Recommendations for US bank checking account for USC/UKC in the UK?

As noted in another thread, Wells Fargo is closing my US bank account because I have a UK address. Does anyone have a recommendation for a UK bank checking account? I'm dual USC/UKC.

My main reason for a US current account is to be able to cash USD checks, such as the IRS refund I'm hoping to get.

Thanks, Jonathan

As noted in another thread, Wells Fargo is closing my US bank account because I have a UK address. Does anyone have a recommendation for a UK bank checking account? I'm dual USC/UKC.

My main reason for a US current account is to be able to cash USD checks, such as the IRS refund I'm hoping to get.

Thanks, Jonathan

If you absolutely have to go down the physical check route then there are only two options as far as I can see.
https://sdfcu.org/ (mail the check to them)
Deposit at a local bank and pay the fee.

I know of no other U.S. based bank that will open an account for those outside the country. You could open an 'International' account with a High St bank, but wow what fees for just having the account!

As noted in another thread, Wells Fargo is closing my US bank account because I have a UK address. Does anyone have a recommendation for a UK bank checking account? I'm dual USC/UKC.

My main reason for a US current account is to be able to cash USD checks, such as the IRS refund I'm hoping to get.

Thanks, Jonathan

I always get my IRS refunds paid directly to my US bank account. Have done so as long as I can remember. I didn’t even know they would send physical checks to an overseas address.

A Wise account in USD does not seem to have a mobile check deposit unfortunately.

I think you can mail a check for deposit.

Although Wise is a digital-first bank account, it is lacking in terms of deposit functionality. Currently, the Wise app cannot accommodate mobile check deposit—meaning you either have to deposit checks at an in-network ATM or you can endorse your check and mail it to Wise's processing facility.13 Apr 2021

The NC DOR only sends a check for paper returns, and I couldn't find a way of doing an electronic return for a UK address. The other option is to make the check payable over to a US family member and have them deposit it, which I think will work.

The NC DOR only sends a check for paper returns, and I couldn't find a way of doing an electronic return for a UK address. The other option is to make the check payable over to a US family member and have them deposit it, which I think will work.

If they won’t do that you could always endorse the check and have the family member deposit it anyway.

If you get an SDFCU account, they have a smartphone app that allows you to photo physical checks and get them deposited.

This has been mentioned elsewhere in other threads but I would recommend an account with Wise (formerly TransferWise).  I use it to receive US payments (IRS and Social Security)and you can then transfer it to any regular UK bank account. For a small one off fee (£5) you can also get a Wise US$ debit card. Wise actually use Community Federal Savings Bank in New York as their partner bank - it comes with a US Routing number and account number accepted for receipts from the IRS and SSA.

I can't fault the service I have received from Wise - although they are technically not a bank.

Agree with the recommendations for Wise, but would just add that there are some UK banks who will take a USD cheque. I paid my stimulus checks into RBS. They negotiate the check and take a fee, I think around £15. For once a year it might be easier than opening a US account.

Noted - I bank with HSBC who charge £28 and give you a crap exchange rate - not known at the time of deposit - Wise rates are known at the time of conversion and 100% controllable by you.

Just tested, to have a backup US account - Navy Fed had no problem with my UK address. You have to be eligible (some kind of military/DoD association, or extended family member), but lots of people will have a grandparent or something like that who served.

Thanks for this - I'm a first generation USC (as I suspect are many) and so don't have multi generational history to fall back on!.

I'm sticking with my WISE account which has served me well so far. Glad I opted to have my US SS paid directly into WISE so that I can choose when to transfer funds into £ and lock in with an actual real-time exchange rate - especially with rates being as volatile as they have been over the last few weeks.   

Thanks for this - I'm a first generation USC (as I suspect are many) and so don't have multi generational history to fall back on!.

I'm sticking with my WISE account which has served me well so far. Glad I opted to have my US SS paid directly into WISE so that I can choose when to transfer funds into £ and lock in with an actual real-time exchange rate - especially with rates being as volatile as they have been over the last few weeks.   

My wife has drawing SS this last 18 months and the “increases” from the exchange rate have been very nice.

My wife has drawing SS this last 18 months and the “increases” from the exchange rate have been very nice.

My own preference is to keep receiving my SS payments directly into WISE and keeping them there in $ for a bit longer.

Many experts and those with more knowledge than me seem to think the pound has further to fall yet:

https://www.poundsterlinglive.com/usd/17582-pound-to-dollar-rate-going-below-parity-before-year-end-says-nomura

 

My own preference is to keep receiving my SS payments directly into WISE and keeping them there in $ for a bit longer.

Many experts and those with more knowledge than me seem to think the pound has further to fall yet:

https://www.poundsterlinglive.com/usd/17582-pound-to-dollar-rate-going-below-parity-before-year-end-says-nomura

I’m not smart enough to time the currency markets so I like to spread the risk. My wife’s SS goes directly to her UK account but I accumulate my US pension  in USD and transfer to GBP when I think the rates are particularly good.