Background: Have been retired in CM for 11 glorious years.

Using Wise to transfer SSA from Chase to BBK.

Have Chase account for 30 years. Have no U.S. address other than a virtual mailbox.

When Chase discovers I don’t live in U.S. they will close account (that’s the banking

law in U.S.).

Can’t use Wise for direct deposit because of upcoming changes to Wise (they must

comply with BOT).

So must do direct deposit to BBK.

The setup “appears” to be straight forward. DHL completed Form SSA-1199-OP107

(Direct Deposit Sign-Up Form for Thailand) to Manila. But a representative of my local

BBK must enter bank info and sign the form. Nobody at BBK will sign a form that does

come directly from BBK headquarters. I wouldn’t sign either if I were them.

Those that have setup direct deposit to BBK please advise how to do so.

The post "US Social Security direct to Thai Bank Account" by ddddave does not

answer my question.

Edited May 25May 25 by WROBE

If you don't need to show monthly international deposits for your extensions I would advise you get a Schwab international account. They accept Thai residents as customers. Then get your SSA benefit sent to Schwab. Schwab offers pretty competitive rates on money market type investments or CDs.

When you need Thai ฿ use your Schwab debit card to get up to 30K baht at a Thai ATM or go to a Krungsri bank teller and get up to 150K ฿ for a fee of 200฿. Schwab charges no transaction fees and will also refund the 250฿ fee Thai ATMs charge. The exchange rate is set by VISA once a business day at about 7AM Thai time. You can check the rate anytime online.

PS.. I think a Schwab brokerage account has $500. limit on ATM withdrawals but a Schwab bank account's limit is 1000$.

5 minutes ago, gamb00ler said:

If you don't need to show monthly international deposits for your extensions I would advise you get a Schwab international account. They accept Thai residents as customers. Then get your SSA benefit sent to Schwab. Schwab offers pretty competitive rates on money market type investments or CDs.

When you need Thai ฿ use your Schwab debit card to get up to 30K baht at a Thai ATM or go to a Krungsri bank teller and get up to 150K ฿ for a fee of 200฿. Schwab charges no transaction fees and will also refund the 250฿ fee Thai ATMs charge. The exchange rate is set by VISA once a business day at about 7AM Thai time. You can check the rate anytime online.

PS.. I think a Schwab brokerage account has $500. limit on ATM withdrawals but a Schwab bank account's limit is 1000$.

Thank you for your reply.

I do need to show monthly international deposits for my extensions. I should have stated that

in original post. Too late to edit now.

2 minutes ago, WROBE said:

Thank you for your reply.

I do need to show monthly international deposits for my extensions. I should have stated that

in original post. Too late to edit now.

If you send it via SWIFT in WISE, it arrives as a Foreign Transfer. A bit more expensive, but it gets the job done.

15 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

If you send it via SWIFT in WISE, it arrives as a Foreign Transfer. A bit more expensive, but it gets the job done.

I didn’t think I could direct deposit SSA to Wise because I’m registered with Wise as

residing in Thailand. Before the upcoming changes with Wise I could use them for direct deposit

instead of Chase. But after August I think not permitted by BOT rules.

I would be thrilled to be wrong about this. Wise is great.

2 minutes ago, WROBE said:

I didn’t think I could direct deposit SSA to Wise because I’m registered with Wise as

residing in Thailand. Before the upcoming changes with Wise I could use them for direct deposit

instead of Chase. But after August I think not permitted by BOT rules.

I would be thrilled to be wrong about this. Wise is great.

Unfortunately you are not wrong. That's why I am exploring alternatives to WISE. A few bob extra will not make any difference to me except to get my Extension hassle free.

You could send your money to my Barclays in UK, and I will send it first to my Bkk Bank, and then on to yours.........honest, I promise!

Edited May 25May 25 by wil iam not

40 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

Unfortunately you are not wrong. That's why I am exploring alternatives to WISE. A few bob extra will not make any difference to me except to get my Extension hassle free.

You could send your money to my Barclays in UK, and I will send it first to my Bkk Bank, and then on to yours.........honest, I promise!

Thanks for the offer (I realize you are joking).

I think Gemini AI has the answer:

Gemini reply was “ do not waste your time arguing with them”. “Submit Directly to the Manila FBU The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in Manila handles all Social Security operations for expats in Thailand. They are fully aware that local Thai bank branches frequently refuse to sign Section 3. Because of this, they will accept the form without the bank's signature, provided you prove the account is yours."

3 minutes ago, WROBE said:

Submit Directly to the Manila FBU The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in Manila

Which AI was this to repeat FBU 3 times, and Manila twice in one sentence?

11 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

Which AI was this to repeat FBU 3 times, and Manila twice in one sentence?

But they are very polite. "You are completely correct, and that is my mistake—I misremembered the exact layout of this specific form."

8 minutes ago, WROBE said:

But they are very polite. "You are completely correct, and that is my mistake—I misremembered the exact layout of this specific form."

ALL AIs, Chat, Co-Pilot, Gemini , Perplexity, Leo are all very polite, up to the point of being nauseaus. I have told a couple that I use to cut out the BS and just give the straight answer. I do ask all four of them the questions I have, and take 'an average' of the answers. I said four because I have stopped using Co-Pilot since switching to Linux and dumping Microsoft completely, and so glad I did.

Edited May 25May 25 by wil iam not

14 hours ago, WROBE said:

Have Chase account for 30 years. Have no U.S. address other than a virtual mailbox.

When Chase discovers I don’t live in U.S. they will close account (that’s the banking

law in U.S.).

So must do direct deposit to BBK.

The setup “appears” to be straight forward. DHL completed Form SSA-1199-OP107

(Direct Deposit Sign-Up Form for Thailand) to Manila. But a representative of my local

BBK must enter bank info and sign the form. Nobody at BBK will sign a form that does

come directly from BBK headquarters. I wouldn’t sign either if I were them.

US banks are allowed to use foreign addresses for accountholders who do not have a US address. I opened a Chase account using only my Thai address as I do not have a US address. My Thai address was printed on the checks and they along with a debit card were sent to me here in Thailand by FedEx. The Chase banking app works with my iPhone and Thai SIM and I also can use the online banking portal. The Patriot Act, which is often cited as prohibiting the use of a foreign address, does no such thing.

The bank officer at the Bangkok Bank branch where I have my account had no problem signing and stamping the SSA form 1199, If your local branch won't, ask the officer to call the head office for clarification.

My local BB wouldn't sign it. I had to go to the branch that opened the account, then no problem. The DD makes life easier once started, so worth the hassle to set up.

3 hours ago, walt1 said:

My local BB wouldn't sign it. I had to go to the branch that opened the account, then no problem. The DD makes life easier once started, so worth the hassle to set up.

My local BB wouldn't sign. I had to go to the branch that opened the account, they wouldn't sign either. This in CM.

Edited May 27May 27 by WROBE

On 5/27/2026 at 1:49 PM, walt1 said:

My local BB wouldn't sign it. I had to go to the branch that opened the account, then no problem. The DD makes life easier once started, so worth the hassle to set up.

walt1

How do you access your BB account. Are you able to transfer funds using phone app?

On 5/25/2026 at 4:39 PM, WROBE said:

Background: Have been retired in CM for 11 glorious years.

Using Wise to transfer SSA from Chase to BBK.

Have Chase account for 30 years. Have no U.S. address other than a virtual mailbox.

When Chase discovers I don’t live in U.S. they will close account (that’s the banking

law in U.S.).

Can’t use Wise for direct deposit because of upcoming changes to Wise (they must

comply with BOT).

So must do direct deposit to BBK.

The setup “appears” to be straight forward. DHL completed Form SSA-1199-OP107

(Direct Deposit Sign-Up Form for Thailand) to Manila. But a representative of my local

BBK must enter bank info and sign the form. Nobody at BBK will sign a form that does

come directly from BBK headquarters. I wouldn’t sign either if I were them.

Those that have setup direct deposit to BBK please advise how to do so.

The post "US Social Security direct to Thai Bank Account" by ddddave does not

answer my question.

Here is a Form I used to change my SS payments to a Thai Bank.

SSA-1199-OP 107. Google this info and you can copy the 1-page form to make the change. Just follow the easy directions.

On 5/25/2026 at 4:39 PM, WROBE said:

Background: Have been retired in CM for 11 glorious years.

Using Wise to transfer SSA from Chase to BBK.

Have Chase account for 30 years. Have no U.S. address other than a virtual mailbox.

When Chase discovers I don’t live in U.S. they will close account (that’s the banking

law in U.S.).

Can’t use Wise for direct deposit because of upcoming changes to Wise (they must

comply with BOT).

So must do direct deposit to BBK.

The setup “appears” to be straight forward. DHL completed Form SSA-1199-OP107

(Direct Deposit Sign-Up Form for Thailand) to Manila. But a representative of my local

BBK must enter bank info and sign the form. Nobody at BBK will sign a form that does

come directly from BBK headquarters. I wouldn’t sign either if I were them.

Those that have setup direct deposit to BBK please advise how to do so.

The post "US Social Security direct to Thai Bank Account" by ddddave does not

answer my question.

On 5/25/2026 at 4:39 PM, WROBE said:

Background: Have been retired in CM for 11 glorious years.

Using Wise to transfer SSA from Chase to BBK.

Have Chase account for 30 years. Have no U.S. address other than a virtual mailbox.

When Chase discovers I don’t live in U.S. they will close account (that’s the banking

law in U.S.).

Can’t use Wise for direct deposit because of upcoming changes to Wise (they must

comply with BOT).

So must do direct deposit to BBK.

The setup “appears” to be straight forward. DHL completed Form SSA-1199-OP107

(Direct Deposit Sign-Up Form for Thailand) to Manila. But a representative of my local

BBK must enter bank info and sign the form. Nobody at BBK will sign a form that does

come directly from BBK headquarters. I wouldn’t sign either if I were them.

Those that have setup direct deposit to BBK please advise how to do so.

The post "US Social Security direct to Thai Bank Account" by ddddave does not

answer my question.

On 5/25/2026 at 4:39 PM, WROBE said:

Background: Have been retired in CM for 11 glorious years.

Using Wise to transfer SSA from Chase to BBK.

Have Chase account for 30 years. Have no U.S. address other than a virtual mailbox.

When Chase discovers I don’t live in U.S. they will close account (that’s the banking

law in U.S.).

Can’t use Wise for direct deposit because of upcoming changes to Wise (they must

comply with BOT).

So must do direct deposit to BBK.

The setup “appears” to be straight forward. DHL completed Form SSA-1199-OP107

(Direct Deposit Sign-Up Form for Thailand) to Manila. But a representative of my local

BBK must enter bank info and sign the form. Nobody at BBK will sign a form that does

come directly from BBK headquarters. I wouldn’t sign either if I were them.

Those that have setup direct deposit to BBK please advise how to do so.

The post "US Social Security direct to Thai Bank Account" by ddddave does not

answer my question.

If you are an American then you can open US account easily at SDFCU.org a 90+year old US bank. While the name may sound like a govt institution it is a banking facility. I get my check from OPM (govt annuity) sent to that bank since BOA dropped me when I sold my house in the US. SDFCU can send you transfers of your check at their cost or they also advertise using WISE to do so. I just use the bank for transfers (6 years now) and every one is in the local bank within 24 hours of my transfer wire. They also have several different credit cards and they are very fraud conscience and will advise you immediately of anything strange with your accounts. They are very proactive in messaging me about banking changes or SCAMs or whatever and during the 6 years, I have had ZERO problems with all banking activities. Just saying as i have also heard that there are others using this same bank in other countries too and always on a positive note for their service. You use your foreign address etc for contact. their email is "SDFCU.org" and wish you the best of luck.

WROBE

I don't use the app only the internet site to access account and do transfers.

On 5/26/2026 at 7:15 AM, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

US banks are allowed to use foreign addresses for accountholders who do not have a US address. I opened a Chase account using only my Thai address as I do not have a US address. My Thai address was printed on the checks and they along with a debit card were sent to me here in Thailand by FedEx. The Chase banking app works with my iPhone and Thai SIM and I also can use the online banking portal. The Patriot Act, which is often cited as prohibiting the use of a foreign address, does no such thing.

The bank officer at the Bangkok Bank branch where I have my account had no problem signing and stamping the SSA form 1199, If your local branch won't, ask the officer to call the head office for clarification.

ES

On 5/26/2026 at 7:15 AM, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

US banks are allowed to use foreign addresses for accountholders who do not have a US address. I opened a Chase account using only my Thai address as I do not have a US address. My Thai address was printed on the checks and they along with a debit card were sent to me here in Thailand by FedEx. The Chase banking app works with my iPhone and Thai SIM and I also can use the online banking portal. The Patriot Act, which is often cited as prohibiting the use of a foreign address, does no such thing.

The bank officer at the Bangkok Bank branch where I have my account had no problem signing and stamping the SSA form 1199, If your local branch won't, ask the officer to call the head office for clarification.

On 5/26/2026 at 7:15 AM, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

US banks are allowed to use foreign addresses for accountholders who do not have a US address. I opened a Chase account using only my Thai address as I do not have a US address. My Thai address was printed on the checks and they along with a debit card were sent to me here in Thailand by FedEx. The Chase banking app works with my iPhone and Thai SIM and I also can use the online banking portal. The Patriot Act, which is often cited as prohibiting the use of a foreign address, does no such thing.

The bank officer at the Bangkok Bank branch where I have my account had no problem signing and stamping the SSA form 1199, If your local branch won't, ask the officer to call the head office for clarification.

On 5/26/2026 at 7:15 AM, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

US banks are allowed to use foreign addresses for accountholders who do not have a US address. I opened a Chase account using only my Thai address as I do not have a US address. My Thai address was printed on the checks and they along with a debit card were sent to me here in Thailand by FedEx. The Chase banking app works with my iPhone and Thai SIM and I also can use the online banking portal. The Patriot Act, which is often cited as prohibiting the use of a foreign address, does no such thing.

The bank officer at the Bangkok Bank branch where I have my account had no problem signing and stamping the SSA form 1199, If your local branch won't, ask the officer to call the head office for clarification.

ES, can you tell us what fees are taken out by SS, if any, for doing the direct deposit to BKB? I assume that the exchange rate is "Buying TT" at BKB. Is that correct? Also, does BKB charge the 200 Baht minimum or 500 Baht maximum fee for the deposit? Thanks in advance for her response.

23 minutes ago, fittobethaied said:

ES

ES, can you tell us what fees are taken out by SS, if any, for doing the direct deposit to BKB? I assume that the exchange rate is "Buying TT" at BKB. Is that correct? Also, does BKB charge the 200 Baht minimum or 500 Baht maximum fee for the deposit? Thanks in advance for her response.

The SSA/Treasury uses Citibank to remit benefit funds to recipients overseas. Citibank converts USD into THB and sends THB to the Thai bank account of the recipients in Thailand. The exchange rate used by Citibank is usually not as favorable as one would receive had the funds been wired in USD. The difference isn't huge, however.

Neither SSA, Citibank, nor Bangkok Bank charge a specific, identifiable fee for any of this.

I did not see this addressed before in other posts, so I will do that now.  If you have already set up a direct deposit (DD) from the Social Security Administration (SSA) to a U.S. bank, you can go online to the SSA website and change the recipient bank and account number.  If you have never used the online SSA website, you will need to prove who you are by using an authenticator app on your phone, such as ID.ME, or Google Authenticator.  Once you have access to the SSA website, you can change the DD receiving bank by entering the Automated Clearing House (ACH) code for the BBL office in New York City (NYC), and your account number, IN YOUR NAME ONLY, with your local BBL branch in Thailand.  You can obtain the ACH code for the BBL office in NYC by entering “ach code for bangkok bank ltd., nyc” into a Google search.  The response will provide you with the ACH code, the BBL SWIFT code (which you will not need in this case), and the address for the BBL office in NYC.  DD transfers from SSA to BBL NYC is considered a DOMESTIC transfer that BBL NYC automatically deposits into your account with your local BBL branch in Thailand as a courtesy.  That is NOT a wire transfer with fees.

On 5/25/2026 at 4:39 PM, WROBE said:

When Chase discovers I don’t live in U.S. they will close account (that’s the banking

law in U.S.).

There is no law preventing US citizens that live abroad from holding accounts at a US bank.

If Chase closes your account it will be because of their policies not US banking laws.

Both Schwab and SDFCU allow non-residents to open accounts.

Edited May 30May 30 by gamb00ler

I did this yesterday.

According to current procedues on the SSA website, send them an email to

: [email protected]

Tell them in a note you want to change your direct deposit info.

Put your address, current routing number and account numer, then put your new routing number and account number and bank name.

Put the last 4 of your ssn , and maybe a phone number.

Might take a few weeks to work, not sure.

I have an acct with Charles Schwab. Pretty easy to do, and terribly polite and

efficient people. I have my SSN going there. If I need it in Thailand, CS will send it to be at BKK.

8 hours ago, fittobethaied said:

ES

ES, can you tell us what fees are taken out by SS, if any, for doing the direct deposit to BKB? I assume that the exchange rate is "Buying TT" at BKB. Is that correct? Also, does BKB charge the 200 Baht minimum or 500 Baht maximum fee for the deposit? Thanks in advance for her response.

there is no charge on the US end, BKK bank will be between 200-500, I get about 94,000 baht a month and I think my charge is about 300 baht all in

Thank you all for your input.

My current procedure is SSA to Chase - Wise USD withdraw from Chase – Wise BAHT deposit to BBL. My new procedure will simply replace Chase with Schwab (a variation on the suggestion by “gamb00ler”). As stated by “gamb00ler” (and ChatGPT) if an expat wants to maintain a U.S. banking presence, Schwab is the preferred bank. When the Schwab Intl. Account is setup with checking, Wise can withdraw. So monthly transfers will satisfy immigration.

After BBL refused to sign the SSA form. I asked K bank to sign the form. I opened an account with them about a year ago, as a backup to BBL. They also are not allowed to sign the form.

Interestingly (to me) its best NOT to use form “SSA-1199-OP 107” if you want a SSA direct deposit to a Thai bank. Because doing so could result in giving the receiving account heavily restricted access. Its best to have the BBL etc. print out a certificate indicating your account ownership and routing details. Then send to Manila SSA. So really not a concern Thai banks (in CM) will not sign the “SSA-1199-OP 107”.

“Uncle John”: I have access to the SSA website. But it tells me I have to contact them to change DD info.

“PeterA”: Yes, probably an email is all that’s required. No need to send bank certificate. Definitely DON’T send the “SSA-1199-OP 107”.

Interesting (again to me) when I started the research into changing my U.S. bank because I had no valid U.S. address. Gemini AI reinforced my paranoia about Chase closing my account. And highly recommended DD to BBL using “SSA-1199-OP 107”. Gemini said that was the best method. In-spite of having to access the BBL account in person to do any transfers. Because of account restrictions demanded by SSA. No phone/web access.

When I explained my situation to ChatGPT. It basically said to calm down and not be so paranoid about Chase closing account. And If I really wanted to change, suggested Schwab to Wise to BBL.

And gave me the impression that I was being overly concerned. ChatGPT highly recommended not to use “SSA-1199-OP 107” under any circumstance.

10 hours ago, Uncle John said:

If you have already set up a direct deposit (DD) from the Social Security Administration (SSA) to a U.S. bank, you can go online to the SSA website and change the recipient bank and account number.

I think that if you have updated your SSA account to have your Thailand address, you can no longer change the bank account to receive your SS benefits using the mySSA website. About 2 years after I moved to Thailand I wanted to move my SS benefit deposit from one US bank to another. I no longer had the option on mySSA to do that. I just emailed FBU Manila with the old and new details and they did the change. That was just about the only thing FBU Manila did correctly for both my wife and I.

17 minutes ago, WROBE said:

When the Schwab Intl. Account is setup with checking, Wise can withdraw. So monthly transfers will satisfy immigration.

I've had my Schwab brokerage account since '87. I didn't have to set it up to have checking privileges. But since that was 39 years ago... things may be different now. The other difference is that my Schwab account is still a domestic one.

20 minutes ago, WROBE said:

Interestingly (to me) its best NOT to use form “SSA-1199-OP 107” if you want a SSA direct deposit to a Thai bank. Because doing so could result in giving the receiving account heavily restricted access.

As far as I know, BBL is the only bank that applies restrictions to accounts that receive SS benefit transfers. Initially, BBL was the ONLY Thai bank that could receive electronic deposits of SS benefits. In 2019-2020 a new system of international direct deposit (IDD) became possible. It allowed recipients to use a normal savings account at any major Thai bank to receive their SS. I think BBL still offers the OLD direct deposit method that requires the receiving account be restricted to withdrawals in person. I believe you can also set up BBL to receive the new IDD into an account without those restrictions.

Edited May 30May 30 by gamb00ler

3 hours ago, flexomike said:

there is no charge on the US end, BKK bank will be between 200-500, I get about 94,000 baht a month and I think my charge is about 300 baht all in

The charge to receive a SWIFT is .25% with 200 minimum and 500 maximum.

On 5/26/2026 at 7:15 AM, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

US banks are allowed to use foreign addresses for accountholders who do not have a US address. I opened a Chase account using only my Thai address as I do not have a US address. My Thai address was printed on the checks and they along with a debit card were sent to me here in Thailand by FedEx. The Chase banking app works with my iPhone and Thai SIM and I also can use the online banking portal. The Patriot Act, which is often cited as prohibiting the use of a foreign address, does no such thing.

The bank officer at the Bangkok Bank branch where I have my account had no problem signing and stamping the SSA form 1199, If your local branch won't, ask the officer to call the head office for clarification.

Is this really possible ?? My previous bank (many years ago) just up and cancelled my long standing accounts there in the US because i only have a resident address in Thailand . (banking with Bangkok Bank for all that time)

If you can desciribe the process to open an account with Chase , as you did, or a link to the process....... i would apprciate it . (or PM me)

rumak

On 5/25/2026 at 5:31 PM, gamb00ler said:

If you don't need to show monthly international deposits for your extensions I would advise you get a Schwab international account. They accept Thai residents as customers. Then get your SSA benefit sent to Schwab. Schwab offers pretty competitive rates on money market type investments or CDs.

I thought that Schwab would only open a stock trading account for us US citizens residing in Thailand and with no US address .

If they really have option for MM or CD's (for sure) please restate that for me. And any info how to begin the International Account process ( i did look at the website previously and pretty sure they did not offer "banking"