other than English?
Yes. There are banks with multilingual banking services in the U.S. For example, many Hispanic American-owned banks offer customer support in Spanish.
What documents do I need to open a bank account as a non-citizen?
You’ll need two forms of ID and proof of address. Acceptable forms of ID vary by financial institution. Generally, you can use a foreign passport, foreign ID, or consular ID.
Can I send money to my home country through these banks?
Yes, many banks allow you to send money internationally through wire transfers, checks, or prepaid debit cards.
Why Special Banking Services Matter
According to an FDIC study conducted in 2021, 9.3% of Latinos remained unbanked. Two of the main reasons cited for not having a bank account were that the individuals weren’t able to meet the minimum balance requirement to open a bank account and that they didn’t trust banks.
Historically, Hispanic Americans have been affected by discriminatory lending practices that limited their opportunities for economic growth. However, these practices don’t apply to every financial institution, nor does it negate the important role banking plays if trying to manage money or make a budget.
The FDIC and NCUA created programs for minority-owned depository institutions because these banks and credit unions provided services and products to underserved communities. Legislation such as the Community Reinvestment Act has also required banks and credit unions to provide services and products to these communities.
If you want to know whether a bank has gone through any public controversies involving specific communities or groups, our bank reviews will include such information to help you decide what your best options are.
Pablo DeFilippi, executive vice president of the Inclusiv Network, points out that many banking products and services are integral tools for managing personal finances. While some immigrant communities may be used to using cash as a primary way of managing money, the U.S. requires different tools.
Bank accounts allow you to safely store your money in one place. When you bank with a financial institution that is FDIC or NCUA-insured, your account is protected for up to $250,000.
Having a credit card and managing it properly allows individuals to build a credit history and credit score to drive future purchases.
Putting money in a bank account or investing allows people to accumulate interest, which may help with creating a way to accomplish savings goals efficiently. If you want to begin your own business, business accounts or small business loans can serve as important stepping stones for getting there.
Criteria for Choosing a Bank
Everyone should have access to fair banking tools and services regardless of their citizenship or immigration status. Though your options largely depend on where you live, it isn’t an impossible feat. You do have options, but you’ll have to search for them.
Juntos Avanzamos-Designated Credit Unions
A Juntos Avanzamos-designated credit union provides services for Hispanic and immigrant communities. To receive the designation, the institution has to fill out an application. Then it will be reviewed by a selection committee, who will see whether the credit union aligns with the goals created by the initiative.
“We’re looking at a real commitment of the institution to serve this community,” said DeFilippi. “To get the designation, you need to make sure that your policies and your procedures are welcoming and would enable someone, regardless of their immigration status to open an account and also access credit.”
The designation also looks at the number of bilingual and Hispanic staff and how it is involved with the local community.
While Juntos Avanzamos was created in 2005, the initiative has gone through some changes over the years. Originally the goal of the initiative was to educate Hispanic communities about different financial services available. However, the initiative now makes a greater effort to address systemic barriers in banking.
Juntos Avanzamos designated credit unions are available in certain states and have small branches because they serve primarily underserved and local communities.
National Banks
Some national banks offer more flexible ID requirements. However, processes or customer experiences may vary at branch locations.
DeFilippi says to be persistent while searching for financial products and services, even if you’re initially turned away because of your immigration status.
“It takes courage to get out and approach a financial institution., but I think that is critical that we all do that,” said DeFilippi. “If someone says no to you, go someplace else.”
Services that Matter for Immigrants and United States Non-Citizens
Choosing where to bank will ultimately depend on your preferences. You may want to consider the following:
- Location, branch, and ATM network: It’s important to know which banks are closest to your home. If you routinely travel, you may also want to look at which banks have a larger ATM network to avoid bank ATM fees.
- Account options: Banks don’t all have the same account options. Some banks may have a variety of checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit. Others won’t. You’ll need to figure out which accounts you want, then compare the features between different banking products.
- Monthly fees, overdraft fees, out-of-network ATM fees: Some banks will impose additional fees on your account for maintenance or overdrawing. If you want to avoid common bank fees, you’ll want to see if an institution lets you waive these fees or doesn’t charge any.
- Bank trustworthiness: To see whether a bank is the right fit for you, it’s best to get a broader understanding of its history. Some banks have also gone through some recent controversies. If you want to read through some of our reviews, we will include this information.
- Bilingual services and customer service availability: If you need services in another language, some banks will provide separate phone numbers or accessibility features in another language. If you also prioritize customer service, you’ll want a bank with 24/7 customer support or a variety of customer service features.
- Involvement with the community: Some institutions attend or host local events in the community. Others may also set up scholarship programs for high school students, partner with local organizations, or have financial education for new U.S. residents.
How to Open a Bank Account with an Alternative ID
If you are not a U.S. citizen, look for financial institutions that will let you use a foreign ID or a consular ID as your primary form of identification. It may be helpful to visit your local consulate to see if it can tell you of any nearby banking solutions for non-citizen residents.
Once you’ve chosen a bank, you’ll likely have to open a bank account in person since most online applications require you to provide a social security number. When applying to a bank in person, bring at least two forms of ID, proof of address, and enough cash to meet your bank account’s minimum opening deposit requirement.
Why You Should Trust Us: How we Chose the Top Banks for Immigrants and United States Non-Citizens
Business Insider’s personal finance team is editorially independent, meaning that the business team doesn’t tell the team’s writers and editors what to write. You can learn more about how we review products through our editorial standards page.
We’ve included a mix of national banks and NCUA-designated minority depository institutions so that you can explore a variety of options and find a bank that is the best fit for you, depending on your needs or documentation.
We also wanted to provide a list of credit unions and banks that could help you regardless of where you live.
National banks mentioned on our list are also featured on our best banks guide. These banks tend to have larger branches and ATM networks, so you may be more likely to find one that’s closer to home.
As for our credit unions, we selected ones that received a Juntos Avanzamos designation. Juntos Avanzamos is an initiative that’s committed to helping Hispanic and immigrant consumers find suitable financial products. To become a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, one of the requirements is to be able to accept alternative ID forms if you don’t have a U.S. ID.