AI agents for business finance: what they can and can't do
What AI agents can do in bookkeeping, close, collections and compliance today, where a person must stay in charge, and how to judge a product.
The short answer
Banks in Atlanta, like banks everywhere in the US, must collect your name, date of birth, residential address and an identification number before opening an account. Federal rules let a non-US person use a passport number and country of issue instead of a Social Security number, so a valid Nigerian passport can be enough for some banks, though each bank sets its own documents. Bring your passport, a second ID, proof of your Atlanta address and your SSN or ITIN if you have one.
Atlanta has one of the larger Nigerian communities in the US, and new arrivals are often told that you cannot open an account without a Social Security number. That is a bank policy question, not a federal rule. Knowing what the rule requires helps you choose where to apply and what to bring.
What federal rules require
Every bank must run a customer identification programme. Under 31 CFR 1020.220, it must obtain, at a minimum:
- Name.
- Date of birth.
- Residential street address. If you have no street address yet, the rule allows a next of kin's or other contact person's address.
- An identification number. For a US person this is a taxpayer identification number. For a non-US person it can be a taxpayer identification number, a passport number and country of issue, an alien identification card number, or the number of another government-issued photo document showing nationality or residence.
The rule also lets a bank open an account for someone who has applied for, but not yet received, a taxpayer identification number, as long as it confirms the application was filed and gets the number within a reasonable period. Whether a branch uses that option is the bank's choice.
What branches commonly ask for
Beyond the federal minimum, each bank sets its own list. Newcomers in Atlanta commonly report being asked for:
- A valid passport, with your US visa or green card.
- A second ID, such as a Georgia driver's licence or ID card once you have one; see getting a Georgia licence.
- Proof of address: a lease, a utility bill or an official letter.
- Your SSN, or your ITIN if you have one.
- An opening deposit, depending on the account.
Online applications often need an SSN because they verify identity automatically. A branch visit is usually the better route for someone with a passport only. Phone the branch first and ask exactly what it accepts for a non-US person; answers differ between banks and sometimes between branches.
Where an ITIN fits
An ITIN is a nine-digit number the IRS issues for federal tax purposes to people who need a taxpayer number but are not eligible for an SSN, such as a spouse or dependant without work authorisation. The IRS is clear about its limits: it does not authorise work, does not give Social Security benefits, and is not valid identification outside the federal tax system.
You apply with Form W-7, normally attached to a federal tax return, by post or in person. The IRS says to allow about seven weeks, or 9 to 11 weeks during tax season (15 January to 30 April) or if you apply from abroad. An ITIN is not usually something to get just to open a bank account, but if you already need one for tax, it can help with banks and card issuers that ask for a taxpayer number. See who needs an ITIN.
Choosing between a bank and a credit union
Atlanta has national banks, regional banks and many credit unions. Credit unions are member-owned and often have lower fees, but membership is usually tied to where you live, work or worship, or to an association, so check whether you qualify. National banks have more branches and ATMs across states, which matters if you may move for work. Whichever you choose, look at:
- Monthly maintenance fees and what waives them, such as a minimum balance or direct deposit.
- Overdraft and insufficient-funds fees, and whether you can switch overdraft coverage off.
- Incoming and outgoing international wire fees, if family will send or receive money through the account.
- Whether a secured credit card is available once you are a customer; see secured cards for new immigrants.
Before you go to the branch
- Make sure your name is written the same way on your passport, visa document and lease. Middle names and surname order cause many failed checks.
- Bring originals, not copies.
- If you have no lease yet, ask whether a letter from your employer, school or the person you are staying with is accepted.
- Ask about monthly fees and how to avoid them, overdraft settings, and whether the account can receive international transfers.
If a bank refuses you, ask whether the refusal came from identity checks or a checking account report; our guide to ChexSystems explains the difference. Once the account is open, renting in Atlanta without US credit is the next hurdle for many.
Where Pryme fits
A Pryme account can be opened before you arrive or in your first week, and holds dollars and naira with their own account details, so money has a home while you wait for a US bank appointment (multicurrency). Outside Nigeria, Pryme's services are provided through regulated partners.
Questions people ask
Can I open a bank account in Atlanta without an SSN?
Federal rules let a non-US person use a passport number and country of issue instead. Whether a particular bank accepts that is its own policy, so call the branch first.
Do I need an ITIN to open a bank account?
Not usually. An ITIN is a tax number for people not eligible for an SSN. It can help where a bank asks for a taxpayer number, but it is not an ID outside the tax system.
What proof of address do Atlanta banks accept?
Commonly a lease, utility bill or official letter. If you have no street address yet, federal rules allow a contact person's address, but each bank decides what it accepts.
Is it easier to open a bank account online or at a branch?
Online applications often need an SSN for automatic checks. A branch visit is usually better if you have only a passport.
Sources
- eCFR: 31 CFR 1020.220, customer identification programs for banks (current to 22 October 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- IRS: Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (reviewed 28 October 2025) · accessed Oct 2026
- Consulate General of Nigeria, Atlanta: home page and contacts · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.