5 simple steps to establish a US bank account

2021-09-20
New Paysend Features
All articles
Personal Finance Tips
Digital Money
阅读时间:2 分钟
5 simple steps to establish a US bank account

When you open a bank account online or in-person, you will need to provide the bank, credit union, or financial institution with specific documentation which meets their eligibility requirements. 

Certain types of accounts, such as saving accounts, joint accounts, or certificates of deposits (CD) have a minimum age or other additional specifications.

What do I need to open a US bank account?

  • Two forms of government-issued photo identification, such as a valid driver’s license, passport or student ID
  • A social security number or individual taxpayer identification number
  • A utility bill with current address information
  • Contact information such as name, address, and phone number
  • Student checking accounts may require proof of enrollment in an eligible school, such as a student ID or an acceptance letter.
  • If the bank has a minimum deposit requirement, you may need to provide this when applying.

How to open a bank account

You can open a bank account by following these simple steps:

  1. Select a bank after making sure to consider the features, benefits, ATM access, and account types, as well as any applicable monthly fees.
  2. Confirm the bank or credit union’s eligibility and age requirements for opening a savings or checking account.
  3. Visit a local branch or access their online site to learn more about the terms and conditions.
  4. Choose the preferred accounts for you, such as checking, savings, or both.
  5. Read all the information provided thoroughly. Once approved, request a debit card. 

Start sending money with Paysend within minutes, with most of our transfers completing in close to real-time! You may also read about how to easily make your first transfer with Paysend

Download the Paysend app* from the App Store or Google Play, or visit our homepage now to begin transferring money internationally!

*Standard data rates from your wireless service provider may apply.

 

Download Paysend App

最新帖子

A network you can rely on for international money transfers – read what our customers have to say
2026-07-02
值得信赖的国际汇款网络——看看我们的客户怎么说

向海外汇款应该是轻松且安全的体验。使用 Paysend,人们知道他们的资金会快速到账且无压力。这不仅关乎速度——更关乎信任、安全,以及每一次都能顺利完成的确定性。

本文分享了真实客户的使用体验,以及可靠性为何在日常生活中如此重要。文章展示了用户如何评价 Paysend,以及该网络如何每天在全球范围内安全地转移资金。

All articles
Why International Money Transfers Fail – and How Often It Happens
2026-06-30
Why International Money Transfers Fail – and How Often It Happens

Sending money abroad should feel simple, but if your international transfer is delayed or not received, it’s natural to wonder what went wrong.

International money transfers can be delayed, held, or returned for several reasons, most commonly due to compliance checks, missing information, processing cut-off times, or intermediary bank reviews. Industry reporting suggests that while the majority of transfers complete successfully, a small but meaningful share requires manual handling or additional processing, which can cause delays.

It’s important to understand that international money transfers involve multiple institutions, compliance checks, and settlement systems. Because of this, delays or exceptions are not unusual and are typically linked to process or regulatory requirements rather than technical failures or user mistakes.

With that in mind, this guide explains why international transfers may not be received as expected, how often this happens and what you can realistically do next.

All articles
Digital Money