USA State Department Credit Union

[shortstop2]

In another thread, the USA State Department Credit Union was mentioned as an easy way to open a USA bank account from Thailand.

 

Looking at their eligibility requirements, one must be. amember of a Select Employee Group to join.  It appears members of American Citizens Abroad can join but membership in that organization costs $70 a year ($65 for seniors). 

 

Are there other more cost effective ways to join the State Department Credit Union than joining American Citizens Abroad?

 

Does either the State Department Credit Union or American Citizens abroad require a USA phone number for verification purposes?

 

Can one connect to Wise using the State Department Credit Union?

 

Next year, I will start receiving a pension.  I am looking for an account that can be opened by US citizens living in Thailand without needing to provide a US phone number which I don't have to which my pension can be direct deposited and then use Wise to transfer to Thailand?  Are there some other easy options besides the State Department Credit Union?  

 

I have a Fidelity account but am unable to obtain a Medallion Signature Guarantee here in Thailand which would enable me to set up international wire transfers and have no plans to visit the USA.

 

 

[livram]

You can join SDFCU by being a member of American Consumer Council which costs $8 for a year.  As far as I know after you become a member of SDFCU they do not check to see if you renew membership in ACC.

 

I joined SDFCU while living in Thailand and had no USA phone number or address.

 

You can transfer money to Thailand cheaply by sending a DOMESTIC wire to Bangkok Bank NY for $6 if retired. BkBank NY can then forward to your local Bangkok Bank account. 

 

Or as I do and have WISE do a bank debit from SDFCU and then send the funds to your bank in Thailand.

[shortstop2]

42 minutes ago, livram said:

You can join SDFCU by being a member of American Consumer Council which costs $8 for a year. 

That's great!  Thanks Livram!   ????

 

44 minutes ago, livram said:

You can transfer money to Thailand cheaply by sending a DOMESTIC wire to Bangkok Bank NY for $6 if retired. BkBank NY can then forward to your local Bangkok Bank account. 

Is the Domestic Wire the same as an ACH Transfer?

 

I have my Fidelity account linked to Bangkok Bank New York but was under the impression that it was no longer coded properly for ACH transactions.

 

I also have my Social Security going directly to a different Bangkok Bank account but don't think I can link my Fidelity account to new accounts.

 

47 minutes ago, livram said:

if retired

Am a bit confused.  Any idea how I would go about doing this?  I go to a Bangkok Bank branch in Thailand and tell them I'm retired and want to send domestic wires?

[gamb00ler]

1 hour ago, livram said:

You can transfer money to Thailand cheaply by sending a DOMESTIC wire to Bangkok Bank NY for $6 if retired. BkBank NY can then forward to your local Bangkok Bank account. 

 

 

34 minutes ago, shortstop2 said:

That's great!  Thanks Livram!   ????

 

Is the Domestic Wire the same as an ACH Transfer?

 

I have my Fidelity account linked to Bangkok Bank New York but was under the impression that it was no longer coded properly for ACH transactions.

 

I also have my Social Security going directly to a different Bangkok Bank account but don't think I can link my Fidelity account to new accounts.

 

Am a bit confused.  Any idea how I would go about doing this?  I go to a Bangkok Bank branch in Thailand and tell them I'm retired and want to send domestic wires?

If you send your pension to State Department Federal Credit Union (SDFCU) for automatic deposit you will be granted Emeritus status.  Emeritus members can do domestic wires for $6.  Those wires are different from ACH transfers and do satisfy Bangkok Bank's requirements for subsequent transfer to an account in Thailand.  BKK bank will also charge you 200-500 ฿ on the receiving end.  This charge will not be shown in your statement.

[shortstop2]

4 hours ago, gamb00ler said:

If you send your pension to State Department Federal Credit Union (SDFCU) for automatic deposit you will be granted Emeritus status.  Emeritus members can do domestic wires for $6. 

Thanks Gambler!

 

If will be about 20 months until my pension kicks in.

 

Looking at the SDFCU website, I can't find much about Emeritus Status, perhaps because I'm not logged in since I'm not a member.

 

How else can a retired person be granted Emeritus Status?

[gamb00ler]

Unfortunately, SDFCU doesn't have a great web site.

 

Contacting them would be the best way to get information.

 

 

sdfcuDocs.pdf

[Zaphod]

If you have a gmail account, you have a US phone number.  Log in to your Gmail account from this link:

www.voice.google.com

Or download the voice app. From there you can see your US phone number and make and receive calls to/ from the US from anywhere in the world. 

[mtls2005]

6 hours ago, shortstop2 said:

How else can a retired person be granted Emeritus Status?

Gazillions of threads here on SDFCU, with answers to your questions and more.

 

I'd do a search. 

 

For this question, others here have reported that you can get Emeritus status by having your pension or social security deposited directly at SDFCU.

 

 

 

You could redirect your SSA benefit to SDFCU now and direct your pension payment to SDFCU.

 

 

I think Fidelity will send a SWIFT/Wire based on your telephone request without a standing order (medallion), but they may try to verify your identity. They do not charge a fee for international wire transfers, at least for some customers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mtls2005]

1 minute ago, Zaphod said:

If you have a gmail account, you have a US phone number.  Log in to your Gmail account from this link:

www.voice.google.com

Or download the voice app. From there you can see your US phone number and make and receive calls to/ from the US from anywhere in the world. 

 

Don't think this will work, you need to have a U.S. mobile number to receive an activation SMS. Most recommend asking a family/friend in the U.S. to relay the SMS, but that also introduces future challenges. You can get a free number from Talkatone, then use that to for anything including registering with GV, but you may need to use a VPN?

[mtls2005]

16 hours ago, shortstop2 said:

Can one connect to Wise using the State Department Credit Union?

Found this using google

 

https://www.sdfcu.org/banking-services-wire-transfers-wise

https://www.sdfcu.org/banking-services

 

[gamb00ler]

17 hours ago, livram said:

Or as I do and have WISE do a bank debit from SDFCU and then send the funds to your bank in Thailand.

I think you can reduce Wise's fees slightly if you set up a multi-currency account with them and then "push" your funds to them from SDFCU rather than having Wise "pull" the funds from your SDFCU account.  The fee is about $1.60 per 1K US$.  All other Wise fees will remain the same.  It does take a little more planning ahead because the push transfer will take a day or two.

[sagra]

On 3/4/2022 at 7:53 AM, Zaphod said:

If you have a gmail account, you have a US phone number.  Log in to your Gmail account from this link:

www.voice.google.com

Or download the voice app. From there you can see your US phone number and make and receive calls to/ from the US from anywhere in the world. 

It says Google Voice not supported in Thailand

[Jingthing]

SDFCU has been a life saver for me.

[sagra]

On 3/3/2022 at 7:51 PM, livram said:

You can join SDFCU by being a member of American Consumer Council which costs $8 for a year.  As far as I know after you become a member of SDFCU they do not check to see if you renew membership in ACC.

 

I joined SDFCU while living in Thailand and had no USA phone number or address.

 

You can transfer money to Thailand cheaply by sending a DOMESTIC wire to Bangkok Bank NY for $6 if retired. BkBank NY can then forward to your local Bangkok Bank account. 

 

Or as I do and have WISE do a bank debit from SDFCU and then send the funds to your bank in Thailand.

I sure hope you can do it with a US address or phone number. These document requirements sure seem to suggest otherwise. Your thought?

 

[Robert Paulson]

Why not open a schwab account. You can use a google voice phone number. And you get reimbersed atm fee 

[Robert Paulson]

On 3/4/2022 at 7:57 AM, mtls2005 said:

 

Don't think this will work, you need to have a U.S. mobile number to receive an activation SMS. Most recommend asking a family/friend in the U.S. to relay the SMS, but that also introduces future challenges. You can get a free number from Talkatone, then use that to for anything including registering with GV, but you may need to use a VPN?

It works

[Jingthing]

3 minutes ago, Robert Paulson said:

It works

Which of those work?

[Smokin Joe]

If you have a military affiliation of any kind Navy Federal Credit Union has no problem with members being outside the US and they are ok with using a mail forwarding agent as your address.

 

They are the largest credit union in the US by a wide margin and have many overseas branches. Nearest ones in Singapore and Japan.

[Everyman]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

SDFCU has been a life saver for me.

 

Why? What’s better about it than any other bank? 

[Jingthing]

4 minutes ago, Everyman said:

 

Why? What’s better about it than any other bank? 

It took 20 years but all my other US banks have ended their relationship with me over we don't want expat issues. I had many!

 

Currently thousands of dollars frozen as well.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

2 hours ago, sagra said:

It says Google Voice not supported in Thailand

 

An existing Google Voice account/service works just fine in Thailand for U.S. calling and SMSs....

 

BUT, one's GV account has to be initially set up in the U.S. at the outset, or at least appear to be set up in the U.S. first based on one's IP address... And at least initially, has to be set up using a U.S. mobile number, AFAIR.

 

The accountholder's underlying Google account also has to be based in the U.S., not in Thailand, since GV is a U.S. only Google service.

 

 

[Presnock]

On 3/3/2022 at 7:31 PM, shortstop2 said:

In another thread, the USA State Department Credit Union was mentioned as an easy way to open a USA bank account from Thailand.

 

Looking at their eligibility requirements, one must be. amember of a Select Employee Group to join.  It appears members of American Citizens Abroad can join but membership in that organization costs $70 a year ($65 for seniors). 

 

Are there other more cost effective ways to join the State Department Credit Union than joining American Citizens Abroad?

 

Does either the State Department Credit Union or American Citizens abroad require a USA phone number for verification purposes?

 

Can one connect to Wise using the State Department Credit Union?

 

Next year, I will start receiving a pension.  I am looking for an account that can be opened by US citizens living in Thailand without needing to provide a US phone number which I don't have to which my pension can be direct deposited and then use Wise to transfer to Thailand?  Are there some other easy options besides the State Department Credit Union?  

 

I have a Fidelity account but am unable to obtain a Medallion Signature Guarantee here in Thailand which would enable me to set up international wire transfers and have no plans to visit the USA.

 

 

actually, when you first apply, they give you a list of quite a few possible organizations to join prior to getting an account.  I just chose ACA but there were some that one could join for $15 only too...once you have an account, you do not have to remain a member of that organization - only need to be so in getting an account.  You do not need anything USA, address, or phone number.  Yes as far as I know, but I have my pension sent to SDFCU and then do a wire transfer on any monies I need here.  They have several different Credit cards for you /wife or whatever, my wife and daughter are also on the account in case I suddenly depart.  I have seen on this forum something about Chase but don't know for sure.  SDFCU gave me an acct over 5 years ago and no problems with any transfers - normally after I send a wire transfer it has taken 1 day to apprear in my Bangkok Bank except for once it took 2 days but that was the only non 1 day deposit.  I am not sure what wise charges for transfers...the cc watchers will also check with you on any suspicious activity on your card.  Good luck!  I recommend SDFCU as a secure and safe bank for me.  We needed a monthly statement (which we get anyway) but my daughter needed a statement signed by someone at the bank for her summer college course membership in Korea - I sent an email advising the bank of this and the following  day we had the signed letter in our secure email from the bank.  

[Presnock]

1 minute ago, Presnock said:

actually, when you first apply, they give you a list of quite a few possible organizations to join prior to getting an account.  I just chose ACA but there were some that one could join for $15 only too...once you have an account, you do not have to remain a member of that organization - only need to be so in getting an account.  You do not need anything USA, address, or phone number.  Yes as far as I know, but I have my pension sent to SDFCU and then do a wire transfer on any monies I need here.  They have several different Credit cards for you /wife or whatever, my wife and daughter are also on the account in case I suddenly depart.  I have seen on this forum something about Chase but don't know for sure.  SDFCU gave me an acct over 5 years ago and no problems with any transfers - normally after I send a wire transfer it has taken 1 day to apprear in my Bangkok Bank except for once it took 2 days but that was the only non 1 day deposit.  I am not sure what wise charges for transfers...the cc watchers will also check with you on any suspicious activity on your card.  Good luck!  I recommend SDFCU as a secure and safe bank for me.  We needed a monthly statement (which we get anyway) but my daughter needed a statement signed by someone at the bank for her summer college course membership in Korea - I sent an email advising the bank of this and the following  day we had the signed letter in our secure email from the bank.  

Actually, I didn't note the time on the original message - thus my answer now  sorry...

[livram]

At first I sent a SDFCU domestic wirea to Bangkok Bank NY which was forwarded to my BB Thai account. But the last couple of years I have used WISE to  pull my funds from SDFU at no charge and then forward to my Thai bank account charging the usual WISE transfaer fees.

[shortstop2]

On 6/30/2024 at 10:56 AM, sagra said:

It says Google Voice not supported in Thailand

You can't (or it is extremely difficult) sign up for Google Voice in Thailand.

However, if you already have Google Voice you can make calls from Thailand to the USA for free.