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One thing almost everyone needs in America is a bank account. This will be used to keep your money safe as well as provide quick convenient access to it with ATM and debit cards. It isn’t difficult to open a bank account in the US, if you have the proper documentation.

The first step is to choose a bank in your town that appears to suit your needs. Most banks are the same if you only use it as a savings and checking service, but if you also plan to invest money in the bank with fixed deposits or money market funds then much deeper research is required.

All banks charge fees for their services, so be sure to read up carefully to determine what fees you will be dealing with frequently, based on the specific services you will use most often. There are basically two types of banks in the US, giant national chains like Citibank and Wells Fargo and small town local banks that mainly deal with the local community.

All banks in America are protected and insured by the federal government, so your money will be safe even in the most humble bank. Often, community banks known as savings and loans banks provide better service to their customers because they rely on the local population to keep their business going.

Most people have both a savings and checking account tied together. Although it’s becoming more and more common to pay bills online and with debit cards, the day when checks will disappear altogether is still a few years off. Most Americans still pay their bills with a check sent through the mail or use a check to pay for goods and services at local businesses like the supermarket.

All you need to open a bank account in America is a US social security card, US driver’s license or US passport. There is very little paperwork involved to set up the account, which can be completed in just a few minutes. You need only deposit a small amount of cash to open the account but be very careful never to write a check for more than is in the account as the overdraft charges are incredibly high.

In fact, it’s good practice to always keep a safety net of several hundred dollars in your checking account if possible. Banks are notorious for charging odd fees for all kinds of things, so take the time to understand the fine details of your account before signing up.