Easy, Safe, and for Everyone: The Essentials of Opening a Bank Account

Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase There are many reasons for opening a bank account. From depositing a check to making a transfer, working with a bank makes it seamless to manage your money in a safe way. Opening up a bank account also makes it easier to pay bills on time, open a debit card, deposit and withdraw money from an ATM, and make transfers from an app, among many other things. Whether you’re opening a bank account online or at a bank branch, it’s important to prepare and anticipate what information you will be asked for. Personal Checking Account If you’re opening up a personal checking account, you will need to fill out an application form and provide the following documents: Identification: You don’t need to be a U.S. citizen to open an account, but you need documents to verify your identity. These may vary slightly from bank to bank, but valid documents typically include: A government-issued photo ID. It could be a driver’s license, for example, or a state ID. Passport with photograph and birth certificate for minors. Social Security card or ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number). The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issues this identification number for those who...