Alonzo's Bank.

[alonzo-ny]

Im coming to the city soon and I'm gonna need a bank account this time. Which bank would you guys suggest? I would prefer one that doesnt make a massive hassle of doing transactions away from your 'main' branch. Also good accessibility to use abroad would be useful along with a bank that may make it as easy as possible to transfer money to a foreign bank account.

What do i need to set an account up in the US. I have social security, an apartment, job and appropriate visa. I know in the UK they want a bill with your address etc but i will not have this and wont have it until i get a bank account (vicious circle) can you guys forsee any problems with this.

And will these problems also be apparent when buying a cellphone, credit cards etc.

[Luca]

Who do you bank with in theUK? If they have a branch in or own a local bank in NYC that will go a lot more smoothly. After a few months, you can mvoe to a different shop, if you want/need to. I've moved countries before and opening an account can be a hassle if you just "walk throught the door" (especially these days...).

Another alternative is to get your employer to set up an account with THEIR local bank of reference (you may even get better deals on accoutns, etc.). Basically banks are wary (due to v. heavy regulation) of opening an account for someone they know nothign about. If they know your employer well, that is a big plus.

[lofter1]

This bank might be to your liking ...

Royal Bank of Scotland (http://www.rbs.co.uk/)

101 Park Ave # 12
New York, NY 10178
(212) 269-1700

Get directions (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&safe=off&resnum=0&um=1&q=royal+bank+of+scotland&near=New+York,+NY&fb=1&cid=0,0,10818453175286134690&ll=40.750825,-73.978465&iwstate1=dir:to&iwloc=A&f=d&daddr=101+Park+Ave+%23+12,+New+York,+NY+10178&sa=X&oi=local_result&resnum=1&ct=directions-to)

[alonzo-ny]

?? Thats my bank here too but i didnt know they had branches in NY! I will contact them and see if I can open a US account.

[Luca]

There's a difference between a US account, i.e. domiciled there, adn as US dollar-denomianted account which cna be based anywhere. You only need a US domiciled acount if you want/need to write checks. Not sure about 'direct debits' & 'standing orders'.

FWIW, HSBC prides itself on providing easy local banking access in more/less every country in the world.

[alonzo-ny]

Upon checking lofter the Royal Bank doesnt have bank branches as far as i can tell in the US. The own the citizens financial group which operates in NY if anyone knows anything about it? Hmm i think ill go into my bank and ask about banks it operates with in the US and money transfer policies. Are there many HSBC banks around NY ive never really paid attention! It might be an idea for me to open an HSBC account here and then another in NY as that seems it would be easy to exchange money between.

[alonzo-ny]

more research reveils that citizens bank only has branches in yonkers and mount vernon so thats gives me a blank slate.

that brings me back to the general question of which bank is best?

I will need a checking account for easy cash, paycheck etc and I plan to save as much money as possible so i would probably need some kind of savings account which will produce the most interest and I hope to get a credit card also. so any opinions on my best options are greatly appreciated.

Also if someone with knowledge of US and UK banking systems could point out any differences between them id appreciate that also.

[Punzie]

Also if someone with knowledge of US and UK banking systems could point out any differences between them id appreciate that also.
Please make this a new question. Many people would like to know the answer to this, and it should be searchable.

[lofter1]

If one enters the single word >> banking << or the two words >> banking systems << using the "Search Entire Posts" option then this thread now comes up first.

Both US and UK are non-searchable on this forum as they are too short.

[Punzie]

I'm now doing minimal moderating in the Thematic and Community Center forums. The City Guide gets stricter moderating. Specifically, Edward does not want people to treat their topics in the City Guide as personal folders. I let the title "Alonzo's Bank" slide, even though his banking needs are by no means unique. He can't ask a broad, general banking question about the U.S. vs. U.K. under "Alonzo's Bank." Alonzo must start another thread on Q&A or Anything Goes.

Lofter, if you don't agree that the City Guide (and Skyscrapers, Architecture, Real Estate) should be moderated more strictly, then please become a moderator and do it your way. We'd love to have to come aboard; you'll find learning vBulletin easy; and I would volunteer to be the moderator who answers every vBulletin question you have.

[ASchwarz]

HSBC is everywhere in the UK and in NYC, so it might be a good idea. Alternatively, some of the other biggest NYC banks (by number of branches) are Citibank, Chase, Bank of America, Bank of New York and Commerce Bank.

I have always had Citibank (which, like HSBC, is basically everywhere on earth) and I am happy with their service.

[lofter1]

Lofter, if you don't agree that the City Guide (and Skyscrapers, Architecture, Real Estate) should be moderated more strictly, then please become a moderator and do it your way. We'd love to have to come aboard; you'll find learning vBulletin easy; and I would volunteer to be the moderator who answers every vBulletin question you have.
Nope -- don't want the job as I said before.

[macreator]

Don't forget Chase bank. They are literally everywhere much to the dismay of yours truly. HSBC is not at all as ubiquitous as Chase in the City, but they definitely have a sufficient number of branches in Manhattan. Not sure about the other boroughs, I've never really noticed. You can check their website I'm sure to see a list of their branches in the City, but I'm sure they have the highest number of branches in the City by far of any UK headquartered bank.

[antinimby]

HSBC is common in the outerboroughs as well.

[BrooklynRider]

Chase has the most branches in the city and ATM's in Duane Reade are Chase machines. Doesn't get easier than that.