ITIN Bank Account 2026: Open a US Bank Account Without SSN

Which Banks Accept an ITIN for Account Opening in 2026?

At least 8 US banks accept ITIN holders for personal or business accounts. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) confirms that banks are not required to use SSNs exclusively; ITINs are valid identification under federal banking regulations. Here are the most reliable options for ITIN holders.

Mercury: Best for Business Banking

Mercury is the top choice for ITIN holders who need business banking. It charges $0 monthly fees, requires no minimum balance, and provides FDIC insurance up to $5 million through its partner bank network. Mercury approves applications in 1 to 3 business days and offers free domestic ACH transfers, free domestic wires, and virtual debit cards. Over 100,000 startups use Mercury for business banking. Learn the full setup process in our Mercury Bank ITIN guide.

Wise: Best for International Transfers

Wise (formerly TransferWise) serves 16 million customers and moves $12 billion monthly. ITIN holders get US bank details (routing and account number), multi-currency accounts covering 40+ currencies, and transfer fees of 0.3% to 1.5% compared to the 2% to 5% markup banks charge. Wise uses the real mid-market exchange rate with zero hidden markup. Read our Wise ITIN account guide for step-by-step setup.

Relay: Best for Freelancers and Small Business

Relay offers free business checking with up to 20 separate checking accounts per business. Each account gets its own account number and optional Visa debit card. Relay integrates directly with QuickBooks Online, Xero, and Gusto. Monthly fees: $0. Minimum balance: $0. Free ACH transfers and free incoming wires. See our Relay Bank ITIN guide for the full walkthrough.

Bank of America

Bank of America is the largest traditional bank consistently accepting ITIN holders. You can open personal checking, savings, and secured credit card accounts at any of its 3,900+ branches. Monthly fee starts at $4.95 (waivable with $1,500 minimum balance or direct deposit). Bank of America also offers the Customized Cash Rewards Secured Card for ITIN holders building credit.

Chase

Chase accepts ITINs for personal accounts at most of its 4,700+ branches. Chase Total Checking has a $12 monthly fee (waivable with $1,500 balance or $500 direct deposit). Chase offers 16,000 ATMs nationwide and a mobile banking app. Visit a branch with your ITIN letter, passport, and proof of address.

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo accepts ITINs at its 4,500+ branches. The Everyday Checking account has a $10 monthly fee (waivable with $500 direct deposit or $1,500 minimum balance). Wells Fargo offers bilingual services in Spanish at many locations and accepts Matricula Consular as secondary ID.

Citibank

Citibank accepts ITINs for personal accounts in select markets. Its Basic Banking account has a $12 monthly fee (waivable with $1,500 balance). Citibank offers strong international presence, which is useful for ITIN holders who bank in multiple countries.

US Bank

US Bank accepts ITINs at branches across 26 states. The Easy Checking account has a $6.95 monthly fee (waivable with $1,000 balance). US Bank also offers secured credit cards to help ITIN holders build credit.

How Do ITIN Bank Accounts Compare in 2026?

This comparison covers fees, features, and account types across all 8 banks that accept ITIN holders. All data is current as of April 2026.

What Documents Do You Need for an ITIN Bank Account?

4 documents are required at most banks. Federal Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations under the Bank Secrecy Act (31 USC 5318) require banks to verify customer identity. The specific documents depend on whether you open a personal or business account.

Personal Account Documents

• ITIN assignment letter (CP565 notice): Official IRS document confirming your 9-digit ITIN. Issued under IRC Section 6109 as your federal tax identification.
• Valid passport: Current, unexpired passport from your home country. This is the primary photo ID accepted by all banks for ITIN holders.
• Proof of US address: Utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement from the last 90 days showing your name and US address.
• Secondary ID (some banks): National ID card, Matricula Consular, or driver's license. Wells Fargo and Bank of America accept consular IDs.

Business Account Documents

• EIN confirmation letter (CP575): IRS-issued letter confirming your business Employer Identification Number.
• Articles of Organization: Filed with the state where your LLC is registered (Wyoming, Delaware, and New Mexico are popular for non-resident ITIN holders).
• Operating Agreement: Required by Mercury and Relay for multi-member LLCs.

How Do You Open a US Bank Account with an ITIN?

The process takes 6 steps and 1 to 5 days depending on whether you choose an online or traditional bank. Here is the complete walkthrough.

1. Get your ITIN first. You need an active, valid ITIN before any bank will open an account. The IRS issues ITINs through Form W-7 in 7 to 11 weeks for standard processing. Apply for your ITIN through itin.so ($297) to get started without mailing your passport to the IRS.
2. Choose your bank. For business banking, pick Mercury ($0 fees), Relay (20 accounts), or Wise (40+ currencies). For personal banking with branch access, choose Bank of America (3,900+ branches), Chase (4,700+ branches), or Wells Fargo (4,500+ branches).
3. Gather your documents. Collect your CP565 notice, passport, proof of address, and any secondary ID. For business accounts, add your EIN letter and LLC formation documents.
4. Apply online or visit a branch. Mercury, Wise, and Relay accept 100% online applications from any country. Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo require in-person visits.
5. Fund your account. Online banks have $0 minimum deposit. Traditional banks require $25 to $100. Fund via ACH transfer, wire, or cash deposit at a branch.
6. Set up online banking and debit card. Enroll in mobile banking, activate your debit card, and set up direct deposit if applicable. Mercury and Relay provide instant virtual cards while physical cards ship within 5 to 10 business days.

Should You Open a Personal or Business ITIN Bank Account?

The answer depends on your situation. Mixing personal and business finances is a common mistake that creates tax complications and risks your LLC liability protection.

When to Open a Personal Account

Open a personal account for everyday finances: receiving wages, paying rent, and managing daily expenses. Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo are strong options. Personal accounts are also the first step to applying for a secured credit card with your ITIN and building your US credit score.

When to Open a Business Account

Open a business account if you own an LLC, work as a freelancer, sell on Amazon, or receive payments through PayPal or Stripe. Mercury and Relay are designed for this. Separating business and personal finances simplifies your ITIN tax return and protects your LLC liability shield.

What Is the Legal Basis for ITIN Banking?

3 federal regulations support ITIN banking in the United States.

IRC Section 6109: Tax Identification

The Internal Revenue Code Section 6109 authorizes the IRS to issue ITINs to individuals who have federal tax obligations but are not eligible for SSNs. Banks accept ITINs as valid tax identification under this section. The IRS issues ITINs through Form W-7.

Bank Secrecy Act: Customer Identification

Under 31 USC 5318 (the Bank Secrecy Act), banks must implement Customer Identification Programs (CIP). These programs require a taxpayer identification number, which includes ITINs. The Treasury Department confirmed in its 2003 CIP final rule that ITINs satisfy this requirement.

CFPB Guidance on Financial Inclusion

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has issued guidance encouraging banks to serve ITIN holders. The CFPB recognizes that financial inclusion reduces reliance on unregulated financial services and benefits both consumers and the banking system.

How Do You Build Credit After Opening Your ITIN Bank Account?

Building credit follows a 3-step process that takes 12 to 24 months from zero credit to a score of 700+.

Step 1: Open a Secured Credit Card (Month 0)

After your bank account is active, apply for a secured credit card with your ITIN. Deposit $200 to $500 as collateral. Bank of America, Capital One, and Chime all accept ITIN holders for secured cards. All three report to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.

Step 2: Build Payment History (Months 1 to 12)

Use the card for small purchases ($50 to $100/month). Pay the full balance every month. Keep utilization below 30% of your credit limit. After 6 months, the credit bureaus generate your first score (in the range of 580 to 650).

Step 3: Graduate to Unsecured Products (Months 12 to 24)

At 12 to 18 months, your score reaches 680 to 720. You qualify for unsecured credit cards, auto loans, and apartment rentals without extra deposits. A score of 680+ also opens the door to ITIN mortgage programs for homeownership.

Your ITIN bank account is the foundation for everything you can do with an ITIN in the US financial system. Once you have banking and credit established, you can pursue car loans, mortgages, and other financial products.