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Cross-Border US Banking and Credit Cards Mega-Thread

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Sep 21st, 2010 5:51 pm
zoicca [OP]
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Sep 20, 2010
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Sep 21st, 2010 5:51 pm

Cross-Border US Banking and Credit Cards Mega-Thread

Edit: READ THREAD SUMMARY. All info there, please read it a few times before asking questions.

Does anyone know how I can get a US bank account and US credit card? I am a Canadian who does not officially reside in the US but I often do work US companies who will only pay me in USD if I have a US bank account.

I would love to just set up a bank account IN THE UNITED STATES and have a US based credit card. (Note: I know Royal Bank and most other Canadian banks have US dollar accounts, but this is not the same as having a US bank account.).

Many thanks.
Last edited by titaniumtux on Aug 20th, 2018 7:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Thread Summary
Please do not use your SIN for SSN. It would lead to identity theft of the person with that same SSN.

Credits to @[dekvitaly]
Travelling to the US? Living part time in the US? Avoiding USD/CAD PayPal currency exchange? Multiple reasons for Canadians considering US-based services for their secondary account. This thread is a huge summary and notations for every Canadian resident looking for US-based services (banks/credit cards product).
What to prepare?!
  1. Passport/Driver Licence/Provincial Photo ID (similar to STATE ID)
  2. US Billing Address (for future convenience, zip code verification) – PO BOX is accepted
  3. SSN/ITIN (OPTIONAL) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED – CONSIDER for a magical US ID.
    PLEASE NEVER USE SIN FOR SSN/ITIN.
    Click here for Smashwords/Amazon Digital Method.
    *** Amazon has changed ITIN Letter delivery method. Please Go to Amazon Kindle Page and register a Kindle account. You'd then contact customer service and request an ITIN Letter
    *********** If you have direct relatives living in certain areas, local credit unions are happy to have your business, as long as ITIN/SSN is available *****************

    I. Banks
    Where to start?
    Don’t want to cross the 49th parallel? Consider popular banks below:

    TD Canada Trust >>> TD Bank N.A.
    Google / RFD thread
    Pros: quick and easy online application (10min at most). Low minimum balance ($100). Available cross border credit cards (Aeroplan VISA and Cash VISA). Easy PIN change, professional. Easy CAN to US money transfer. ** Need a US Billing address for Bill Pay - External Transfer **
    If you park $2.5k in the account for Premier Checking, unlimited US ATM rebates.
    Cons: Mainly northeast operations. No national ATM. Minimum $100 needs to be locked to avoid monthly fee.

    Note: you do not have to be a TD Bank client to be eligible for the credit card. Cash VISA and Aeroplan VISA. RFD thread for TD Cash Visa. https://www.tdbank.com/exc/pdf/Foreign- ... cation.pdf

    If you didn't apply for either accounts with a SSN, you will need to call in after receiving your credit card to bind the two profiles together (checking and credit card). In the system, you're technically seen as 2 different people. You will need to ask them to do a "profile merge". At the end of this process, you should see both accounts listed under the same web banking login. This way, you can make bill payments/transfers from your checking to pay your credit card bill like you normally do.

    BMO >> BMO Harris Bank.
    https://www.bmo.com/main/personal/bank- ... er-banking
    Pros: Low Initial Deposit (US $25), free account with eStatement, free start checks. Free Allpoint ATM withdrawal. 30min phone conversation with a cross-border banking rep.
    Cons: Checking/Savings Account only. No cross-border credit card. Mainly operating in the Midwest and Arizona.
    *Per Cross Border agent, you should avoid calling general Harris customer service as they follow complete different procedure*
    Only recommended for SSN/ITIN holder (no remote PIN Change without) <<< CROSS BORDER AGENT can help you with this. I however do not have confirmation.

    RBC USA
    https://www.rbcbank.com/index.html
    Pros: easy to open, all online. Great credit card to build US credit history.
    Cons: monthly fee. Has to be a Royal Bank client. PNC-ATM shared is not nation wide.

    CIBC USA
    CIBC Cross-Border Banking
    Pros: easy to open, all online.
    Cons: monthly fee... or 3k minimum balance >"< No credit card.... RBC model...

    HSBC Canada & USA:
    https://www.hsbc.ca/1/2/personal/bankin ... nt-opening
    Pros: Offers an international account opening service that smooths the opening of the accounts in the US, let's you use your Canadian credit history to get fee free HSBC USA credit card, and also provides free instant transfers between your HSBC Canada and HSBC USA bank accounts. No minimum balance required in HSBC USA.
    Cons: Minimum relationship balance in Canada of $100K CAD (includes bank accounts and investments with HSBC Investdirect) to waive all fees - available with lower relationship with additional fees.

    EverBank     now TIAA
    Very simple and straight forward for ITIN holder. Decent website and support! Free starter checks!
    If no ITIN, please use the paper form
    Reason provide: Snowbird/Frequent Visit/Shopping/Paying US credit card
    MoneyPass ATM network! Minimum balance of $25 (even lower than TD)

    Alliant Credit Union:
    As of April 2018, Alliant CU no longer accepts non-ITIN Canadian.
    Snail mail your application
    "I would like to support Foster Care to Success (FCS) charity and have Alliant donate in my name.
    Attach all your Canadian information, including Utilities Bills/Cable Bill and W8BEN.

    In person visit @ BC-WA State

    Banner Bank:
    Free!!! Checking account and credit card (TransUnion pulled). Free starter checks.
    Friendly and professional services. Free rebate on US ATMs.
    Personally, found Banner Bank the best for all I look for.

    Umpqua Bank:
    Free Checking account. Easy account opening process. Blaine/Pt. Roberts branches would be the most ideal.
    Cons: very limited amount of ATM. Banner Bank is hands down better but you may want some alternatives, this aint bad.

    Peoples Bank and HomeStreet Bank:
    Free checking, free bill pay, MoneyPass ATM!!!.
    They both could help you easily deal with PIN change on your debit card.
    Peoples Bank is closer to all of BC residents (branches available @ Ferndale, Lynden, Bellingham to Burlington.
    The closest Home Street is in Marysville (Seattle Prem Outlet), which doesn't make much sense unless you're on your way back to Canada or enjoying a shopping day trip.

    SaviBank:
    Free!!! Free Checking account, Free starter checks & Money Pass ATM. Friendly service.
    A very local and community type bank. Closest branch in Bellingham or over Burlington/Mount Vernon area.
    CSR/branch people could help you with online banking account/Debit card PIN change.
    MasterCard Credit Card is provided by Card Assets vendor who accepts Canadians. Pick up a paper application when you're in branch, fill in your information with Canadian SIN/Address and you're good
    Downside: their website is very basic. SaviBank Bill Pay is provided by the same vendor as TD Bank USA. As such, you do have to tell your banker to use US address on file to by pass this restriction. You should also use ITIN for this reason. If no ITIN, please consider a pull.

    Key Bank:
    Free account, easy with Canadian. KeyBank is only available around Canada/USA border states. Online banking isn't available for non ITIN holder. Debit Card activation requires a branch visit if no ITIN. So if you have ITIN, yes. Majority of us don't have ITIN, please consider other options.

    In person visit @ ON-MI/NY State
    Huntington Bank (MI) -- Also OH and Erie, PA
    Citizens Bank and Evans Bank (Buffalo, NY)
    Key Bank (Niagara, NY) - ONLY USE IF ITIN!!

    II. Credit Cards

    Now, banking is incomplete without credit cards!!! What’s available for Canadians without legal status in the US and without US Credit History?!?!!?

    Thread link here for US dollar credit cards, issued in Canada or cross-border

    Canadian bank:
    TD Bank N.A, RBC Bank would definitely pull your Canadian history for the US cards! You should definitely have these to begin building your history without a secured deposit, etc.
    ***** TD Bank N.A. has no restriction on the Aeroplan VISA but 2nd year annual fee sucks.
    Cash VISA requires a footprint address, no exception!
    As of 2018-03-21, the following states are listed: PA, NY, NJ, CT, NH, ME, MA, FL, VT, DE, MD, DC, NC, SC, VA or RI. One way to get around this is to use a non-commercial address via mail forwarding services.
    ***** RBC Bank VISA requires at least a Canadian RBC Royal Bank account, you can open a lame e-Savings to bypass.
    To apply, please call 1-800-769-2553

    AMEX Global Transfer:
    I know AMEX is AMERICAN Express. There’s a reason behind. You can transfer globally to a US card as soon as you’re intending to reside in the US (even temporary, part time, snowbird)
    All you need is to quickly apply under their Global Transfer program. https://www.americanexpress.com/global- ... tates.html
    **Have a valid residential US-address and a PO Box as mailing address is fine** If you have a friend/family member/relative down south, that’s good enough. No proof necessary. Once in a while you might have to prove your ability to pay, a US-based account statement showing your mailing address is accepted** Direct # for AMEX Global Transfer -- USE THIS #, not what's on Amex Website: 1-866-929-5160

    American Store Credit Cards
    There's a handful of American lenders who have access to Canadian credit bureau.
    - Macy's (store card/credit card)
    - JC Penny (store card/credit card)
    - Comenity. Now, Comenity is huge, they have over 100 cards to choose from. So far, the most attainable one would be Orbitz Rewards VISA (for use on Orbitz booking) and IKEA VISA (if you happen to be near a US IKEA... which is not the case for me in BC/WA where the only US IKEA is near SeaTac)

    HSBC USA:
    Offers an array of cards, several with no annual fees with easy opening services:
    https://internationalservices.hsbc.com/ ... account21/
    HSBC USA credit cards

    For BC/WA residents:

    Banner Bank can pull your Canadian history over TransUnion and grant you a card. This is similar to TD and RBC.
    However, it’s definitely not an option for our folks living in AB, MB, ON, QC and the Atlantics – unless you’re coming to BC to visit and planning to cross the border.

    SaviBank As mentioned above, the card is provided by a partnered vendor, who would accept Canadian under Canadian SIN/address and Equifax Canada. At Bellingham branch, Taylor and Rangine would be the most helpful persons as I've been annoying them quite a bit LOL. Application form here

    Secured Credit Card from American bank:
    Since I don’t like the idea, I refuse to take this route as I do not have enough liquid assets. But definitely BoA, Wells Fargo, Chase could potentially help you with this.

    Cross Border Money Transfer
    Peace of cake for TD Canada Trust/TD Bank as well as RBC Royal Bank/RBC Georgia.
    Other alternatives?
    1. Third-party services: XE, TransferWise, Xoom, OFX, etc.
    @Snuupy Thanks for your contribution, so far the best rate belongs to VBCE and KBFX+CTFS MC (>2k CAD) || MTFX+ CTFS MC || TransferWise (1%) || TD preferred rates on cross-border banking (0.06%)
    For folks in in person, the best in person rate is Happy Currency Exchange (vancouver) and EverForex (vancouver/toronto)
    2. Scotiabank USD Draft: indeed drawn from US-based Deustche Bank! free if you have 200 USD in the account.

    What next? An established credit history of approximately 1 year with proper SSN/ITIN and reporting address would open your door for better card such as BoA Cash Rewards, Chase, Amazon.com, City VISA, etc.
    Have fun and happy be a bad Canadian ;)



    No FTF cards:

    The following are 0 AF, 0 FTF cards (let me know if there's a card that should be on this list that isn't):

    Code: Select all

    No ITIN req:
  - TD Cash
    - 3% dining, 2% groceries, 1% else
  - Bank of America Travel Rewards
    - 1.5 points on all spend, redeemable only on travel
  - Hilton AMEX

Possible w/ ITIN:

  - Category cards:
    - Fort Knox visa
      - 5% gas, 1% FTF
    - Amazon.com VISA
      - 5% amazon/whole foods w/ prime
      - 3% amazon/whole foods without prime
      - 2% restaurants, gas, drug stores
      - 1% else
    - PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa
      - 4.25% gas, 2.55% groceries, 0.85% else
    - PenFed Pathfinder AMEX
      - 3.4% travel, $100 annual travel credit
    - Huntington Business Voice MC
      - 4% in one of the following categories: https://www.huntington.com/SmallBusiness/voice-business-credit-card
    - Huntington Personal Voice MC
      - 3% in one of the following categories: https://www.huntington.com/SmallBusiness/voice-business-credit-card
    - Macy's AMEX
      - 3% dining, 2% gas and supermarkets, 1% else
    - CapitalOne Premier Dining Rewards MasterCard
      - 3% dining, 2% groceries, 1% else
    - First Tech FCU Choice MC
      - 2% on all of the following:
        - groceries
        - gas
        - electronics
        - medical
        - household goods and telecommunications
      - 1% else
    - VantageWest CU, 1% FTF (AZ only)
      - 5% in one of the following, 1.5k USD cap/quarter: 
        - travel
        - restaurants
        - utilities
        - in-store wholesale (costco/samsclub/walmart)
        - department stores
        - hardware
        - pharmacies/drug stores
        - amazon.com
      - 3% gas
      - 2% groceries
      - 1% FTF

  - Non-category cards:
    - PenFed Power Cash Rewards VISA
      - 2% all
    - PayPal MC
      - 2% all
    - State Fed VISA
      - 2% all
    - FNBO Complete Rewards VISA
      - 2% all
    - Comenity Orbitz Reward Visa
      - 2% all, only redeemable on Orbitz   
    - Citizen's Bank MC
      - 1.8% all
    - NASA Federal CU Platinum Cash Rewards
      - 1.5% all
    - Capital One Quicksilver MC/VISA
      - 1.5% all
    - Capital One Spark Cash Select Business VISA
      - 1.5% all
    - Capital One Business Spark Miles Select VISA
      - 1.5 miles all spend
    - Capital One VentureOne
      - 1.25 miles all spend
    - Santander Ultimate Cash Back MC
      - 1.5% all
    - ICBC Preferred Gold UnionPay
      - 1% all
    - ICBC Preferred Visa
      - 1% all

SSN required:
  - Wells Fargo Propel AMEX
    - 4.5% dining, gas, travel, transit if you redeem for travel with the Wells Fargo VISA (else 3%)
    WARNING: Wells Fargo will NOT approve you for ANY of their unsecured credit cards unless you're a US citizen or permanent resident!
  - Uber VISA
    - 4% dining, 3% travel
  - Discover It Miles
    - 3% first year, 1.5% after
  - AAA MasterCard (issued by U.S. Bank)
    - 3% travel, 2% gas, grocery, drug store, 1% else
  - Deserve Pro MC
    - 3% travel/entertainment, 2% restaurants, 1% else

Debit cards with no FTF:
  Charles Schwab VISA (ITIN, US residency req)
    - 3rd party ATM fees reimbursed
  Denizen VISA (ITIN, US residency req)
    - 3rd party ATM fees reimbursed
  Fidelity VISA (ITIN, US residency req)
    - 1% FTF for POS purchases
    - 3rd party ATM fees reimbursed
  Discover (ITIN/SSN)
    - 1% cashback on debit purchases
  TD Bank VISA (no ITIN req)
  CapitalOne
    Notable cards that have an AF, but are 0 FTF:

    Code: Select all

    
No ITIN req:
  - AMEX Platinum ($550 AF)
    - 5x MR on flights/amex travel

Possible w/ ITIN:
  - AMEX Schwab Platinum ($550 AF)
    - 5x MR on flights/amex travel
    - redeem MR for 1.25¢/ea
  - Chase Sapphire Reserve VISA ($450 AF, $300 travel credit = $150 AF)
    - 4.5% travel, dining
  - Chase Sapphire Reserve VISA ($95 AF)
    - 2.5% travel, 2.5% dining
  - Chase Ink Preferred ($95 AF)
    - 3x points on travel, shipping, internet/cable/phone, advertising (4.5% if points transferred to CSR)
  - Citi Prestige ($450 AF, $250 travel credit = $200 AF)
    - 3x points on travel/hotels
    - 2x points on dining/entertainment
    - 1x else
  - Citi Premier ($95 AF)
    - 3x points on travel + gas stations (3.75% minimum value)
    - 2x points on dining, entertainment (2.5% minimum value)
    - 1x else (1.25% minimum value)

SSN req:
  - U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve VISA ($400 AF, $325 travel credit = $75 AF)
    - 4.5% mobile pay, travel
  - Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard ($89 AF)
    - 2.2% back, all spend
    The list of 0 AF, no FTF cards is significantly longer than Canada's in comparison. I suggest all Canadians to grab an ITIN and to grab these cards.

    It's also useful to note that certain currency conversion pairs have different rates set by VISA/MC/AMEX.

    For example, CAD -> HKD will be charged at 0.5-0.6% conversion fee by visa/mastercard, but will cost on average 0.01% to convert if going USD -> HKD.
    VISA USD -> CAD is an average of ~0.43%
    MC USD -> CAD is an average of ~0.27%

    There are foreign currency exchange houses that charge less than that, so if you are traveling it's worth knowing.

    AMEX GT Options:

    Code: Select all

    
| Card                | Type     | AF   | Signup Bonus                   | Ongoing Spend Bonus                                | FTF (%) |
| ------------------- | -------- | ---- | ------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------- | ------- |
| Cash Magnet         | Personal | 0    | $150 on $1k spend              | 1.5% cashback                                      | 2.7     |
| Blue Cash Everyday  | Personal | 0    | $150 on $1k spend              | 3% US supermarkets                                 | 2.7     |
|                                                                          2% US gas                                                    |
|                                                                          1% else                                                      |
| Hilton Honors       | Personal | 0    | 50k Hilton points on $1k spend | 7x Hilton points on Hilton hotels                  | 0       |
|                                                                          5x Hilton points at US:                                      |
|                                                                              restaurants                                              |
|                                                                              supermarkets                                             |
|                                                                              gas stations                                             |
|                                                                          3x Hilton points elsewhere                                   |
| Blue Delta SkyMiles | Personal | 0    | 10k miles on $500 spend        | 2 miles at:                                        | 2.7     |
|                                                                              US restaurants                                           |
|                                                                              Delta flights                                            |
|                                                                          1 mile elsewhere                                             |
| Amex EveryDay       | Personal | 0    | 10k MR on $1k spend            | 2 points at US supermarkets                        | 2.7     |
|                                                                          1 point elsewhere                                            |
| Blue                | Personal | 0    | None                           | 1 MR per $                                         | 2.7     |
| Blue Business Plus  | Business | 0    | 10k MR on $3k spend            | 2 MR per $                                         | 2.7     |
| SimplyCash          | Business | 0    | $250 on 5k spend (90 day)      | 5%:                                                | 2.7     |
|                                         $250 on 15k spend (1 year)           US office supply stores                                  |
|                                                                              wireless telephone services                              |
|                                                                          3% in 1 of the following:                                    |
|                                                                              Airfare                                                  |
|                                                                              hotels                                                   |
|                                                                              car rentals                                              |
|                                                                              gas                                                      |
|                                                                              advertising                                              |
|                                                                              U.S. restaurants                                         |
|                                                                              U.S. shipping                                            |
|                                                                              U.S. computer hardware                                   |
|                                                                          1% else                                                      |
| Lowe's              | Business | 0    | None                           | 5% off at Lowe's                                   | 2.7     |
6397 replies
Sep 21st, 2010 6:08 pm
mrbeachman
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Dec 10, 2008
1659 posts
49 upvotes

Sep 21st, 2010 6:08 pm

Take a day off and cross the border. Most smaller banks will open an account for you. I have one with Community Bank. Key bank is Canadian friendly too.

Everything else is hit and miss.

BTW, you mean VISA/MC debit card, right?
+1
Sep 21st, 2010 8:08 pm
Magoomba
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Nov 22, 2002
2730 posts
472 upvotes

Sep 21st, 2010 8:08 pm

Opening a bank account in the US requires a passport and a mailing address.
I used a friend's address and managed to open an account with Bank of America in Bellingham, WA.

Currently I am working on getting an American Express card. I'm doing it through their Special Handling department.
This is all done over the phone. Presumably, if you have an AMEX card in Canada, they can transfer your credit history over.
My application is still "in processing" stage according to their rep.

I'll create a new thread on this topic if everything goes successfully.

PS: Somehow Capital One already has my info (either culled from Bank of America and/or AMEX) and they have already sent me TWO credit card applications to my US address. Hilarious.
+1
Sep 21st, 2010 8:35 pm
mrbeachman
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User avatar
Dec 10, 2008
1659 posts
49 upvotes

Sep 21st, 2010 8:35 pm

Magoomba wrote: ↑
Sep 21st, 2010 8:08 pm
Opening a bank account in the US requires a passport and a mailing address.
I used a friend's address and managed to open an account with Bank of America in Bellingham, WA.
I just opened a PO box in the States and it worked wonderfully.
Sep 21st, 2010 8:46 pm
komodor
Sr. Member
User avatar
Aug 7, 2010
757 posts
167 upvotes

Sep 21st, 2010 8:46 pm

If you go with Harris Bank, you can use the BMO ATMs to withdraw cash fee-free, whenever the exchange rate seems acceptable to you. They also have a true US based mastercard, but you have to call them to apply (no online).
Sep 21st, 2010 8:55 pm
nauru
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Sep 21st, 2010 8:55 pm

Just do RBC Bank USA. You don't even have to go to the US. It's a true US-based bank account, and they'll give you a true US-based credit card, line of credit and other stuff. No fees at all for any of this.

Can be opened at a local RBC branch in Canada (even though the account will technically be based in Florida).

Also if you keep a balance of 700 bucks, they will give you free ATM withdrawals at any ATM in America, and refund the fee charged by the owner of the ATM. So you when you are in the US you can use Citi ATMs, Bank of America ATMs, JP Morgan ATMs, etc all for free; you never have to think about finding an RBC ATM (max 4 times a month I think though, so don't overdo it).

I've yet to see another US bank that offers all this with no fees whatsoever, and no requirement to show up in the United States to open the US bank account. That includes the "US divisions" of all the other Canadian banks.
+11
Sep 21st, 2010 11:57 pm
CorSter
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3282 posts
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Sep 21st, 2010 11:57 pm

Harris Bank lets Canadians open up accounts on their website without stepping foot in the states.
+1
Sep 22nd, 2010 12:40 am
guessaaa
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Oct 9, 2005
1833 posts
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Sep 22nd, 2010 12:40 am

nauru wrote: ↑
Sep 21st, 2010 8:55 pm
Just do RBC Bank USA. You don't even have to go to the US. It's a true US-based bank account, and they'll give you a true US-based credit card, line of credit and other stuff. No fees at all for any of this.

Can be opened at a local RBC branch in Canada (even though the account will technically be based in Florida).

Also if you keep a balance of 700 bucks, they will give you free ATM withdrawals at any ATM in America, and refund the fee charged by the owner of the ATM. So you when you are in the US you can use Citi ATMs, Bank of America ATMs, JP Morgan ATMs, etc all for free; you never have to think about finding an RBC ATM (max 4 times a month I think though, so don't overdo it).

I've yet to see another US bank that offers all this with no fees whatsoever, and no requirement to show up in the United States to open the US bank account. That includes the "US divisions" of all the other Canadian banks.

The best part is online banking "one sign in" that lets you transfer to/from and access the account along with your Canadian-based ones.
+2
Sep 23rd, 2010 4:48 pm
jpm88
Jr. Member
Jul 5, 2006
153 posts
12 upvotes

Sep 23rd, 2010 4:48 pm

Magoomba wrote: ↑
Sep 21st, 2010 8:08 pm
Opening a bank account in the US requires a passport and a mailing address.
I used a friend's address and managed to open an account with Bank of America in Bellingham, WA.

Currently I am working on getting an American Express card. I'm doing it through their Special Handling department.
This is all done over the phone. Presumably, if you have an AMEX card in Canada, they can transfer your credit history over.
My application is still "in processing" stage according to their rep.

I'll create a new thread on this topic if everything goes successfully.

PS: Somehow Capital One already has my info (either culled from Bank of America and/or AMEX) and they have already sent me TWO credit card applications to my US address. Hilarious.

+1. I've done that successfully also and Amex is the only one that will export your Cdn credit history and give you a card. I would be interested to see if you can get those other applications to go thru though, I had "pre approved" applications that didn't, and this was at the height of the easy money so I am not sure it would be easier now. The other thing you might want to try to build up a US credit history is to apply for dept store credit cards like at Macy's or Saks. They should be ok with Cdn applications especially at the outlet malls near the border. Try to get at least 3 items on your US credit records and you'll be on your way to bulding a credit history there.
Sep 23rd, 2010 5:09 pm
qazyutk0
Newbie
Aug 10, 2010
45 posts
5 upvotes
AB

Sep 23rd, 2010 5:09 pm

jpm88 wrote: ↑
Sep 23rd, 2010 4:48 pm
+1. I've done that successfully also and Amex is the only one that will export your Cdn credit history and give you a card. I would be interested to see if you can get those other applications to go thru though, I had "pre approved" applications that didn't, and this was at the height of the easy money so I am not sure it would be easier now. The other thing you might want to try to build up a US credit history is to apply for dept store credit cards like at Macy's or Saks. They should be ok with Cdn applications especially at the outlet malls near the border. Try to get at least 3 items on your US credit records and you'll be on your way to bulding a credit history there.

In order to have , or "build" , US credit file , you MUST have SSN
Without SSN , you don't have US credit file , period .
Sep 23rd, 2010 5:13 pm
nauru
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Sep 22, 2009
2740 posts
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Canadia

Sep 23rd, 2010 5:13 pm

jpm88 wrote: ↑
Sep 23rd, 2010 4:48 pm
+1. I've done that successfully also and Amex is the only one that will export your Cdn credit history and give you a card. I would be interested to see if you can get those other applications to go thru though, I had "pre approved" applications that didn't, and this was at the height of the easy money so I am not sure it would be easier now. The other thing you might want to try to build up a US credit history is to apply for dept store credit cards like at Macy's or Saks. They should be ok with Cdn applications especially at the outlet malls near the border. Try to get at least 3 items on your US credit records and you'll be on your way to bulding a credit history there.

Are you sure that just having US credit products such as credit cards will start you building a credit history in the US, even without a social security number and without an ITIN? If so, please post credible source. I have been wondering this myself and have received conflicting reports. Thanks.
+2
Sep 23rd, 2010 8:49 pm
jpm88
Jr. Member
Jul 5, 2006
153 posts
12 upvotes

Sep 23rd, 2010 8:49 pm

Good point on the SSN, I forgot about that little detail cuz I got one from working there and so was just trying to share the parts after that to eventually get enough credit to get loans there. Let me see if I can find a definite answer but it sounds like it would be tricky. However I guess it wouldn't hurt to get the products, then if you get a SSN# in the future then maybe you can just join the card histories to the SSN.
Sep 24th, 2010 2:22 am
zoicca [OP]
Newbie
Sep 20, 2010
66 posts
44 upvotes

Sep 24th, 2010 2:22 am

Thanks for all the replies. You all rock! I will try RBC's US based account since I already bank with them. Failing that, I will give harris a try.
Sep 24th, 2010 12:31 pm
Dealdood
Jr. Member
Mar 10, 2003
143 posts
13 upvotes

Sep 24th, 2010 12:31 pm

guessaaa wrote: ↑
Sep 22nd, 2010 12:40 am
The best part is online banking "one sign in" that lets you transfer to/from and access the account along with your Canadian-based ones.

Does anyone know if you can do email money xfer from another bank account into the RBC Bank US account or you have to have RBC Royal Bank to perform a fund transfer? I dont really want to open up an RBC Royal bank acct too ...

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