Bank of the west savings

Question 1

How to check a bank account number?

Answer

You can contact your bank and, having provided documents confirming your identity, ask them for the data you are interested in. What to do if you need the data urgently or if you don't want to go anywhere or can't. You can practice a much simpler and faster way and check everything in the online banking or bank's app. To do this, start the app and go to your account. Then open the extended details of your account. All the key info is lying there.

Question 2

At what age you can open a bank account?

Answer

The generally accepted age for opening a bank account would be 18 years old. If you need to open it earlier, there is an option of creating a joint account with your parents or with other legally responsible people, such as guardians. But in this case, the other half of the card owners can see your transactions and also use the card. Some minors might not like it, but there is no other choice. A loophole would be for those who are legally emancipated from their parents. Only this category of teenagers can get a bank account.

Question 3

How to check my bank account balance online?

Answer

The high-tech age does not require us to leave our homes or even call someone for important information. Even if you do not use any of your accounts, it is essential to check their status. This will not only help you know where you are but will also help track down fraudulent transactions. The easiest and fastest method to do this is online. Log in to your online banking applying your original login and password, and find out your balance there. But still, the best way would be to handle the bank's app. Download it to the gadget so that you have access to all the data at any time and anywhere. All you require is access to wi-fi or mobile internet to review the balance.

Question 4

How to add a beneficiary to a bank account?

Answer

You can add a beneficiary to your account. This can be useful in many situations, such as simplifying and speeding up the probate process. To do this, you require to visit your bank branch and provide them with the necessary documents and an application. The most reliable option would be to clarify the list of documents in the support service. Usually, the package of documents involves your ID, information about the beneficiary, or their document. And of course, you must know your account details. The process itself is pretty fast. You can check with your bank, and perhaps they also allow you to do this through the application. In this case, the process will be even easier and faster.

Question 5

How to put cash into your bank account?

Answer

The most commonly used way of putting money into a bank account is the usage of ATMs. This method is preferable because there are several ATMs in every city where you can deposit money to the bank account, Western Union, PayPal� , and other financial platforms. If you want to put cash on your account personally, you should visit the closest office of your bank and bring a deposit slip. It is a special form that allows workers of the bank to know some details about your account and the sum you want to transfer. Write this data on the deposit slip correctly because otherwise, your cash will be deposited to the bank account of another person.

Question 6

How to unfreeze a bank account?

Answer

Your first step is to find out why the bank froze your account and what is your following plan of action. If you have an unpaid debt, the credit company can withdraw the money from your account or take the remaining funds. If you are in such a situation, file for bankruptcy as soon as possible. However, if you can pay this debt, it is better to pay the required amount to handle the problem. In both cases, your bank account will be unfrozen again after you pay all the money you owe. If suspicious frauds are committed using your card, and the bank has decided to freeze it, you should contact find out what the problem is. Most often, it is enough just to confirm your card is safe.

Question 7

What is an escrow account in banking?

Answer

An escrow account is a comprehensive tool for those who own real property and who are constantly making payments on it. This is an easy means to manage insurance fees and estate taxes for your house. You do not have to save for them separately. The process is as follows: you carry the total set monthly fee, and part of it goes into your escrow account to pay homeowners insurance, taxes, and other expenses related to owning a house. Another part is going toward your title to pay your interest and principal. When the time comes, the bank will use the money to pay your bills. The main advantage of this method is the regularly saving of money. That is, you do not require to try to find the entire amount at a time, but there is time to prepare for payments.

Question 8

What does it mean to freeze assets and bank accounts?

Answer

It means that your bank account and all the money on it have been frozen by the bank. This happens when some shady activity has been discovered on your account. For example, if you made any fake checks or have a great deal of unpaid taxes. You typically cannot do any operations with this account. Depending on your case, restrictions can be held from 10 to 30 and more days. Not only can the bank freeze your account, but you can also do it by yourself. In cases when con men received access to your account, you can call your bank and ask to freeze it.

Question 9

How many banks can you have accounts with?

Answer

There is no existing limit for you in the number of banks, as well as in the number of bank accounts. You can have as many as you wish or need. Another thing is that after a certain amount, banks can charge you a fee for having so many. That is why you need to put some thought into deciding how many is enough. The general number would be 4, where one pair is for general spendings, such as bills and everyday purchases, and another one is for savings. You’ll need a separate account for emergency conservations and for other means, such as investing or college funds.

Question 10

What is a bank account statement?

Answer

A bank statement is the list of all the transactions that the owner did for the previous month. It includes all operations made and also your balance at the beginning of the month and at its end. You can access your statement online on the website of your bank. Log in, find the page with electronic statements, choose the period and look at it on any of your devices, or download it as a PDF file.

Question 11

What do you need to open a bank account?

Answer

The first condition is that of age. Only those who reached 18 years old can open a bank account. Other necessities are just about your personal data, such as no less than two types of IDs, your passport, and the driver’s license will be enough. The next important document is the social security number. And of course, your name, current living address, and phone number are also necessary. Some banks might also require you to bring in an initial deposit, the minimum of which is specific for every bank. When opening a student checking account, proof of your educational status might also be asked of you.

Question 12

How to open a student bank account?

Answer

Opening a student bank account is not a complicated task. It requires just a few documents. Here’s what you need: any form of photo ID (either a passport or a driver’s license), any proof of address (bring your last utility bill or a monthly bank statement), a document proving that you are a student (any official correspondence from a particular university, student ID, etc.). Mind that most banks will ask you to submit original copies rather than photocopies. Visit a bank located near your house and ask the bank’s staff for assistance. Do not forget to give your new account details to your university.