Replacing Capital One Bank with an expat friendlier one

Capital one has made it clear that I am not welcome to live in Mexico even with a Laredo address. Recently they blocked two of my credit cards for excess activity here. Can any of you suggest a friendlier bank where I can send my social security checks and access that money here with NO international fees? I no longer want to constantly have to send proof of address in the USA. Thanks

I have my SS check deposited here at Intercam Bank. No complaints, good service and many English speaking employees.
Works for me.

Schwab Debit card is as hassle free as it gets. I just informed them that I will be using my card from Mexico and they noted it on their security settings. No problems getting pesos.
RoyD

But the OP has asked Schwab and they will not issue a card unless one has a US address.

For a US address I just gave my bank the general mail box address of iShop. I do not have a private mailbox with iShop. Someone sends a letter to that address, it is received at iShop and I pay 60 pesos if I accept the letter or it goes in their trash.

RoyD wrote:Schwab Debit card is as hassle free as it gets. I just informed them that I will be using my card from Mexico and they noted it on their security settings. No problems getting pesos.
RoyD

Your situation is completely different. You don't petmanently reside in Mexico, right? No banking institution cares if you use your card in a foreign country while on holiday.

That is true, but the issue here is Benjii stated that Capital One kept blocking him from using his card while asking for proof of address constantly. If you supply a US address and that you are using it in Mexico for an extended time, there should not be an issue.

I reported to Schwab that I would be in Mexico for two months and the contact told me they could make it two weeks, but not beyond that. He told me once you start using the card and develop a history, it would not be an issue, and it has not been an issue. This is where I am coming from about the Schwab card.

RoyD

It is very easy for banks to ascertain that an address is not a residential address, but instead is the location of a CMRA (drop for a mail forwarding business).  Last I ran the 3 local mail forwarders' Lardeo addresses against the CMRA file, all were id'd as CMRAs.  

Many US expats have skated using these Laredo address (or other virtual mail forwarders addresses) but from time to time the banks search customers' addresses against the USPS free CMRA database.  

Recent Facebook posts mention USAA and Bank of America id'ing CMRA addresses and contacting expat account holders for a residential US address.

The Patriot Act and banking KYC rules (Know Your Customer) are two reasons US banks don't want expats; neither ban expats from having an account, but the mandatory reporting requirements result in many banks simply dropping expats.  

The reason most US banks won't knowingly issue credit cards to US fulltime expats is because they have no way to enforce collection of delinquent accounts.  Civil collection through the US court system (to get a judgment) requires the delinquent card holder to be served with court papers which is why the bank requires verifiable residential physical address.

Hi Benjji, This is Barbara Rolens. My husband and I moved here from Colorado Springs and still keep a checking account with Security Service Federal Credit Union (headquarted in Austin TX) & never have a problem with ATMs. We also have a Capital One credit card and have had no problems since we moved here in 2009. I hope this helps. Please let me know. Take care, Barbi

BisbeeGal wrote:It is very easy for banks to ascertain that an address is not a residential address, but instead is the location of a CMRA (drop for a mail forwarding business).  Last I ran the 3 local mail forwarders' Lardeo addresses against the CMRA file, all were id'd as CMRAs.  

Many US expats have skated using these Laredo address (or other virtual mail forwarders addresses) but from time to time the banks search customers' addresses against the USPS free CMRA database.

In my case I opened a bank account with Chase bank in San Marcos, Texas when I had a home nearby there some 5 years ago. After I sold that property I changed my address online with Chase bank to iShop in Laredo, Texas. A couple of months later I received a message from the Chase bank online website that my Chase bank account had been transferred to a Chase bank location in Laredo. I just happened to be in Laredo that week for a Covid vaccination so I went by for a visit and had a conversation with my Chase bank officer about my account. There was no problem and she said it was their standard business practice to assign clients to the nearest location of their new address. She knows that I do not live in Texas and said it did not matter to them. But then who knows what the future will bring.

On a sidebar, when I make a WISE currency transaction with debit card or ACH thru Chase bank the transfer is completed in minutes to my Bancomer account. When I make a currency transaction with a small local bank in central Texas that I also have an account with there is a three to four day delay because of the antiquated transfer methods of that bank.

My problem, so far, is only with credit cards issued under the Capital One logo. My checking and savings has not be questioned...I just don't like the "change" in customer service that I have noted. I now have a Discover and Amex card but neither of those is popular down here. Thanks for the feedback and advice....but I am still searching for a bank that WANTS expats.

I doubt any bank "wants" expats as there is always a bit of risk having a client that doesn't reside in the same country as the bank. I used to use TD Securities in Canada but when they found out I lived in Mexico they told me to get another investment company. They actually recommended a competitor, RBC Securities.

I've been with Royal Bank (RBC) since 1976. Excellent service,

In fact on my trip to Toronto last week we set up 3 new investing accounts for my wife.

SunFan

Yes, I have been quite happy with RBC Securities. They transfer a monthly stipend into my Scotia account so I can withdraw here without service charges.