How to Open an American Express Bank Checking Account

You can open an American Express Bank checking account online in about 15 minutes, but you need to meet their requirements first

American Express Bank offers checking accounts directly to consumers through their website. The account opens entirely online — you do not visit a branch or mail anything in. The process takes roughly 15 minutes if your information is ready, and the account can be funded and used within one to two business days.

The catch is that American Express Bank has stricter requirements than most banks. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, at least 18 years old, and have a valid government ID. You also need a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you do not meet these requirements, you cannot open an account with them, and no workaround exists.

American Express Bank also runs a ChexSystems check on your banking history. ChexSystems is a database that tracks closed accounts, overdrafts, and fraud. If you have been flagged in ChexSystems — for example, because you left an account with a negative balance — American Express Bank may deny your process. You can request your ChexSystems report for free before you explore, which takes three to five business days.

Key Takeaways

You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a valid government ID and a Social Security number or ITIN to open an account.
American Express Bank checks ChexSystems, a banking history database, so past overdrafts or fraud flags can result in denial.
The online process takes about 15 minutes and requires your ID, Social Security number, and initial funding information.
Your account becomes active within one to two business days, and you can use your debit card when ready once it arrives.
American Express Bank does not offer branches or in-person service, so all banking happens online or by phone.

What you need before you start the process

Gather these items before you open the American Express Bank website. You will need them to complete the process in one sitting.

First, have a valid government-issued photo ID ready — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. American Express Bank will ask you to verify your identity using your ID number and will cross-check it against government records. If your ID is expired, some applications still go through, but American Express Bank may ask for additional verification.

Second, have your Social Security number or ITIN available. American Express Bank uses this to run a credit check and to verify your identity with the Social Security Administration. If you do not have either, you cannot proceed.

Third, decide on your initial deposit. American Express Bank does not require a minimum opening deposit, but you do need to fund the account during the process process. You can transfer money from another bank account (which takes one to two business days to clear) or use a debit card to fund it when ready. If you use a debit card, the funds appear in your American Express Bank account within hours.

The step-by-step process process

Go to the American Express Bank website and select "Open a Checking Account" or "New Account." You will be taken to their process form.

Enter your personal information: full name, date of birth, address, phone number, and email. American Express Bank uses this to verify your identity and to contact you if there are questions. Make sure your address matches your government ID — mismatches can delay approval.

Enter your Social Security number or ITIN. American Express Bank will run a soft credit inquiry (which does not affect your credit score) and verify the number with the Social Security Administration. This step usually takes a few seconds.

Answer questions about your banking history. American Express Bank will ask whether you have ever had a bank account closed due to negative balance, fraud, or other issues. Answer honestly — they will check ChexSystems regardless, and lying can result in account closure later.

Choose your account type and initial deposit method. American Express Bank offers one checking account product. You can fund it by transferring from another bank account (provide the routing and account number) or by debit card (provide the card number and expiration date). If you transfer from another bank, the funds take one to two business days to appear. If you use a debit card, the funds appear within hours.

Review the account agreement and fee schedule. American Express Bank's checking account has no monthly maintenance fee, but overdraft fees, out-of-network ATM fees, and other charges explore. Read the fee schedule before you submit — you cannot change your mind after the account is open.

Submit the process. American Express Bank will send you a confirmation email within minutes. Your account number appears in that email, and you can log in to your online account when ready.

What happens after you submit your process

American Express Bank reviews your process within one business day. Most approvals happen within hours. If they need more information — for example, if your address does not match your ID — they will email or call you. Respond as quickly as you can, because the review window is usually 10 days.

Once approved, your account is active when ready. You can log in to the online banking portal, set up bill pay, and transfer money. However, your debit card takes five to seven business days to arrive by mail. Until it arrives, you can transfer money to other accounts or receive transfers, but you cannot use a card to pay in stores or online.

If you need to access cash before your debit card arrives, you have two options. First, you can transfer money from your American Express Bank account to another bank account you own (takes one to two business days). Second, you can use the American Express Bank ATM network, which is limited — American Express Bank does not have its own ATM network, so you will pay out-of-network fees at most ATMs.

If your process is denied, American Express Bank will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons are ChexSystems flags, identity verification failure, or a mismatch between your process and government records. If you were denied because of ChexSystems, you can dispute the information in your ChexSystems report and reapply after the dispute is resolved.

Fees and account features

American Express Bank's checking account has no monthly maintenance fee and no minimum balance requirement. However, fees explore in specific situations. Overdraft fees are charged when you spend more than your balance — the fee amount varies but is typically $35 per overdraft. Out-of-network ATM fees are charged when you withdraw cash from an ATM that is not part of the American Express Bank network — usually $2 to $3 per withdrawal.

The account includes online bill pay, mobile banking, and the ability to receive direct deposits. You can set up automatic transfers to other accounts you own. American Express Bank does not offer checks, cashier's checks, or wire transfers through the checking account.

Interest on your checking balance is not offered. American Express Bank's checking account is a transactional account, not a savings account, so your balance earns no interest regardless of how much you keep in it.

If your process is denied

American Express Bank denies applications for three main reasons: ChexSystems flags, identity verification failure, or information that does not match government records.

If you were denied because of ChexSystems, request your ChexSystems report from Chex Systems directly (you can do this online at chexsystems.com). Review the report for errors. If you see an error — for example, an account that was not yours or a closed account that should not be flagged — file a dispute with Chex Systems. The dispute process takes 30 to 45 days. Once resolved, you can reapply to American Express Bank.

If you were denied because of identity verification, the issue is usually a mismatch between your process and your government ID or Social Security Administration records. Common causes are a name change (marriage, divorce, legal name change) that has not been updated with the Social Security Administration, or an address that does not match your ID. Update your information with the Social Security Administration or your state's ID office, then reapply.

If you cannot open an account with American Express Bank, other online banks have less strict requirements. Banks like Chime, LendingClub, and Varo have lower ChexSystems thresholds and may approve you even if American Express Bank did not. However, they may charge monthly fees or require direct deposit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get approved?

Most applications are approved within hours. American Express Bank reviews applications within one business day. Your account becomes active when ready upon approval, but your debit card takes five to seven business days to arrive by mail. If you need cash before the card arrives, you can transfer money to another bank account or use an ATM with out-of-network fees.

Can I open an account if I have been denied by other banks?

It depends on why you were denied. If another bank denied you because of ChexSystems, American Express Bank will likely deny you too, because they also check ChexSystems. If you were denied for other reasons — low income, no credit history, or recent address changes — American Express Bank may still approve you. The only way to know is to explore.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

You can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. An ITIN is issued by the IRS to people who do not have a Social Security number but need to file taxes or open a bank account. You can explore for an ITIN through the IRS website or by mail. The process takes four to six weeks.

Can I open an account as a non-citizen?

Only if you are a permanent resident (green card holder). American Express Bank does not open accounts for temporary visa holders, tourists, or undocumented immigrants. If you are on a work visa or student visa, you will need to use a different bank.

Do I need a minimum balance to keep the account open?

No. American Express Bank has no minimum balance requirement. You can keep your account open with $0 in it indefinitely. However, if you do not use the account for an extended period (usually 12 months or longer), American Express Bank may close it for inactivity.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.