What Do I Need To Open A Personal Bank Account?

To open a personal bank account, you need a government-issued ID, some basic information, and a small deposit to get started.

Opening a personal bank account at any bank will require some government-mandated pieces of information. This is true whether you visit the branch office just down the street or apply for a new, online bank account. Having the proper information and records ready beforehand will make a relatively painless process even easier.

Be Ready to Share Some Personal Information

Banks like First Palmetto Bank are required to obtain certain information by the U.S. government. However, banks also require important information for you to be able to use your personal account safely and securely. Some of this information is used to confirm your identity and the remainder is used to service your account.

Personal information that you will need to open an account includes:

• Your Name
• Your Identification Number (Social Security Number[SSN], Tax Identification Number[TIN], etc.)
• Your date of birth (DOB)
• A current, physical address*

* While you can provide a mailing address for the account to receive statements, federal law requires a street address.

Bring a Government-Issued ID

Make sure to bring your original, government-issued photo identification with you. This can be a driver’s license, other state-issued ID, or a passport. Identity verification is a federal requirement to ensure the overall safety of your information.

An Initial Deposit

Depending on the type of account, a smaller, initial deposit may be needed to open the account. A larger balance may be required to earn interest or avoid monthly maintenance charges that add up. It is always a good idea to review your accounts terms carefully. Often, you may want to start with a smaller balance such as with a savings account that you will schedule a monthly deposit to get ready for that big expense on the horizon.

An In-Person Account Opening—What to Expect

Bringing the right information with you ensures that your account opening experience will be smooth. Having this information readily available will help speed up the process of getting your new account setup.

If you are ready to open an account with First Palmetto Bank, we recommend giving your local office a call to schedule an appointment. Once you arrive at the office with your information and government-issued ID, you can expect to sit down with a Customer Service Representative and complete the account opening process. We have convenient locations around the state of South Carolina ready to help you set up your next personal bank account.