Banking and credit for immigrants in the US — accounts, credit, and mortgages with an ITIN

Banking and credit for immigrants in the US

You do not need a Social Security number to be part of the US financial system. With an ITIN — and often just a passport or consular ID — you can open a checking and savings account, build a US credit score, get a credit card, send money home, and eventually qualify for a mortgage. This guide walks through each step and points you to the most ITIN-friendly options.

Banking with an ITIN at a glance

In this guide

• Banks that accept an ITIN — which banks and credit unions open accounts without an SSN, and what to bring
• ITIN-friendly banks by state — options near you, state by state
• Build credit with an ITIN — secured cards, credit-builder loans, and the path to a score
• ITIN mortgages — how to buy a home without an SSN
• Sending remittances — compare Wise, Remitly, and others on cost and speed

What you can open with an ITIN

• Checking and savings accounts at most major banks and nearly all credit unions
• Secured credit cards that report to the three credit bureaus
• Credit-builder loans designed to establish a payment history
• Auto loans and, over time, ITIN mortgages with participating lenders
• Money-transfer and remittance accounts to send funds abroad

How banks verify you without an SSN

Under the PATRIOT Act’s Customer Identification Program, a bank must confirm who you are before opening an account — but the law lets banks accept a taxpayer identification number (which an ITIN is) in place of an SSN. In practice most institutions ask for:

1. An ITIN (or, at some banks, a passport or matrícula consular)
2. A second form of ID (passport, consular ID, or foreign driver license)
3. Proof of US address (a lease, utility bill, or bank statement)
4. An opening deposit (often $25–$100)

If one bank declines, another may not — policies vary by institution and even by branch. Our ITIN bank state filter helps you find options where you live.

Official and consumer resources

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — banking basics (en español)
• FDIC — deposit insurance
• NCUA — credit union insurance

Last verified: 2026-06-03.

General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or financial advice. Bank policies, fees, and credit rules change — verify with the institution before acting. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed professional.

Related procedural information

• ITIN — get your taxpayer ID for banking — required to open most accounts without an SSN
• Form an LLC for business banking — separate business and personal finances
• Find legal aid for banking disputes — consumer-protection attorneys
• Consulate of your country — many issue the consular ID banks accept