Best Banks That Accept ITIN for Account Opening (2025)

Opening a bank account with an ITIN shouldn't be difficult—but it often is.

Many banks train their staff primarily on SSN procedures. Walk in with an ITIN and you might get confused looks, incorrect denials, or requests for documentation that doesn't apply to you.

The banks on this list have confirmed policies for accepting ITIN holders. Some are easier than others. All are possible with the right documentation and approach.

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Best National Banks for ITIN Holders

Bank of America

ITIN Policy: Accepts ITIN for personal checking, savings, and CDs

Required Documents:

• Valid ITIN (CP565 letter from IRS)
• Government-issued photo ID (passport works)
• Proof of US address (utility bill, lease)
• Initial deposit

Tips:

• Call ahead to confirm the branch handles ITIN accounts
• Bring original documents, not copies
• Ask for a manager if staff seems unfamiliar with ITIN process

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Chase

ITIN Policy: Accepts ITIN for most personal accounts

Required Documents:

• Valid ITIN
• Passport or foreign government ID
• Secondary ID (foreign driver's license, national ID)
• Proof of US address

Tips:

• Some branches are more experienced with ITIN applications
• Chase Private Client locations often handle complex situations better
• Be prepared to wait for verification (may take several days)

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Wells Fargo

ITIN Policy: Accepts ITIN for personal accounts

Required Documents:

• ITIN (CP565 letter or IRS documentation)
• Passport
• Proof of address
• Initial deposit

Tips:

• Wells Fargo has long experience with ITIN accounts
• Staff in immigrant-heavy areas are often more knowledgeable
• Ask about credit card options once account is established

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Citibank

ITIN Policy: Accepts ITIN for personal banking

Required Documents:

• Valid ITIN
• Passport
• Proof of address
• Additional ID may be requested

Tips:

• Citibank is more common in urban areas
• Account fees tend to be higher than competitors
• Strong international wire transfer capabilities

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US Bank

ITIN Policy: Accepts ITIN at most branches

Required Documents:

• ITIN documentation
• Government-issued ID
• Proof of address

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Best Online Banks for ITIN Holders

Online banks can be trickier for ITIN holders since verification happens electronically. However, some work well.

Chime

ITIN Policy: Accepts ITIN for Spending Account

Why Chime works:

• Specifically designed for underbanked populations
• No minimum balance or monthly fees
• Mobile-first experience
• Offers secured credit card (Credit Builder)

Required:

• ITIN
• US address
• Email and phone number

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Mercury (Business Banking)

ITIN Policy: Accepts ITIN for business accounts (with EIN)

Why it works for ITIN holders:

• Business account uses EIN, not personal SSN/ITIN
• ITIN holder can be the LLC owner
• Modern interface and API access

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Novo (Business Banking)

ITIN Policy: Accepts business accounts from ITIN holders

Setup path:

1. Form LLC (ITIN-friendly state like Wyoming)
2. Get EIN for LLC
3. Apply for Novo using EIN
4. ITIN holder listed as owner

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Best Credit Unions for ITIN Holders

Credit unions often have more flexible policies than national banks.

Latino Community Credit Union (LCCU)

Location: North Carolina

ITIN Policy: Specifically serves immigrant communities

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Self-Help Credit Union

Location: Multiple states (CA, NC, FL, IL, WI)

ITIN Policy: Welcomes ITIN holders

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Local Credit Unions

Many community credit unions accept ITIN even without specific policies. Steps to find one:

1. Search: "Credit union ITIN [your city]"
2. Call ahead: "Do you accept ITIN for account opening?"
3. Visit: If unsure, visit in person with all documents

Credit unions to try:

• Navy Federal (may have restrictions)
• BECU (Pacific Northwest)
• Alliant Credit Union
• PenFed Credit Union

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Documents to Bring

Required by All Banks

1. ITIN Documentation

   • CP565 letter (original ITIN assignment)
   • Or: Recent tax return showing ITIN
   • Or: IRS letter with your ITIN

2. Government-Issued Photo ID

   • Passport (most accepted)
   • Foreign driver's license
   • National ID card
   • Matricula Consular (accepted by some)

3. Proof of US Address

   • Utility bill (recent, in your name)
   • Lease agreement
   • Bank statement from another institution
   • Government correspondence

4. Initial Deposit

   • Cash or check for minimum opening amount
   • Typically $25-$100

Sometimes Required

• Secondary ID (two forms of ID total)
• Employment verification
• Proof of income
• Reference letter (rare)

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What to Do If Denied

Step 1: Ask Why

Request specific reason for denial:

• Missing documentation?
• Verification issue?
• Policy confusion?

Step 2: Escalate

If staff seems confused about ITIN policy:

• Ask for a supervisor or manager
• Reference the bank's official ITIN policy (research beforehand)
• Remain calm and professional

Step 3: Try Different Branch

Some branches are more experienced with ITIN applications. Try:

• Branches in diverse neighborhoods
• Larger branches with more staff
• Different location of same bank

Step 4: Try Different Bank

If one bank won't work, move to the next on this list. Don't waste time fighting a battle you can avoid.

Step 5: Consider Credit Union

Credit unions often have more flexibility and personal service. A local credit union may approve you when big banks won't.

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After Opening: Next Steps

Build Relationship

• Set up direct deposit (if applicable)
• Use account regularly
• Maintain positive balance
• Sign up for online banking

Ask About Credit Products

After 3-6 months, inquire about:

• Secured credit card
• Credit-builder programs
• Small personal loans

Many banks offer credit products to established customers that aren't available to new applicants.

Consider Business Account

If you have (or form) an LLC:

• Open business checking with EIN
• Separate personal and business finances
• Build business credit through business accounts

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Banks to Avoid

Some banks are consistently difficult for ITIN holders:

PNC Bank: Inconsistent ITIN policies, frequent branch-level denials

TD Bank: Mixed experiences, some regions better than others

Discover Bank: Online-only model doesn't work well with ITIN verification

Most Online-Only Banks: Automated verification systems often reject ITIN

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Bank Account Opening Checklist

Before Visiting

• Research bank's ITIN policy
• Call branch to confirm they handle ITIN accounts
• Gather all required documents
• Make copies (but bring originals)
• Prepare initial deposit amount

At the Bank

• Ask specifically to open account with ITIN
• Provide all documentation
• Ask about processing time
• Get confirmation of account opening
• Request debit card and checks

After Opening

• Activate debit card
• Set up online banking
• Set up direct deposit (if applicable)
• Monitor account for any issues
• Ask about credit products in 3-6 months

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Next Steps

Having a US bank account is the foundation for everything else—credit cards, credit building, even business formation. Pick a bank from this list, gather your documents, and open your account this week.

If the first bank doesn't work, don't give up. Try another. One of these will work for you.

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Need help navigating banking with ITIN? Freedom Consulting helps ITIN holders access financial services. Book a free consultation to create your banking and credit strategy.

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Related: Building Credit with ITIN | ITIN vs SSN

Disclaimer: Bank policies change. Verify current policies before visiting. This guide is for informational purposes only.

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Continue Learning

This article is part of our Building Credit with ITIN: The Complete Guide for Non-Citizens guide series.

Related articles in this series:

• ITIN vs SSN: Key Differences and What You Can Do With Each
• Credit Cards for ITIN Holders: Complete List of Options
• ITIN Business Funding: How to Access Capital Without SSN