Navigating Bank Accounts in the USA: My Experience with Major Banks

Recently, I received my last bank card from Bank of America, completing my journey with the three major banks in the USA: BOA, Chase, and Citi. My approach to opening these accounts was not only time-efficient but also allowed me to earn some substantial sign-up bonuses 🏆. I wanted to share my experience to help others who might be considering banking options in the United States!

Starting in San Francisco’s Chinatown

I landed in San Francisco and spent half a day exploring Chinatown while handling my banking needs. Chinatown is a remarkable place 🌟! All three major banks have branches located close to each other, and because it’s in Chinatown, the staff can speak Chinese. This made things incredibly convenient!

Step-by-Step Banking Journey

1. Opening an Account with Citi

First, we headed to Chase to get a number since it was the busiest and we couldn’t start our application immediately. After that, we walked over to Citi 😊. The customer service representative was incredibly helpful. No Social Security Number (SSN) was required, and we completed the account setup in just one hour. I received a sign-up bonus of $325 🔪 by meeting an Enhanced Direct Deposit requirement of $3,000.

2. Next Stop: Bank of America

We then went to BOA, which had the fastest service among the three. In just half an hour, we opened our account and made a deposit of $25 🔪, earning a bonus of $300 🔪 by fulfilling a $2,000 direct deposit requirement. While they offer credit cards with rewards, I decided not to apply since my spending capability wasn’t high enough. However, I did experience a delay with the card delivery, taking 20 days, and they even lost it once along the way 😱.

3. Finally, Chase Bank

We concluded our journey at Chase. Though I didn’t get a customer service representative who spoke Chinese, I managed to understand everything 👌. Chase truly stands out in the industry with its excellent environment and attentive staff 😄. I ended up with both a debit and a credit card, receiving rewards of $300 🔪 and $200 🔪, respectively. The debit card required a direct deposit exceeding $500 🔪, while the credit card needed a total spend of $500 🔪 for the bonus. Just a note: to unlock the Chase rewards, you need a referral, so feel free to reach out to me if you’re interested!

Final Thoughts

Overall, this banking adventure took just half a day 🤗, which saved me a lot of time and effort. I hope my experience helps anyone looking to navigate banking options in the USA, especially in major cities. Happy banking! #Banking #Chase #Savings