For U.S. citizens residing abroad, maintaining accounts with banking institutions in the United States provides a variety of personal financial advantages. Even when residing in a different country, many expats still want the ability to access and manage their U.S.-based funds, receive Social Security benefits, maintain U.S. credit, and much more.
Through our partnership with the American Citizens Abroad (ACA), we offer American expats a variety of traditional and digital banking services, with many attractive checking and savings account choices. We also have secure and convenient ways to manage direct deposits and benefit payments.
Here are 6 top reasons why U.S. citizens living or planning to reside abroad should bank with SDFCU.
1. Open your new SDFCU account using a foreign address
Are you relocating to a new country, or currently living overseas? You can use a foreign address to open your SDFCU account. Many banking institutions require customers to provide a U.S. residential address to open an account. This makes it difficult for Americans living abroad.
2. No minimum balance and no monthly fees
Each of our checking account options are truly free checking with no minimum balance requirements and no monthly fees. Select SDFCU checking accounts also provide partial reimbursement of ATM/foreign transaction fees.
With SDFCU, you can use a foreign address to open your account as long as it is your residential address where you live.
3. Members living abroad can use their SDFCU account to:
- Receive social security or other U.S.-based pension and/or deposits into their SDFCU accounts electronically
- Pay tuition at a U.S. colleges/universities electronically from their SDFCU Checking Account
- Have payments withdrawn electronically from checking
- Use an SDFCU debit card to make payments online
- Electronically make payments to other U.S. institutions and merchants
4. Transfer funds from your SDFCU account to your foreign bank account
We have a SWIFT code to allow expats to conduct international transactions such as wire transfers to and from your SDFCU account. Our fee is very low by industry standards to wire funds to a foreign bank, and SDFCU does not charge a fee to process incoming wires from a foreign bank.
5. Use our online and mobile banking services outside the U.S.
Online banking and the mobile app are available once you open your SDFCU account. You can access online banking via the SDFCU website and/or you can download the SDFCU mobile app. Checks can be deposited using the mobile app, or by using online banking.
If using a smartphone, tablet, or a computer with a camera, you can capture the image within the application using the camera. If using a computer laptop without a camera, you can capture the image using a scanner.
If you live in a country that does not offer the SDFCU mobile app in the app store, you can access all the same services by utilizing Online banking on your phone.
6. Schedule a virtual branch meeting
Virtual meeting channels are available to all SDFCU members Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST. An SDFCU representative can meet with you by video at your current location. Visit our virtual lobby service, fill-out our quick form, and join the queue. Overseas members will need to make international time zone adjustments to U.S. Eastern Standard Time.
Join SDFCU and stay connected. Let us help you navigate and manage your personal finance commitments both here and abroad.
Visit the ACA's Frequently Asked Questions for additional information about the required documentation needed when applying for an SDFCU account online while living overseas.
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