Steps required to open bank and poker accounts in Canada - Page 9 - High Stakes Poker Pot Limit and No Limit

Cafe Noir · 04-25-2011, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePreacherJesse

enjoy the snow!

warning though, from what ive heard from star reps, they have all kinds of fun stuff planned to "verify your location". one of the things i heard is going to be pretty funny, its like something out of a game show.

Any verification on whether someone's actually had to call from the pay phone at the Burger King or anything?

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonKeebles

If you continue to run into trouble, let me know and I can try and arrange something through my branch.

Don, I would like to arrange something through your branch. I'm currently banking with RBC and haven't done any large withdrawals through poker. It seems RBC isn't too keen on processing gambling transactions, however, and I should probably find a different bank. I would have PMed you, however it seems I can't.

timotinbowen · 04-26-2011, 08:00 AM

Hey guys, I'm looking at making the move to Canada.

Could I simply drive to the border with ID/Passport, tell the customs agents that I am coming across for a few month vacation (having a fake itinerary ready), and have 6 months before I have to leave?

Could I then get a room at an extended stay hotel, and use those details for residence requirements, go open a Canadian checking account with $1000 in it, and be ready to play?

DonKeebles · 04-26-2011, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmilyToo

DonKeebles -

Thanks for offering to help. I contacted 4 different banks in Montreal today and was told no accounts for non-residents (and residents = people w/ Canadian government issued paperwork) - as I mentioned in another thread - http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/57...l#post26259172

I said I was in Montreal for the summer. No mention of poker or anything else weird, and they did not make it seem as though they had any leeway, very much told just policy only to open non-resident account for student or Work visa holders, or if you own property in Canada.

Is this just a matter of these big banks not wanting to go to the trouble of opening an account for tourists/travelers that they assume will have low balances, or is this an actual government rule that says banks can no longer open accounts for US citizens without Canadian paperwork?

If it's the former, how do you suggest I go about finding a bank that might be more friendly? Not finding much of any info about it online, and so far striking out with just trying banks.

Thanks!

Unfortunate but likely a few employees who have their own idea of what the rules are. I checked with a couple colleagues at another two of the big 5 banks in Canada and they confirmed accounts for non-residents were still easy and simple to open with the ID requirements I mentioned above. So Scotiabank, BMO and TD all currently allow the accounts.

If you continue to have trouble, drop me a PM with what banks you were trying and I can ask around.

EmilyToo · 04-26-2011, 11:16 AM

Hey Don-

I don't have PMing privileges yet, do you mind emailing me at genericemailaddy4me @ yahoo.com and I can reply to you that way. Thanks.

king10clubs87 · 04-26-2011, 01:57 PM

I just got off the phone with a Scotiabank branch in Vancouver. I told the manager that I will be visiting Vancouver for 3-6 months a year and that I will be renting an apartment. I am an american citizen currently in between career changes. He basically told me they need to know why I have to open an account when banks like bankofamerica allow you to access your funds in Canada. They also need to know the source of where the funds will be coming from. He said when it comes to American citizens its at their discretion whether to allow them to open an acount or not. If american banks allow you to access your funds in Canada than not really sure of a legit answer as to why I need to open a Canadian bank account when I am just a visitor. Any suggestions? Seems like this is gonna be pretty tough.

DonKeebles · 04-26-2011, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by king10clubs87

I just got off the phone with a Scotiabank branch in Vancouver. I told the manager that I will be visiting Vancouver for 3-6 months a year and that I will be renting an apartment. I am an american citizen currently in between career changes. He basically told me they need to know why I have to open an account when banks like bankofamerica allow you to access your funds in Canada. They also need to know the source of where the funds will be coming from. He said when it comes to American citizens its at their discretion whether to allow them to open an acount or not. If american banks allow you to access your funds in Canada than not really sure of a legit answer as to why I need to open a Canadian bank account when I am just a visitor. Any suggestions? Seems like this is gonna be pretty tough.

jsnipes had it perfect for what you need to say.

Quote:

Thanks for the informative post. As an American opening a checking account in Canada is there anything I should or should not say if I am asked why I want an account there. Is something as simple as, "I plan on traveling a lot here and want to avoid all the foreign transaction fees that my American CC's charge," an appropriate response?

You can also mention BofA charges high rates for using Canadian ATMs or debit card purchases while in Canada along with currecny conversion fees.

insidemanpoker · 04-26-2011, 04:23 PM

Does anyone here worry that once they open the bank and try to use it for poker transactions that they may somehow see it, not like it, and decide to shut your account?

LT22 · 04-26-2011, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by insidemanpoker

Does anyone here worry that once they open the bank and try to use it for poker transactions that they may somehow see it, not like it, and decide to shut your account?

this could definitely happen, especially if there is a mass exodus of US players to Canada

EmilyToo · 04-26-2011, 08:05 PM

OK, was successful today opening account. Went to smaller chain (vs. huge international bank), in more neighborhood location. US passport and drivers license, local address were given and account was OKd no problem. So I guess the inconsistency from bank to bank and branch to branch is true. Also this time called to made an appt to open account, whereas previously just walked in, think it helped credibility to make the appt. Good luck to others!

krazymonkey3 · 04-29-2011, 01:39 AM

I'm moving to Vancouver next week.. anybody else there and have sucessfully relocated?

krazymonkey3 · 04-29-2011, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmilyToo

OK, was successful today opening account. Went to smaller chain (vs. huge international bank), in more neighborhood location. US passport and drivers license, local address were given and account was OKd no problem. So I guess the inconsistency from bank to bank and branch to branch is true. Also this time called to made an appt to open account, whereas previously just walked in, think it helped credibility to make the appt. Good luck to others!

Which bank did you go to? A canadian bank?

AEPpoker · 04-29-2011, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krazymonkey3

I'm thinking as long as you are going to pay US taxes with those winnings, then it should be fine. Cause afterall, you are paying the bank fees and have become a customer to them.

not nec true.... having US customers is a big pita to banks in other countries... if they decide youre going to do something to piss the US off, they wont want you.

krazymonkey3 · 04-29-2011, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LT22

this could definitely happen, especially if there is a mass exodus of US players to Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by king10clubs87

I just got off the phone with a Scotiabank branch in Vancouver. I told the manager that I will be visiting Vancouver for 3-6 months a year and that I will be renting an apartment. I am an american citizen currently in between career changes. He basically told me they need to know why I have to open an account when banks like bankofamerica allow you to access your funds in Canada. They also need to know the source of where the funds will be coming from. He said when it comes to American citizens its at their discretion whether to allow them to open an acount or not. If american banks allow you to access your funds in Canada than not really sure of a legit answer as to why I need to open a Canadian bank account when I am just a visitor. Any suggestions? Seems like this is gonna be pretty tough.

Hey Kingclubs...
I'm moving to Vancouver next wed. I was informed that opening a bank account there should be no problem. Now I'm sure they will ask you why? ..I was going to say, " I'm staying in this country for many months, and might need to have my parents wire me money from time to time" .. Not sure if this will work. But I'm thinking, what does it matter to them why i open a account. I'm going to be paying there bank fees and there going to make money off of me". What part of Vancouver you staying in , maybe we should hook up with all the US poker players there and have a drink sometime!

krazymonkey3 · 04-29-2011, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AEPpoker

not nec true.... having US customers is a big pita to banks in other countries... if they decide youre going to do something to piss the US off, they wont want you.

But what am I exactly doing to piss of the US. Playing online poker while pay the taxes is absolutely legal and thats what US wants. Since the US is preventing me from playing online poker here, i'm gonna do whatever it takes to play elsewhere. Remember they busted Stars and Tilt for illegal money processing, not for online poker. My plan is to play poker in Vancouver for 5 months..and hoping poker will be back up and running in the US.

AEPpoker · 04-29-2011, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krazymonkey3

But what am I exactly doing to piss of the US. Playing online poker while pay the taxes is absolutely legal and thats what US wants. Since the US is preventing me from playing online poker here, i'm gonna do whatever it takes to play elsewhere. Remember they busted Stars and Tilt for illegal money processing, not for online poker. My plan is to play poker in Vancouver for 5 months..and hoping poker will be back up and running in the US.

well, tax evasion is obv the biggest concern... and im sure the gaming part is a concern as well.