Can a Canadian Open a Bank Account IN the USA?

[Kaos Creator]

I received a check from the US for something I sold and it is for a larger amount of $$. I NEED this money asap and my canadian bank wants to put a hold on the check for 25 days! I cannot wait that long - I sold this item so I would have some xmas money and pay some VERY overdue bills. I live 3 mins from the us border and can go down tommorrow and open an account and get the money that way - but - CAN a canadian open an acct in the us???? Does anyone know???

 

[WDW2002]

I don't know the answer for sure but I do know that in most cases the bank where the persons account is will cash the check even with out you having account.

So if the bank (that the account is at) is Wells Fargo for example, you can go to any Wells Fargo bank and cash the check.

 

[Mskanga]

Kaos , I went through the same thing a few months ago but it turned out that the bank the check was drawn out of, told me that all my bank had to do was call them to verify the funds were available, it took my bank 2 days to get the money but they wanted to hold it for 21, as you can imagine, since they got "caught" , they couldn't do it.
I would say call the bank the check is drawn from, explain the situation and ask them what is the best way to cash that check with the shortest wait.

 

[Pam]

Kaos,
I don't know - but I deal with some Canadian companies and they always pay by sending a check that is clearly stamped, U.S. Account. It seems to me that they have an account somewhere in the U.S.

Could you call the bank over in the States and inquire?

Pam

 

[mrsv98]

Kaos,

I lived in England for a year and was able to open a bank account no problem. I would think it would be the same for you. You may need to deposit something more than the check to open it, however.

 

[SplshMtn99]

I used to be an asst bank manager.
I think you need to have a Social Security #...... don't you?

If the check isn't drawn on a bank near you in the US, perhaps you could ask the buyer to pay by a check already converted to Canadian funds --- and in a guaranteed form -- like a bank check. It may be more work for THEM, so maybe you can give them a little $ for doing that. But you may get your $ faster. Ask your bank ahead of time what type of check you have the shortest hold time on it.

Did your bank offer any suggestions? Talk to the manager, not just the teller. In a US bank, funds can be made available faster than they tell you. BUT, remember, if that check gets returned for some reason, you are still responsible for it. The safest way to be sure, is to wait out the time frame they said. Sorry.

 

[minnie56]

I recently had a substantial cheque from the Walt Disney Company and even though I have a U.S dollar account here in Canada....they still held the Disney cheque for 21 business days!!

I asked if they truly had concerns about the viability of Disney and they said "It doesn't matter who it is...we still hold the cheque"

You could have had the buyer send you a U.S Money Order (Pink form) and that would have been easier to cash here with no hold.

I'm not sure if you can open an account and have them just cash your cheque..you may indeed have to go at least to the buyers bank if not their particular branch?

Good Luck!

 

[epcotfan]

What about using Money Mart? They cash US cheques for a fee. It would save you the trouble of opening up an account you wouldn't use too often.