Santander Bank · U.S. checking accounts

Santander Essential Checking

Branch checking with no overdraft fees, a $10 opening deposit and a $4 monthly fee. Fee waived if an owner is under 26 or at least 65. Nonresidents can apply in branch without SSN, subject to identity verification.

Pros

No overdraft fees.
Documented nonresident no-SSN branch route.
$10 opening deposit.

Cons

$4 monthly unless an owner is under 26 or age 65 or older.
$10 minimum opening deposit.
Two accepted IDs and address/contact details are required for the documented branch route.
Domestic non-Santander ATM withdrawals cost $2.50 plus any owner fee.
Standard debit-card international transactions cost 4%; international ATM withdrawals cost $6, with Mexico Santander ATM exceptions. Third-party fees may apply.
Paper statements cost $2, waived for an owner age 65+; paperless is free.

Generated from the provider's published terms and reviewed against official sources.

Costs and key facts

Recurring fee	4 (currency not confirmed)
Minimum opening deposit	10 (currency not confirmed)
SSN requirement	Conditional
ITIN accepted	Accepted
Credit check	NotStated

Fee waiver: Waived if any owner is under 26 or age 65+.

Eligibility and application requirements

U.S. address: Not confirmed

Residency and other conditions: For Essential Checking branch opening, bring a valid government-issued photo ID such as a passport plus an accepted secondary ID, your address, phone number and the $10 opening deposit. Santander states that nonresidents can apply without an SSN or use an ITIN if they have one. Confirm the exact documents and branch availability for your status; opening is subject to verification and approval.

Geographic restrictions: Not confirmed. Confirm availability in your state.

Product review: 17 Oct 2026. Source retrieval dates below are separate from editorial verification. An accepted ITIN does not establish residency eligibility.

Compare u.s. checking accounts requirements and costs · How we assess published requirements

Service fees

Overdraft / returned item	0 (currency not confirmed)
Outgoing domestic wire	25 (currency not confirmed)
Incoming wire	13 (currency not confirmed)
Outgoing instant transfer	Not confirmed
Incoming instant transfer	Not confirmed
Global remittance	Not confirmed · International USD outgoing wire $40. Incoming $13 (waived for Simply Right when an owner is under 26). Exchange and other-bank charges may apply.
Allpoint ATM	Not confirmed
Other ATMs	Domestic non-Santander ATM cash withdrawals cost $2.50, plus any ATM-owner charge. Santander ATM access follows the account’s current terms.
Cash deposit	Not confirmed