How To Open a US Bank Account | Challenges for International Founders

Opening a US business bank account as an international founder requires a registered US entity, proper documentation, and a physical US address. Traditional banks reject most international applications due to strict Know Your Customer regulations, while online banks like Mercury and Revolut accept international founders. Post-Covid restrictions have made traditional banking nearly impossible for foreign entities. This guide covers documentation, application processes, rejection reasons, and solutions.

Why Traditional Banks Reject International Applications

The Bank Secrecy Act and USA PATRIOT Act create strict verification requirements that make international founders unprofitable for traditional banks. A $10,000 account from overseas generates the same compliance burden as a $10 million domestic account but produces minimal fee revenue. Banks see regulatory risk without corresponding profit, leading to systematic rejection of international applications.

Major banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo require at least one US citizen or permanent resident as an account signer.

Regional banks may accept international founders but demand minimum balances of $25,000 to $100,000 plus mandatory in-person branch visits. These requirements create impossible barriers for startups without existing US operations or significant capital reserves.

Traditional banks request commercial leases, utility bills in the business name, and proof of substantial US revenue before approval. International founders forming their first US entity can’t provide these documents because they don’t exist yet.

Online Banking Solutions for International Founders

Mercury and Revolut have built verification processes specifically for remote businesses without US physical presence. Mercury serves over 200,000 businesses with $20 billion in deposits while Revolut manages $18.2 billion across 52.5 million customers globally.

Both provide FDIC insurance through partner banks with identical $250,000 per depositor coverage as traditional institutions. Mercury offers FDIC insurance through Choice Financial Group, a Kansas state-chartered bank.

Revolut provides insurance through Lead Bank, an FDIC member institution. Your deposits are held by and insured through these partner banks, not Mercury or Revolut directly. The FDIC protection equals any traditional bank account. Online banks process payments through the same ACH network, wire transfer systems, and card networks as traditional banks.

The infrastructure operates identically with differences appearing in fees, approval speed, international transfer costs, and multi-currency account availability. Traditional applications take three to six weeks while online banks approve accounts in 24 hours to five business days. American businesses view online banking as modern and efficient rather than questionable, demonstrating commitment to speed and innovation that aligns with US market expectations.

Required Documentation Checklist

Your US entity must be fully incorporated with completed Secretary of State filing before applying. Banks verify entity status directly through state databases, so pending applications get rejected immediately. The entity must be active and in good standing with current annual reports filed. Personal identification needs government-issued photo ID from a supported country.

Foothold America’s virtual office service provides verified commercial addresses that banks accept with proper lease agreements and documentation. Business verification requires clear description of operations, your website URL, projected revenue figures, and business model explanation.

Vague descriptions like “consulting services” trigger manual review and delays while specific details about products, services, target customers, and revenue generation methods pass verification faster.

Mercury vs Revolut: Complete Comparison

Mercury works better for businesses primarily focused on the US market with minimal international operations. The free basic account provides unlimited ACH transfers and straightforward interface suited for domestic transactions. Integration with US accounting software and payment processors makes it ideal for SaaS companies, e-commerce businesses, and service providers targeting American customers.

Revolut excels for businesses with significant international components where multi-currency accounts allow holding balances in euros, British pounds, Canadian dollars, and 25+ other currencies without forced conversion. Lower international transfer fees create substantial savings for companies regularly receiving payments from European customers or paying international contractors. The Pro tier offers 1,000 free international wire transfers monthly at $0.20 each after, making it dramatically cheaper than Mercury for high-volume international transactions.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Incorporate your US entity first through Delaware, Wyoming, or your operational state. Complete full incorporation including filing Articles of Incorporation or Organization and appointing your registered agent. Delaware typically processes in 5-7 business days while Wyoming processes in 3-5 business days.

Apply for your EIN immediately after incorporation by completing IRS Form SS-4 online in 10-15 minutes. Line 5a requires a physical address for principal business location. Secure your virtual office address and obtain lease agreement and confirmation letter before starting bank application.

Scan your passport, proof of residential address, and business documents at high resolution. Choose between Mercury for US-focused operations or Revolut for international banking. Complete the application in one 30-45 minute sitting with all documentation accessible. Monitor email closely for verification requests.

Common Rejection Reasons

Address verification failures cause 40% of rejections. Banks maintain databases of flagged addresses and automatically reject applications from locations shared by hundreds of businesses. P.O. boxes trigger instant rejection while low-quality virtual offices fail verification.

Information mismatches between entity registration and bank application raise fraud concerns. Use identical business names, addresses, and officer information across all documentation. Industry restrictions in terms of service eliminate cannabis, cryptocurrency, adult entertainment, gambling, weapons, and charitable organizations from eligibility.

Operating Your US Account From Abroad

Time zone coordination affects customer service with Mercury and Revolut providing 24/7 online access but support operating during US business hours. Email support responds within 24 hours regardless of time zones. Transaction processing follows US schedules where ACH transfers initiated Friday European time process Monday or Tuesday US time.

Multi-currency accounts let you invoice European customers in euros and receive payment without immediate conversion. Convert when exchange rates favor you rather than being forced to convert on receipt. Integration with QuickBooks Online and Xero auto-imports and reconciles transactions across time zones.

Mobile apps provide full banking access for approving payments, reviewing transactions, and managing settings. Use VPNs on public wifi and enable two-factor authentication for security. Banks monitor login locations and may flag geographic changes as fraud, so notify them when traveling internationally.

Understanding FDIC Insurance Protection

FDIC insurance through partner banks provides identical protection to direct bank accounts. Your funds are held by Choice Financial Group or Lead Bank, not Mercury or Revolut directly. The FDIC has protected depositors through over 500 bank failures since 2008.

The $250,000 limit applies per depositor, per bank. Split deposits between Mercury and Revolut to double coverage to $500,000. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency supervises partner banks with same oversight as traditional institutions.

Start Your US Banking Journey

Opening a US bank account as an international founder doesn’t require US citizenship or in-person visits when you choose the right banking partner. Mercury and Revolut provide FDIC-insured accounts specifically designed for remote businesses entering the American market. The key to approval lies in proper preparation with your entity formation, documentation, and business address arranged before starting applications.

Traditional banking restrictions that once blocked international founders have created opportunities for fintech solutions that better serve global entrepreneurs. Understanding documentation requirements, choosing between Mercury and Revolut based on your operational needs, and avoiding common rejection mistakes streamlines the entire process. Foothold America’s Virtual Office Service provides verified commercial addresses that satisfy bank requirements while our entity setup services ensure your incorporation meets all banking prerequisites.

Focus on completing your US entity formation, securing proper documentation, and choosing the banking partner that aligns with your business model. With correct preparation, most applications receive approval within 24 hours to five business days. Start with entity formation, move to banking, then scale your US operations with the infrastructure needed for sustainable growth in the American market.