Wells Fargo requiring US address?

We have a UK address on our Wells Fargo checking account, and just received an email saying they need a "valid primary residential address located within the United States". Has anyone else seen this? I could use a family member's US address, but I'm not sure of the implications of claiming I'm a resident of a given state.


Deposit account holders must now provide a valid U.S. address
What is happening
Wells Fargo now requires that all consumer deposit customers provide a valid primary residential address located within the United States or its territories. Your deposit account ending in XXXX currently has one or more account holders with a non-U.S. address on file, which does not meet our new requirements.
If your primary residential address is located within the United States or its territories, please sign on to Update Contact Information to change your home/permanent address or call us at the number below. If the account has multiple owners, you must inform each person to take action independently to update their address as well.

That is a revolting development.  It is certainly not a legal requirement for US bank customers to be resident in the country so this must just be a Wells Fargo requirement.

If you are stuck out of country it is going to be difficult to open an account with any US bank now.

When we moved to England we changed our street address with Vanguard to our UK address but put our correspondence address to that of our daughter in California.  A year or 2 later California IRS came after us for taxes and I had to prove that we were not CA residents and why.  I then changed the correspondence address to our UK address. - I mention this only to highlight your concern about possible State tax consequences.

There was a topic raised about this a while back, may even have been regarding Wells Fargo. On my bank, there is a residential address and mailing address section. The residential remains in the U.S., (no tax state) ,while mailing is to the U.K. Perhaps Wells Fargo has this ability too?
Otherwise there may only be two options with regards Wells Fargo.
There is only one U.S. bank that will open accounts for non residence as far as I know

Their website doesn't seem to indicate that you have to be a US resident to have a checking account.

I just went through the initial process of opening a checking account to see what is needed, and under primary id is something to prove citizenship or residence in a foreign country.  Maybe their website has not caught up with their new policy?

https://www.wellsfargo.com/checking/

Other ID that proves citizenship or residence in a foreign country

Their website doesn't seem to indicate that you have to be a US resident to have a checking account.

I just went through the initial process of opening a checking account to see what is needed, and under primary id is something to prove citizenship or residence in a foreign country.  Maybe their website has not caught up with their new policy?

https://www.wellsfargo.com/checking/

I've noticed that WF is struggling with handling non-USA addresses, so I wonder if it's cheaper to close international accounts than to update the systems.

I checked the "update address" page and they ask for both a "Home/Permanent Address" and a "Mailing Address".

I might move things over to use a Wise account, though I hate to lose the WF account.

I've noticed that WF is struggling with handling non-USA addresses, so I wonder if it's cheaper to close international accounts than to update the systems.

I checked the "update address" page and they ask for both a "Home/Permanent Address" and a "Mailing Address".

I might move things over to use a Wise account, though I hate to lose the WF account.

I would open a Wise account in preparation in case you can’t get the WF account sorted and are told to move your money.  The Wise account doesn’t have the same insurance protection as a US bank and I only use my Wise account as a pass through account to my UK bank. Of course I think the chances of losing  the money in your Wise account is very slim.

I think we are going to see the same "problem" in the UK soon  .. Recently had a "Please can you check we have the correct information" letter from my UK bank (Santander) when I logged in online,  which was asking mainly about address and phone number updates, but also had a section on citizenship. Never seen that before. Will be interesting to see what happens when my wife gets her update a she is a dual national and will say that she is. We've been with the bank for years and this is the first time I've seen any sort of interest in nationality

I left the US 10 years ago. WF told me they wouldn’t accept my U.K. address. I didn’t know what to do at the time, so used my son and ex husband’s address in California, with their permission. I never had any problems (a bit of a faff when new cards arrived) but felt uneasy about the lie. I have recently closed it as Wise has been working fine for any  IRS and Fidelity transactions, which is all I need. 

I think we are going to see the same "problem" in the UK soon  .. Recently had a "Please can you check we have the correct information" letter from my UK bank (Santander) when I logged in online,  which was asking mainly about address and phone number updates, but also had a section on citizenship. Never seen that before. Will be interesting to see what happens when my wife gets her update a she is a dual national and will say that she is. We've been with the bank for years and this is the first time I've seen any sort of interest in nationality

The citizenship question is part of FATCA compliance. I would check online  now that Santander accept US citizens so that if they don’t you can prepare for that now. Otherwise when they discover that she is a USC they will ask her to complete a W9 so that they can begin reporting her status and interest income to the IRS. (We have both been through this with HSBC)

For those who prefer 'bricks & mortar'.

https://www.sdfcu.org/

For those who prefer 'bricks & mortar'.

https://www.sdfcu.org/

Cool, is this the bank you hinted at above where you can open an account from overseas? That would certainly solve the OP’s problem.

Cool, is this the bank you hinted at above where you can open an account from overseas? That would certainly solve the OP’s problem.

It is... You need to by default open a savings account, so a pain if you don't file an SA. Also, you need to be a member of an organisation listed. All legit though, with a debit card, sent to your U.K address.

It is... You need to by default open a savings account, so a pain if you don't file an SA. Also, you need to be a member of an organisation listed. All legit though, with a debit card, sent to your U.K address.

It looks like you need to be a US resident or am I missing something?

https://www.sdfcu.org/sites/default/files/pdf/required-docs/Loan_Documents.pdf

Documents Needed for your Membership Application
IMPORTANT ACCOUNT OPENING INFORMATION: As part of the account verification process, Federal law requires us to obtain sufficient information to verify your identity. You may be asked several questions and to provide one or more forms of identification to fulfill this requirement. We may also use outside sources to confirm the information furnished. Your information is protected by our privacy policy and federal law.
Proof of Identity
• State issued Driver’s License
• State issued Identification Card
• U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card
• U.S. Alien Registration Card
Proof of Social Security Number
Social Security Number must show the full nine-digit.
• Social Security Card
• Form SSA-1099
Proof of Date of Birth:
• State issued Driver’s License
• State issued Identification Card
• Original or certified copy of Birth Certificate
• U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card
• Valid Foreign Passport (for joint members only)
Proof of Residency
• Deed/Deed of Trust
• Mortgage statement (no more than 60 days old)
• Real Estate Property Tax bill or Tax Assessment (current year)
• Valid residential rental/lease agreement
• Utility bill showing the same mailing and service address (no more than 60 days old)
o Acceptable utility bill - water, electric, gas, cable and landline phone bill
• Change of Address Card with a valid State issued Driver’s License or Identification card issued by the same
agency

It looks like you need to be a US resident or am I missing something?

By going via the ACA site. I think you can also be a life member of the American Consumer Council. From memory something like $15 for life membership to the council.

https://www.americansabroad.org/aca/sdfcuaccounts-description-and-faqs/

Taken from SDFCU website:

Joining
Can I join SDFCU online?
What information is needed to join?
Can I open a SDFCU account if I live abroad?
Yes, SDFCU is one of the few credit unions in the United States which accepts members who live outside the country. SDFCU and American Citizens Abroad (ACA) have partnered to provide ACA members with a US Banking solution. ACA qualifies as an approved affiliate for SDFCU. Learn more by visiting the ACA SDFCU Account FAQ’s.

By going via the ACA site. I think you can also be a life member of the American Consumer Council. From memory something like $15 for life membership to the council.

https://www.americansabroad.org/aca/sdfcuaccounts-description-and-faqs/

Taken from SDFCU website:

Joining
Can I join SDFCU online?
What information is needed to join?
Can I open a SDFCU account if I live abroad?
Yes, SDFCU is one of the few credit unions in the United States which accepts members who live outside the country. SDFCU and American Citizens Abroad (ACA) have partnered to provide ACA members with a US Banking solution. ACA qualifies as an approved affiliate for SDFCU. Learn more by visiting the ACA SDFCU Account FAQ’s.

Gotcha.