US Bank Account Setup
Market Express coordinates US business bank account setup for foreign vendors through banking partners like Mercury and Relay. Open accounts remotely without visiting the US.
Why Foreign Vendors Need a US Bank Account
- Accept USD payments from US customers without conversion fees
- Required for payment processor accounts (Stripe, PayPal, Square)
- Needed for Amazon Seller Central and other marketplace payouts
- Build US business credit history with transactions
- Pay US suppliers and contractors in USD
- Separates business finances from personal accounts
- Access to US banking features (ACH, wire transfers, checks)
- Lower international transaction fees compared to foreign banks
What's Required to Open an Account
Nevada LLC Documents
Certificate of Formation and Articles of Organization from Nevada Secretary of State
EIN from IRS
Employer Identification Number (9-digit tax ID issued by IRS)
Responsible Party Identification
Passport and proof of address for beneficial owner (no SSN/ITIN required with most partners)
Business Description
Clear explanation of business activities, expected revenue, and transaction volume
Recommended Banking Partners
Mercury
Popular choice for foreign-owned LLCs. Fully remote application. No minimum balance. FDIC insured.
- 100% online application
- No monthly fees
- Debit card included
- Foreign founder friendly
Relay
Alternative option with multiple account types. Good for businesses needing sub-accounts. FDIC insured.
- Up to 20 checking accounts
- No monthly fees
- Debit cards for each account
- Accepts foreign owners
Typical Timeline
- Document Submission: 1 day (after LLC and EIN are ready)
- Bank Review: 3-7 business days for application review
- Account Approval: Same day or next business day after review
- Debit Card Delivery: 7-10 business days (shipped to registered agent address)
Total: 1-2 weeks from document submission to active account
Important Information
- No US Visit Required: Entire process can be completed remotely from your home country
- No SSN/ITIN Required: Most banking partners accept passport as primary ID for foreign founders
- FDIC Insured: Deposits insured up to $250,000 per depositor by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
- Foreign Transaction Reporting: You may need to report the account to your home country tax authority (e.g., FBAR for some jurisdictions)
- Account Maintenance: Keep account active with regular transactions. Dormant accounts may be closed.
What You Get With Your US Bank Account
Banking Features
- • Business checking account in USD
- • Physical debit card (Mastercard/Visa)
- • Virtual debit cards
- • ACH transfers (domestic)
- • Wire transfers (domestic & international)
- • Check writing (if needed)
Online Banking
- • Web dashboard for account management
- • Mobile app (iOS & Android)
- • Real-time transaction notifications
- • Monthly statements (electronic)
- • Integration with accounting software
- • API access (some banks)
Security Features
- • Two-factor authentication (2FA)
- • Fraud monitoring
- • Zero liability for unauthorized charges
- • Secure message center
Business Benefits
- • Build US credit history
- • US mailing address (via registered agent)
- • Routing number for direct deposits
- • ACH for supplier payments
Ready to Open Your US Bank Account?
Foreign vendor membership includes coordination of Nevada LLC formation, EIN acquisition, and US bank account setup with our banking partners.