Banking Services: The College at Brockport

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Once you get to Brockport and begin to settle into your first year of school, you will probably find that you want to open a bank account with a U.S. bank. It is possible to transfer or wire money, but establishing connections with a U.S. bank is integral to ensuring you have access to your money whenever you need it.

We advise that you make these connections prior to leaving home.

Banking Options

There are a lot of options when it comes to banking in the United States. With numerous banks to choose from, it is important to choose one in Brockport, as opposed to one located in New York City or another major U.S. city.

In order to transfer money to the U.S., you can instruct your bank to issue a foreign draft on a U.S. bank located in Brockport. It takes time for these drafts to clear, and different locations in the United States have different clearance times, which could result in a delay of up to three weeks before funds are available to you. That is why it is recommended to establish relations with a bank in Brockport. You will want to avoid any unnecessary delays in your finances upon arriving at school.

A few U.S. banks do have branches in foreign countries. If that bank is located in or near Brockport, this might be a good choice for you. If not, all large banks in the U.S. have what are called “correspondent” foreign banks with which they have established financial connections. In most countries you should be able to find a local bank that has a correspondent relationship with a U.S. bank in the Brockport area. A transfer of money from one correspondent bank to another requires obtaining a draft from the home bank and presenting it, with personal identification, to the U.S. bank.

Opening an account

In order to open a bank account in the United States, you will need to provide proof of identification. When you go to the bank to open the account, bring whatever funds you plan to deposit in the account as well as your passport to show proof of identification. You may also want to bring your I-20 form, your I-94 card and your student ID card from SUNY - Brockport.

All banks have different policies for opening new accounts and may ask for additional identification.

If you have any questions or need any assistance, feel free to contact the Office of International Student Services.

Last Updated 5/3/13