US bank accounts for foreign-owned LLCs: what banks ask for
Opening a US business bank account for an LLC with owners abroad? What banks and fintechs ask for, why files get declined, and how to keep the account open.
A US LLC is easy to form from anywhere. A US bank account for it is not. Branches that used to open accounts for owners abroad have pulled back, fintech accounts close with little warning, and a single mismatch in the file is enough for a decline.
The short answer: a foreign-owned US LLC can get a US business account, through a fintech that opens remotely or a bank with a program for owners abroad. What decides it is the file: formation and ownership documents, the owners’ identity and home address, a website and business description that match, a documented source for the opening funds, and a clear picture of how money will move through the account.
Why it got harder
Banks carry the anti-money-laundering risk for every account they open. An LLC with no US owners, no US operating history and money arriving from abroad sits at the top of their review list, and many branches now open accounts only for owners who can appear in person. The banks that still say yes want a complete, consistent file before they look at it.
Fintech account or bank account
- Fintech accounts open remotely and quickly, with ACH, cards and online banking. Wires, international wires especially, vary by provider, and accounts can be closed after an automated review with little explanation.
- Bank accounts bring wires, stability and a relationship. They ask for more documentation, sometimes a visit or a video call, and a clear business purpose.
Many companies run both: a fintech account for day-to-day payments and a bank account for wires and reserves.
What banks ask for
- Articles of Organization and the EIN confirmation letter (CP 575 or 147C)
- The Operating Agreement and an ownership chart down to every individual with 25 percent or more
- Passports for the owners and signers, and proof of home address dated within the last 90 days
- The business address, and an explanation if it is a registered agent or virtual office
- A description of the business, the website, and sample contracts or invoices
- Expected monthly deposits and withdrawals, wire countries and main counterparties
- The source of the opening deposit and of the owners’ funds
- A US ITIN, if one has been issued
The website test
Banks open the website before they read the rest of the file. If the site describes a different business from the application, or looks like a template with no real company behind it, the file stops there. Fix the site first, so the products or services, the company name, the contact details and the policies all match what the application says.
Source of funds
Expect to show where the opening deposit comes from: owner savings, a parent company, or client payments under signed contracts. Round transfers from accounts in third countries with no documents behind them are the most common reason a good file stalls.
Keeping the account open
Opening is half of it. Accounts held by companies with owners abroad get reviewed again, especially when wires arrive.
- Answer the bank’s questions quickly and completely
- Keep the contract or invoice behind every large wire
- Keep the activity in line with what the application described
- Tell the bank before volumes or countries change
If you also need to take card payments, the bank account comes first. Card underwriting reads bank statements, and our guide to moving stores onto a new US LLC covers what comes next.
Where Epitychia fits
We prepare the banking file for US companies with owners abroad and present it to banking partners that open these accounts, alongside the merchant account if you need one. Each bank makes its own decision, and we say so up front. See our cross-border practice or book a strategy call.
Frequently asked questions
Can a non-US resident open a US business bank account for an LLC?
Yes. Fintechs open remotely, and some banks have programs for owners abroad. The file has to be complete and consistent.
Do I need an SSN or ITIN?
Not for most accounts. Passports and the company’s EIN are the core; an ITIN helps where one exists.
Do I have to visit the US?
Not always. Fintechs and some banks open remotely. Others require a visit or a video call.
Why was my application declined?
Usually a mismatch: a website that does not match the business, an address that cannot be verified, or funds without a documented source.
How long does it take?
Fintechs can open in days. Bank accounts commonly take two to six weeks, depending on how complete the file is.
