Top Banking Options for Immigrants and US Non-Citizens

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate banking products to write unbiased product reviews.

Many banks require you to bring a U.S. ID and social security number (SSN) to open an account.
However, there are banks that let you use alternative forms of ID to open an account if you’re not a U.S. citizen.
Juntos Avanzamos-designated credit unions provide services for immigrants and non-citizens.

When you open a bank account, financial institutions require several forms of identification to verify your identity.

Many banks and credit unions will ask for at least a government-issued ID, Social Security number, and home address. Some banks may have stricter documentation requirements.

If you’re not a U.S. citizen, you may not have an SSN or the required IDs needed to open an account at many places. But you do have options. Below, you’ll find some of the banks that accept documents such as foreign IDs if you’re not a U.S. citizen.

Top banks for immigrants and United States non-citizens

1. Bank of America

Bank of America Advantage Savings Account

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

3.25/5

Fees

$8 monthly service fee

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.01% to 0.04%

Minimum Opening Deposit

$100

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

New accounts have monthly fee waived for the first 6 months
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Multiple ways to waive monthly fee after the first 6 months
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No excess withdrawal fee if your balance is at least $20,000, or if you’re a Preferred Rewards customer

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Low APY
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Compounds interest monthly, not daily
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

$100 opening deposit
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

$8 monthly service fee
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

$10 excess withdrawal fee

Product Details

Access to over 3,900 branches and 15,000 ATMs
Earn slightly higher rates by becoming a Preferred Rewards customer and qualifying for the Gold, Platinum, or Platinum Honors tier
Earn cash back when you make a debit card or credit card purchase through the BankAmeriDeals® program; Cardholders will automatically be enrolled in the program when setting up online banking and a list of eligible offers and deals will be available through online banking
Waive $8 monthly service fee by maintaining $500 balance, OR linking to your Bank of America Advantage Relationship Banking® account, OR by becoming a Preferred Rewards customer
Waive monthly fee if you’re a student under age 25
Waive monthly fee if an account holder is under age 18
Interest compounded monthly and paid monthly
FDIC insured

Branch locations: Over 3,900 branches throughout the U.S.

Alternative identification forms you can use: You need to have two forms of ID with photos. For your primary ID, you can use a Canadian Citizenship Certificate Card, Foreign passport, Mexican Consular ID, Dominican Republic Consular ID, Colombian Consular ID, or Guatemalan Consular ID.

For your secondary ID, you can use any of the primary IDs mentioned — or a credit card from a major financial institution or retail company, debit card from a financial institution, foreign driver’s license, Mexican Voter Registration Card, U.S. Department of State Diplomat ID, or U.S. issued employment ID.

Bank of America Review

2. Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo Way2Save® Savings Account

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

2.5/5

Fees

$5 monthly service fee

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.01%

Minimum Opening Deposit

$25

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

$25 minimum opening deposit
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Automatic savings feature

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Low APY
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

$5 monthly service fee

Product Details

Approximately 4,900 branches and 12,000 ATMs
Waive $5 monthly service fee by maintaining a $300 daily balance, OR setting up automatic savings options, OR be under age 24 and the primary account owner OR transferring $25 or more from a linked Wells Fargo checking account, or have 1 automatic transfer each business day within the fee period of $1 or more from a linked Wells Fargo checking account
Save As You Go® transfers $1 into your Way2Save Savings Account from checking each time you swipe your debit card
Interest compounded daily, paid monthly
FDIC insured

Branch locations: Over 4,900 branch locations throughout the U.S.

Alternative identification forms you can use: You’ll need two forms of ID. Any of the following can be used: a permanent resident card, foreign visa, foreign passport, or Individual Taxpayer Identification (ITIN) number.

Wells Fargo Bank Review

3. U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

4/5

Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp
It indicates a confirmed selection.

Perks

Earn up to $450 when you open a new U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account and complete qualifying activities. Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through September 26, 2024.

Fees

$6.95 monthly service fee

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

See site for details

Minimum Opening Deposit

$25

up to $450 (offer valid through September 26, 2024)

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Low minimum opening deposit
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Several ways to waive monthly service fee
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Large ATM network
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No fee overdraft protection transfers from a linked deposit account
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

$50 overdrawn Available Balance safety threshold and Overdraft Fee Forgiven program
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

May enroll in U.S. Bank Smart Rewards® if you meet certain requirements

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

$6.95 monthly service fee
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

$2.50 out-of-network ATM fee
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

$36 overdraft fee
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

$12.50 overdraft protection transfer fee for transfers over $50 made from a linked credit account

Product Details

Earn up to $450 when you open a new U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account and complete qualifying activities. Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through September 26, 2024. Member FDIC. Complete the following within 90 days of account opening:
– Enroll in online banking or the U.S. Bank Mobile App
– Make two or more direct deposit(s) totaling $2,000 to $4,999.99 to earn $250, $5,000 to $7,999.99 to earn $350 or $8,000 or more to earn $450
Fund your new account within 30 days to start qualifying activities. Offer may not be available if you live outside of the U.S. Bank footprint or are not an existing client of U.S. Bank or State Farm.
Complimentary access to Greenlight to raise financially smart kids
Unlock fewer fees and personalized rewards. Sign up for Smart Rewards after opening your Bank Smartly Checking account.
No ATM transaction fees at U.S. Bank ATMs and no surcharge fees at MoneyPass® Network ATMs • Automated direct deposit switch process makes it easier than ever to set up or switch direct deposit.
No fee overdraft protection transfers from a linked deposit account, $50 overdrawn Available Balance safety threshold and Overdraft Fee Forgiven program

Branch locations: Over 2,000 locations throughout the U.S.

Alternative identification forms you can use: U.S. Bank locations allow you to use a Mexican Matricula Consular as a primary ID to open a bank account.

U.S. Bank Review

4. Santander Bank

Santander® Bank, N.A. Savings Account

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

3.75/5

Fees

$1 monthly service fee

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.03%

Minimum Opening Deposit

$25

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Low $1 monthly service fee
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Easy to waive monthly service fee
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

$0 domestic out-of-network ATM fee for people under the age of 26

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Low APY
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

$25 opening deposit
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

$3 out-of-network ATM fee for anyone above the age of 26

Product Details

Access to over 443 branches and 2,000 ATMs in the East Coast
Waive $1 monthly service fee by opening a Santander checking account or by maintaining a $100 balance in your savings account or for account owners under the age of 26
Member FDIC

Branch locations: 473 branches in the Northeast

Alternative identification forms you can use: If you aren’t a U.S. citizen, you’ll need to have an SSN, ITIN, passport number, permanent resident card, or government-issued ID. You’ll also need to bring with you three forms of ID.

For a primary ID, you can use a foreign passport, Mexican Matricula card, or Guatemalan Consular ID. For your secondary ID, you’ll need any two of the following: employee ID, vehicle registration, birth certificate, medical insurance card, university or school ID, lease agreement, deed, utility bill, debit or ATM card, credit card from a major financial institution, any Matricula ID, any Consular ID, or government visa. For any U.S. IDs, you can view a checklist here.

Santander Bank Review

5. Fifth Third Bank

Fifth Third Momentum® Savings Account

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

3.25/5

Fees

$5 monthly service fee

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.01%

Minimum Opening Deposit

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No minimum opening deposit
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Possible to waive monthly service fee

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Low APY
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

$5 monthly service fee

Product Details

Over 1,087 branches in 11 states in the Southeast and Midwest
Avoid the $5 monthly service fee by having a Fifth Third checking account (excluding Fifth Third Express Banking), OR maintaining at least $500 in your account monthly, OR enrolling in Fifth Third Military Banking
Interest compounded daily, deposited monthly
Member FDIC

Branch locations: 1,087 branches in 11 U.S .states in the Southeast and Midwest

Alternative identification forms you can use: At Fifth Third Bank you can use a Mexican Matricula card as a form of identification.

Fifth Third Bank Review

6. KeyBank

KeyBank Active Saver Account

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

3.5/5

Fees

$4 monthly service fee

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.01%

Minimum Opening Deposit

$10

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

$10 minimum opening deposit
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Possible to waive monthly service fee

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Low APY
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Monthly service fee

Product Details

Over 900 branches in 16 states across the US
Over 50,000 free ATMs through the KeyBank and Allpoint ATM networks
Avoid the $4 monthly service fee if you have a Key Bank checking account
Interest compounded daily, deposited monthly
Member FDIC

Branch and ATM locations: Over 1,000 branches in 16 U.S. states

Alternative identification forms you can use: At KeyBank, you can use a foreign passport, Canadian driver’s license, Mexican driver’s license, Mexican Matricula card, or permanent resident card as your primary form of ID.

KeyBank Review

7. Hope Credit Union

Hope Credit Union Share Account

Start saving

On Hope Credit Union’s secure site. Hope Credit Union, NCUA insured.

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

4.25/5

Fees

no monthly service fee

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.25%

Minimum Opening Deposit

$15

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

$15 minimum opening deposit
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No monthly service fees
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Includes a free ATM card
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Higher APY than many brick-and-mortar banks

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Only 3 withdrawals with a teller and 3 withdrawals at an ATM each month
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

No interest earned if your balance is under $100
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Dividends only compound quarterly
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

$15 minimum balance, otherwise your account goes into overdraft

Product Details

Black-owned credit union
You only need to pay a $10 membership fee to join Hope Credit Union
28 branches and ATMs in AL, AR, LA, MS, and TN
Use over 5,000 branches and 30,000 ATMs in the CO-OP Shared Branching Network
Must maintain $100 balance to earn interest; 0.25% APY on balances up to $100k, 0.10% APY on balances over $100k
Interest compounded quarterly
Federally insured by the NCUA

Branch and ATM locations: 28 branches in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Tennessee

Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can open an account even if you don’t have a Social Security number. You’ll need to provide an ITIN number and home address to open an account.

8. River City Credit Union

River City Federal Credit Union Savings Account

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

4/5

Fees

no monthly service fee

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.20%

Minimum Opening Deposit

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

$5 minimum opening deposit
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No monthly service fee

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Low APY
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Interest compounded monthly

Product Details

Credit union that serves a Hispanic American community
5 branches in San Antonio, Texas, plus part of the Co-op Shared network branches
You can join if you live, work, or go to school in Bexar County
Minimum of $5 needed in account to earn interest
Interest earned and deposited monthly
Federally insured by the NCUA

Branch locations: 5 branches in San Antonio, Texas

9. Guadalupe Credit Union

Guadalupe Credit Union Savings Account

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

3.75/5

Fees

no monthly service fee

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.00% to 0.10%

Minimum Opening Deposit

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

$5 minimum opening deposit
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No monthly service fee

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Low APY
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Minimum of $100 needed in your account to earn APY

Product Details

Hispanic American-owned credit union
7 branches in New Mexico (Santa Fe, Espanola, Mora, Taos)
You or a family member need to be a resident or work in Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, Taos, Torrance, San Miguel, Colfax, or Mora County to become a member
Must maintain $100 in your account to earn 0.10% APY
Interest compounded and deposited quarterly
Federally insured by the NCUA

Branch locations: 7 branches in New Mexico (Santa Fe, Espanola, Mora, Taos)

Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can open an account even if you don’t have a Social Security number. You can use a permanent resident card or another government-issued ID.

1o. Tucoemas Credit Union

Tucoemas Federal Credit Union Regular Share Savings Account

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

3.5/5

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.20%

Minimum Opening Deposit

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

$25 minimum opening deposit
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No monthly service fees

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Low APY
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Need $250 in account to earn APY
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Interest compounded monthly, not daily

Product Details

Credit union that serves a Hispanic American and Black community
5 branch locations in California (Visalia, Tulare, Porterville)
You need to be a resident, work in, or have family in Tulare County, California to join Tuceomas Federal Credit Union
Minimum $250 needed in account daily to earn APY
Interest compounded and deposited monthly
Federally insured by the NCUA

Branch and ATM locations: 5 branch locations in California (Visalia, Tulare, Porterville)

Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can open an account even if you don’t have a Social Security number. You can use a permanent resident card, foreign passport, or Matricula Consular as a photo ID. Plus, you’ll need to provide an ITIN number and home address to open an account.

11. JetStream Credit Union

JetStream Credit Union Savings Account

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

3.75/5

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.05%

Minimum Opening Deposit

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

$5 minimum opening deposit
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No monthly service fees

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Low APY
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Need a minimum of $50 in your account daily to earn interest
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Interest compounds monthly, not daily

Product Details

Credit union that serves a Hispanic American, Native American, and Black community
3 branches in Miami, Florida, 1 branch in Puerto Rico
Use over 5,000 branches and 30,000 ATMs in the CO-OP Shared Branching Network
You only need to pay a $5 membership fee to join Hope Credit Union
Minimum of $50 needed in account daily to earn interest
Interest compounded and deposited monthly
Federally insured by the NCUA

Branch locations: 3 branches near Miami, Florida, 1 branch in Puerto Rico

12. North Jersey Federal Credit Union

North Jersey Federal Credit Union Share Savings Account

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

3.75/5

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.01%

Minimum Opening Deposit

$50

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

$5 minimum opening deposit
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Easy to waive the maintenance fee

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Low APY
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Must meet qualifications for membership
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

$5 maintenance fee per quarter if you don’t have at least $5 in your account
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Interest compounded monthly, not daily

Product Details

Credit union that serves a Hispanic American, Asian American and Black community
3 branches in New Jersey (Totowa, Newark, Elmwood Park)
To become a member, you must live, work, or have family members who are a part of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, and Union Counties
$5 monthly maintenance fee if the account doesn’t have a minimum of $5 per quarter
Interest compounded and deposited monthly
Federally insured by the NCUA

Branch and ATM locations: 3 branches in New Jersey (Totowa, Newark, Elmwood Park)

Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can open an account even if you don’t have a Social Security number. You can use a permanent resident card, foreign passport, foreign driver’s license, or Matricula Consular as a photo ID. Plus, you’ll need to provide an ITIN number and proof of address.

13. Rio Grande Credit Union

Rio Grande Credit Union Primary Savings Account

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

4/5

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.00% to 0.15%

Minimum Opening Deposit

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

$5 minimum opening deposit
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No monthly service fee

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Must have an average daily balance of at least $25 to earn APY
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Interest compounded monthly, not daily
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Low APY

Product Details

Hispanic American-owned credit union
7 branches in New Mexico (Albuquerque, Rio Rancho)
To qualify for membership, you need to live, work, volunteer, or go to school in Bernalillo County of Sandoval County
Tiered interest rate: Earn 0.10% APY if you have $25 to $999.99 in your account; Earn 0.15% APY if you have $1,000 or more in your account
Interest compounded and deposited monthly
Federally insured by the NCUA

Branch and ATM locations: 7 branches in New Mexico (Albuquerque, Rio Rancho)

Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can open an account even if you don’t have a Social Security number. You can provide an ITIN number and proof of address.

14. Brooklyn Cooperative

Brooklyn Cooperative Simple Savings Account

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

3.75/5

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.15%

Minimum Opening Deposit

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No monthly service fee
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

$5 minimum opening deposit

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Low APY compared to online banks
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Interest compounded monthly, not daily

Product Details

Credit union that serves a Hispanic American, Asian American, and Black community
3 branches in New York (Bushwick, Bedford-Stuyvesant)
To become a member, you need to work in or have a family member that lives in Bushwick or Bedford-Stuyvesant, and pay a $25 membership fee
Interest compounded and deposited monthly
Federally insured by the NCUA

Branch and ATM locations: 3 branches in New York (Brooklyn, Bushwick, Bedford-Stuyvesant)

15. Border Federal Credit Union

Border Federal Credit Union Regular Savings Account

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

3.5/5

Fees

no monthly service fee

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.00% to 0.10%

Minimum Opening Deposit

$25

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

$25 minimum opening deposit
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No monthly service fee

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

$500 needed in account to earn APY
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Low APY compared to online banks

Product Details

Hispanic American-led credit union
5 branches in Texas (Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Crystal City)
To be a member, you or a family member must work, live, or go to school in Crockett, Dimmit, Edwards, Frio, Kinney, LaSalle, Maverick, Real, Sutton, Terrell, Uvalde, Val Verde, or Zavala county
Must maintain a minimum daily balance of $500 to earn interest
Interest compounded daily, deposited monthly
Federally insured by the NCUA

Branch and ATM locations: 5 branches in Texas (Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Crystal City)

16. Caprock Federal Credit Union

Caprock Federal Credit Union Share Account

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

3.75/5

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.02% to 0.06%

Minimum Opening Deposit

$25

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

$25 minimum opening deposit
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No monthly service fee

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Low APY
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Need at least $25 in your account to earn APY
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Interest compounded monthly, not daily

Product Details

Hispanic American-owned credit union
2 branches in Texas ( Lamesa, Seminole)
To become a member, you or a family member need to live in Borden County, Dawson County, Lynn County, Gaines County, or Garza County
Tiered interest rate: Earn 0.02% APY if you maintain up to $4,999.99 in your account; Earn up to 0.05% APY if you maintain $5,000 to $9,999.99 in your account; Earn 0.06% APY if you maintain $10,000 to $24,999.99 in your account; Earn 0.07% APY if you maintain $25,000 to $49,999.99 in your account; Earn 0.08% APY if you maintain $50,000 to $99,999.99 in your account; Earn 0.09% APy for $100,000 or more in your account
Interest compounded and deposited monthly
Federally insured by the NCUA

Branch and ATM locations: 2 branches in Texas ( Lamesa, Seminole)

Alternative identification forms you can use: As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, you can use a permanent resident card, foreign passport, or Matricula Consular as a photo ID. Plus, you’ll need to provide an ITIN number and proof of address.

17. Coastal Community Federal Credit Union

Branch and ATM locations: 1 main branch in Galveston, Texas

18. FirstLight Federal Credit Union

First Light Federal Credit Union Share Account

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

4/5

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.15%

Minimum Opening Deposit

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

$5 minimum opening deposit
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No monthly service fees

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Low APY compared to online banks
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Need $100 in account daily to earn interest

Product Details

Credit union that serves a Hispanic American and Asian American community
11 branches in El Paso, Texas and Las Cruces, New Mexico
To become a member, you or a family member need to live, work, or go to school in El Paso County or Dona Ana County; you’re also eligible if you are a military member at Fort Bliss
To earn interest, you need to have $100 in your account daily
Interest compounded daily, deposited monthly
Federally Insured by the NCUA

Branch and ATM locations: 11 branches in El Paso, Texas, and Las Cruces, New Mexico

19. GECU

GECU Savings Account

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

4/5

Fees

no monthly service fee

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.15%

Minimum Opening Deposit

$10

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

$20 minimum opening deposit
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No monthly service fees

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Need $100 in your account daily to earn APY
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Interest compounded quarterly, not daily
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Low APY compared to online banks
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Only 4 free transactions per month, then $3 per transaction

Product Details

Credit union that serves a Hispanic American community
27 locations in El Paso, Texas, and part of the CO-OP Shared network
To become a member, you or a family member need to work or live in El Paso County, Dona Ana County, or Hudspeth County
To earn APY, you need to maintain $100 in your account daily
Interest compounded and deposited quarterly
Federally insured by the NCUA

Branch locations: 27 locations in El Paso, Texas, and part of the Co-Op Shared network

20. Generations Federal Credit Union

Generations Federal Credit Union Share Savings Account

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

4/5

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.10%

Minimum Opening Deposit

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

$5 minimum opening deposit
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No monthly service fees

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Low APY compared to online banks
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Interest compounded quarterly, not daily

Product Details

Credit union that serves an Asian American, Black, and Hispanic American community
6 branches in San Antonio, Texas and is part of the Co-Op Shared network
To become a member, you or a family member need to live or work in Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina, or Wilson County
Interest compounded and deposited quarterly
Federally insured by the NCUA

Branch and ATM locations: 6 branches in San Antonio, Texas and is part of a shared branching network for credit unions

21. Resource One Credit Union

Resource One Credit Union Basic Savings Account

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

4/5

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.10%

Minimum Opening Deposit

$25

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

$25 minimum opening deposit
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No monthly service fee

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Need a minimum of $250 in account daily to earn APY
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Need a minimum of $25 in account daily to keep membership open
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Low APY compared to online banks

Product Details

Credit union that serves an Asian American, Black, and Hispanic American community
13 branches in Texas (Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Dallas, Irving, Houston, Mesquite, Garland, Spring) and part of the CO-Op Shared network
To become a member, you or a family member need to live in Dallas County, Houston County, or nearby the Carrollton branch; You are also eligible if your workplace is a Resource One Select Employee Group
Need to maintain $250 in your account daily to earn APY
Interest compounded daily, deposited quarterly
Federally insured by the NCUA

Branch and ATM locations: 13 branches in Texas (Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Dallas, Irving, Houston, Mesquite, Dallas, Garland, and Road Spring) and part of the CO-Op Shared network.

22. Rocket Federal Credit Union

Rocket Federal Credit Union Share Account

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

4/5

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.25%

Minimum Opening Deposit

$25

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

$25 minimum opening deposit
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No monthly service fee

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Low APY
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Need at least $100 in your account daily to earn APY

Product Details

Credit union that serves a Native American and Hispanic American community
1 branch in McGregor, Texas
To become a member, you need to live or work in McGregor, Texas
Need at least $100 to earn APY
Interest compounded and deposited quarterly
Federally insured by the NCUA

Branch and ATM locations: 1 branch in McGregor, Texas

23. Security First Credit Union

Security First Credit Union Regular Share Account

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

3.75/5

Fees

no monthly service fee

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.00% to 0.25%

Minimum Opening Deposit

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

$5 minimum opening deposit
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No monthly service fees

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Low APY
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Need to maintain at least $100 in your account daily to earn APY
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Interest compounds monthly, not daily

Product Details

Credit union that serves a Hispanic American community
9 branches in Texas (Brownsville, Edinburg, Harlingen, McAllen, Mission, Pharr, San Benito, Weslaco)
Need to maintain at least $100 in your account daily to earn APY
To become a member, you need to live or work in the Rio Grande Valley
Interest compounded and deposited monthly
Federally insured by the NCUA

Branch and ATM locations: 9 branches in Texas (Brownsville, Edinburg, Harlingen, McAllen, Mission, Pharr, San Benito, Weslaco)

24. Select Federal Credit Union

Select Federal Credit Union Savings Account

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

4/5

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.25%

Minimum Opening Deposit

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

$5 minimum opening deposit
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No monthly service fee
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Competitive APY compared to brick-and-mortar banks

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Interest compounded monthly, not daily
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Need at least $5 to earn APY

Product Details

Credit union that serves a Hispanic American community
2 branches in San Antonio, Texas
To become a member, you need to live, work or go to school in Eastside San Antonio
Need at least $5 to earn APY
Interest compounded and deposited monthly
Federally insured by the NCUA

Branch and ATM locations: 2 branches in San Antonio, Texas

25. Southwest 66 Credit Union

Southwest 66 Credit Union Regular Shares Account

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

4/5

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.20%

Minimum Opening Deposit

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

$1 minimum opening deposit
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No monthly service fees
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Competitive APY compared to brick-and-mortar banks

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Need $100 in your account daily to earn APY
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Interest compounded quarterly, not daily

Product Details

Credit union that serves a Hispanic American community
3 branches in Texas (Odessa, Midland)
To become a member, you or a family member need to live or work in Midland County or Ector County
To earn APY, you need to maintain $100 in your account daily
Federally insured by the NCUA

Branch and ATM locations: 3 branches in Texas (Odessa, Midland)

26. Star of Texas Credit Union

Star of Texas Credit Union Regular Savings Account

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

3.5/5

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.15%

Minimum Opening Deposit

$10

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

$20 minimum opening deposit
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No monthly service fees

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Low APY
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Need a minimum of $100 in your account daily to earn APY
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Need a minimum of $10 in your account daily to continue membership
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Interest compounded quarterly, not daily

Product Details

Credit union that serves a Black and Hispanic American community
2 branches in Austin, Texas
To become a member, you need to live or work in Travis County and open a savings account with a minimum opening deposit of $20
Interest compounded and deposited quarterly
Need at least $100 in account to earn APY
Need at least $10 in account to continue membership
Federally insured by the NCUA

Branch and ATM locations: 2 branches in Austin, Texas

27. DC Credit Union

DC Credit Union Regular Savings Account

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

3.5/5

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.05%

Minimum Opening Deposit

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

$5 minimum opening deposit
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

Easy to waive service fees

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Low APY
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

$2 monthly service fee
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Interest compounded monthly, not daily

Product Details

Credit union that serves a Black and Hispanic American community
3 branches in Washington DC and part of the Co-Op Shared network
To avoid $2 monthly service fee, maintain at least $5 in your account daily
To become a member, you or a family member need to live or work in Adams Mortgan, Mt Pleasant or Columbia Heights; or have an employer that’s a Bank of DC Participant or part of a Select Employee Group
Interest compounded and deposited monthly
Federally insured by the NCUA

Branch and ATM locations: 3 branches in Washington DC and part of the Co-Op Shared network.

28. PAHO/WHO Credit Union

PAHO/WHO Federal Credit Union Regular Savings Account

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

3.75/5

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.10%

Minimum Opening Deposit

Pros

Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

$5 minimum opening deposit
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.

No monthly service fee

Cons

con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Low APY
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.

Need a minimum of $5 in your account daily to earn APY

Product Details

Black-owned credit union
1 branch in Washington DC
To become a member you or a family member must be one of the following: a Pan American Health Organization employee; a World Health Organization employee; a CORE Group member; an employee of a global health community partner organization; Georgetown University faculty or staff; or a MedStar Georgetown Unversity Hospital employee
Need $5 in account daily to earn interest
Interest compounded daily, deposited monthly
Federally insured by the NCUA

Branch and ATM locations: 1 branch in Washington DC

Banking for people who aren’t United States citizens: FAQs

Yes, immigrants and non-citizens can open a bank account in the United States. The best credit unions and banks for immigrants and non-citizens accept a foreign passport, consular ID, or foreign ID if you don’t have an identification document issued by the U.S.

When choosing a bank, immigrants should look for specialized customer service, account options, educational resources, and community involvement.

Yes. There are banks with multilingual banking services in the U.S. For example, many Hispanic American-owned banks offer customer support in Spanish.

You’ll need two forms of ID and proof of address. Acceptable forms of ID vary by financial institution. Generally, you can use a foreign passport, foreign ID, or consular ID.

Why special banking services matter

According to an FDIC study conducted in 2021, 9.3% of Latinos remained unbanked. Two of the main reasons cited for not having a bank account were that the individuals weren’t able to meet the minimum balance requirement to open a bank account and that they didn’t trust banks.

Historically, Hispanic Americans have been affected by discriminatory lending practices that limited their opportunities for economic growth. However, these practices don’t apply to every financial institution, nor does it negate the important role banking plays if trying to manage money or make a budget.

The FDIC and NCUA created programs for minority-owned depository institutions because these banks and credit unions provided services and products to underserved communities. Legislation such as the Community Reinvestment Act has also required banks and credit unions to provide services and products to these communities.

If you want to know whether a bank has gone through any public controversies involving specific communities or groups, our bank reviews will include such information to help you decide what your best options are.

Pablo DeFilippi, executive vice president of the Inclusiv Network, points out that many banking products and services are integral tools for managing personal finances. While some immigrant communities may be used to using cash as a primary way of managing money, the U.S. requires different tools.

Bank accounts allow you to safely store your money in one place. When you bank with a financial institution that is FDIC or NCUA-insured, your account is protected for up to $250,000.

Having a credit card and managing it properly allows individuals to build a credit history and credit score to drive future purchases.

Putting money in a bank account or investing allows people to accumulate interest, which may help with creating a way to accomplish savings goals efficiently. If you want to begin your own business, business accounts or small business loans can serve as important stepping stones for getting there.

Criteria for choosing a bank

Everyone should have access to fair banking tools and services regardless of their citizenship or immigration status. Though your options largely depend on where you live, it isn’t an impossible feat. You do have options, but you’ll have to search for them.

Juntos Avanzamos-designated credit unions

A Juntos Avanzamos-designated credit union provides services for Hispanic and immigrant communities. To receive the designation, the institution has to fill out an application. Then it will be reviewed by a selection committee, who will see whether the credit union aligns with the goals created by the initiative.

“We’re looking at a real commitment of the institution to serve this community,” said DeFilippi. “To get the designation, you need to make sure that your policies and your procedures are welcoming and would enable someone, regardless of their immigration status to open an account and also access credit.”

The designation also looks at the number of bilingual and Hispanic staff and how it is involved with the local community.

While Juntos Avanzamos was created in 2005, the initiative has gone through some changes over the years. Originally the goal of the initiative was to educate Hispanic communities about different financial services available. However, the initiative now makes a greater effort to address systemic barriers in banking.

Juntos Avanzamos designated credit unions are available in certain states and have small branches because they serve primarily underserved and local communities.

National banks

Some national banks offer more flexible ID requirements. However, processes or customer experiences may vary at branch locations.

DeFilippi says to be persistent while searching for financial products and services, even if you’re initially turned away because of your immigration status.

“It takes courage to get out and approach a financial institution., but I think that is critical that we all do that,” said DeFilippi. “If someone says no to you, go someplace else.”

Services that matter for immigrants and United States non-citizens

Choosing where to bank will ultimately depend on your preferences. You may want to consider the following:

Location, branch, and ATM network: It’s important to know which banks are closest to your home. If you routinely travel, you may also want to look at which banks have a larger ATM network to avoid bank ATM fees.
Account options: Banks don’t all have the same account options. Some banks may have a variety of checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit. Others won’t. You’ll need to figure out which accounts you want, then compare the features between different banking products.
Monthly fees, overdraft fees, out-of-network ATM fees: Some banks will impose additional fees on your account for maintenance or overdrawing. If you want to avoid common bank fees, you’ll want to see if an institution lets you waive these fees or doesn’t charge any.
Bank trustworthiness: To see whether a bank is the right fit for you, it’s best to get a broader understanding of its history. Some banks have also gone through some recent controversies. If you want to read through some of our reviews, we will include this information.
Bilingual services and customer service availability: If you need services in another language, some banks will provide separate phone numbers or accessibility features in another language. If you also prioritize customer service, you’ll want a bank with 24/7 customer support or a variety of customer service features.
Involvement with the community: Some institutions attend or host local events in the community. Others may also set up scholarship programs for high school students, partner with local organizations, or have financial education for new U.S. residents.

How to open a bank account with an alternative ID

If you are not a U.S. citizen, look for financial institutions that will let you use a foreign ID or a consular ID as your primary form of identification. It may be helpful to visit your local consulate to see if it can tell you of any nearby banking solutions for non-citizen residents.

Once you’ve chosen a bank, you’ll likely have to open a bank account in person since most online applications require you to provide a social security number. When applying to a bank in person, bring at least two forms of ID, proof of address, and enough cash to meet your bank account’s minimum opening deposit requirement.

Methodology: How we chose the top banks for immigrants and United States non-citizens

We’ve included a mix of national banks and NCUA-designated minority depository institutions so that you can explore a variety of options and find a bank that is the best fit for you, depending on your needs or documentation.

We also wanted to provide a list of credit unions and banks that could help you regardless of where you live.

National banks mentioned on our list are also featured on our best banks guide. These banks tend to have larger branches and ATM networks, so you may be more likely to find one that’s closer to home.

As for our credit unions, we selected ones that received a Juntos Avanzamos designation. Juntos Avanzamos is an initiative that’s committed to helping Hispanic and immigrant consumers find suitable financial products. To become a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, one of the requirements is to be able to accept alternative ID forms if you don’t have a U.S. ID.

2018 California Journalism Awards Campus Contest for her photography.She loves helping people find the best solutions for their unique needs and hopes that more people will find the tools to solve their financial problems. She’s inspired by stories of everyday people adapting to their financial circumstances and overcoming their fears around money.ExpertiseSophia’s expertise includes:

Bank accounts
Savings and CD rate trends
Budgeting
Saving
How banks operate

EducationSophia graduated from California State University Fullerton with a degree in journalism and a minor in political science.She is an avid reader across a variety of genres, and she started running in 2021. She ran in the 2024 Los Angeles Marathon.“/>

Sophia Acevedo

Banking Editor

Sophia Acevedo is a banking editor at Business Insider. She has spent three years as a personal finance journalist and is an expert across numerous banking topics.ExperienceSophia leads Personal Finance Insider’s banking coverage, including reviews, guides, reference articles, and news. She edits and updates articles about banks, checking and savings accounts, CD rates, and budgeting and saving. She is highly knowledgeable about long-term trends in rates and offers at banks across the U.S.Before joining Business Insider, Sophia worked as a journalist at her college newspaper and was a freelance writer. She has spent seven years writing and editing as a journalist.Sophia was nominated for an Axel Springer Award for Change in 2023 for her coverage of ABLE accounts, tax-free savings accounts for people with disabilities. She was also a winner of a 2018 California Journalism Awards Campus Contest for her photography.She loves helping people find the best solutions for their unique needs and hopes that more people will find the tools to solve their financial problems. She’s inspired by stories of everyday people adapting to their financial circumstances and overcoming their fears around money.ExpertiseSophia’s expertise includes:

Bank accounts
Savings and CD rate trends
Budgeting
Saving
How banks operate