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How to open a US bank account (from Colombia)?

Hi everybody,

I need to open a US bank account for business purposes
(my business takes payments from people in the US).

Nothing fancy, just a basic account I can link to an online payment system.

I'm from the UK, but I live perminently in Colombia. I have no connection with the US.

Has anyone managed to do this?

Thanks in advance.

By englishman on May 18, 2009, 19:41 in Friendly Talkzone.

njc (Dev team) (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 18, 2009, 19:49:

So your business takes payments from people in the US...
Now why, exactly, do you need a bank account in the US to do that?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

roflandr says on May 18, 2009, 19:51:

lol and Im wondering, how to cancel my Bank of america account from here :P

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roflandr says on May 18, 2009, 20:00:

I cant close it from here cuz it has money in it...

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roflandr says on May 18, 2009, 20:04:

To Bancolombia? :p I dont think so

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RAAAY says on May 18, 2009, 22:21:

gringoloid (Trustee board) says on May 18, 2009, 19:55 (today): flag

.." there are plenty of places that wil open an account for you.......just do a google search on 'open a usa bank account' "

I'm surprised to hear that.................I've found it a real pain in the ass, since the Patriot Act. I know you're American, probably have accounts in several banks....but, have you personally opened a new account in the last few years ?

.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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miamimike says on May 19, 2009, 01:27:

A friend of mine from Bogota came here to Miami last year and opened a Savings account at Washington Mutual(now defunct) on the Beach with only her Col Passport and Tourist Visa. Took 15 minutes. Why may someone want to open an account in the US to take payments? Easy, for the same reason I would have liked to open a Bank Account in Colombia to take payment from those buyers in Colombia on Mercadolibre.com(col = of eBay). The Mercado Payment system is linked to Colombia based banks so a US Seller has NO other options. Honest business, no money laundering,,,Just the Rules

Bésame, bésame mucho Como si fuera esta noche La última vez Bésame, bésame mucho Que tengo miedo a perderte Perderte después Bésame, bésame mucho Como si fuera esta noche La última vez Bésame, bésame mucho Que tengo miedo a perderte Perderte de

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pavo says on May 19, 2009, 06:57:

1 funny, 1 helpful.

perfectstranger says on May 19, 2009, 15:04:

All you need is an mailing address and you can open one online with Bank of America. If you have someone who can mail your card and pin...you can do everything else paperless.

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englishman says on May 19, 2009, 15:10:

PayPal can be very picky (or just random) when processing customers' credit card payments. It's designed for ebay style buying and selling as opposed to companies providing services. I also hate their customer service 'people'. I could go on...

I would prefer to use other similar products, but in order to quote prices in US dollars, it may be the case that I need a US bank account... weird, but true.

Sorry for not searching Google, but sometimes PBH is better... weird, but true.

When is the regular PBH lunch? I can only do Fridays. I've also banned myself from entering Parque Lleras.

Back to work...

http://www.apartments-medellin.com http://www.themedellinmap.com

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