First security bank roundup

Question 1

How to get old bank statements from a closed account?

Answer

If you have to refer to the list of transactions from your closed bank account for any reason, you may rest assured that it is possible even after a significant amount of time has passed. However, keep in mind that most banks keep your statements for five years and are not required to hold on to them for a longer period of time. We recommend requesting statements from an account closed within the last five years. Otherwise, you may face a more time-consuming procedure and exorbitant fees. The most convenient way to receive your statements is to access them online. You can view and print them right away without being charged a fee. If your closed account is too old to access it via the app or the website, you can contact your bank over the phone or visit the office in person. The bank staff may ask you to prove your identity and provide the required information about your bank account.

Question 2

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.

Question 3

How to add a beneficiary to a bank account?

Answer

Some banks provide an opportunity to add beneficiaries to the bank account through a mobile app, but the most common way to do it is to visit the bank office personally. This process is quick and does not require any special documents from you. Your ID, data about the bank account, the contract concluded between you and the bank, personal information about the beneficiary. The beneficiary doesn’t need to visit the bank office in this case. Also, this procedure will legally bind transactions of your funds after the death to the beneficiary and make the probate process easier and faster.

Question 4

How to open a bank account for a minor?

Answer

As a rule, banks do not allow minors to create a bank account without an adult’s involvement. In most cases, a joint owner is represented by the child’s parent or guardian. Once you have decided to develop the kid’s financial habits, specify the exact procedure you need to go through. Some banks will require visiting a local branch in person; others (modern ones) will ask you to install their app and fill out an online application form. You will have to prepare a documentation package including your SSN, driver’s license (or passport), your child’s birth certificate, or school ID (contact a bank representative over the phone for more precise information). In most cases, after you complete the application process, you have to deposit a certain amount of money into the new account. If it is not a custodial account and the kid has access to it, the bank will issue a card that the child can use to make purchases and manage funds at an ATM.

Question 5

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 6

What do i do if my bank account is negative?

Answer

I believe that most people have experienced this problem when you forget the balance of your bank account, buy something and suddenly find yourself with a negative account. So what to do in this situation? Firstly you have to stop using your account because otherwise, bank fees will only grow. The second step is to transfer money to the account to make it positive. Here you can use your savings account or bring cash to the bank. Also, it is worth talking to a bank manager because some banks wave fees for the first overdraft.

Question 7

How to unfreeze bank accounts?

Answer

Perhaps the most unpleasant case is the situation when the bank account is frozen. Unfortunately, this phenomenon is frequent, and usually, the bank freezes the account if you do not pay debts or taxes. A frozen account means one thing - you will no longer be able to use the card, pay for goods and services, or transfer money to another account. However, there are several ways to unfreeze a bank account. Firstly, make sure that the bank did not freeze the account by mistake. If, however, the bank has frozen the account accidentally, contact the support service and request that the account be unfrozen. The second method is to delete the judgment within ten days. You must submit an application stating the reasons why the account may be unfrozen. Also, filing for bankruptcy is another solution for unfreezing an account, and, as a rule, it may negatively affect your reputation. Finally, such issues must be resolved through the bank and preferably as soon as possible.

Question 8

What documentation do i need to open a bank account?

Answer

Before going into these details, you need to remember that only those 18 years old can create a bank account for themselves. Otherwise, a joint account with your parents is the way to go. In any case, name, current address, and phone number are the first things to be required. Then, two identification documents will be asked of you, as well as the social security number. If opening a student checking account, validation of your affiliation with a certain university will be needed. An additional criterion for some banks is a minimum initial deposit.

Question 9

How to transfer a gift card balance to bank account?

Answer

Unfortunately, it is not possible to withdraw or cash out the gift card. The purpose of a gift card is to allow people to choose and buy products from the shop. Of course, there are ways to cash out gift cards; first of all, you can sell them, but you have to take a small discount on the price, not sell them at face value, to interest the buyer. Gift cards can also be exchanged. Let's say you were gifted a card to a cosmetics shop and you need a tracksuit. Now a lot of online sites where you can make a sale or exchange. So feel free to try different options.

Question 10

What is a beneficiary on a bank account?

Answer

The beneficiary is the person on Payable on a Death or POD bank account. This means that when the owner passes away, his/her heir has a right to use his assets, but only after that. The recipient’s right become as if s/he is an owner, which means that all the transactions, such as deposits, withdrawals, and so on, are now available to him/her. It can also be very convenient if the person that died had any unpaid debts. In such cases, the beneficiary can pay them off with the bank account of the passed away one.

Question 11

How to send money to someone without a bank account?

Answer

Transferring money is possible nowadays even without bank accounts because there is still a massive group of people who do not have them. You can choose traditional ways of sending money through the post office using money orders. The fee for such transfers is smaller than 2$, and this way is much safer than sending cash. Also, several online platforms allow you to transfer money. However, you need to have a debit or credit card for some of them.

Question 12

What happens when a bank closes your account?

Answer

When closing a client’s account, the bank must return all the money from it to the owner. There are no existing reasons that can allow the bank to hold on to your money. They can only subtract the sum of your debts if these are present. You can also reopen your account after some time of inactivity on it or by paying your debts. If they noticed some unusual activity, which you are sure didn’t take place, ask them to reopen it again. The only time when you cannot reopen your account is when the bank is closing itself.