STX Bank

i use the kingshill post office by default, years ago we lucked out and inheireted(sp) a po box in the bank of boxes by the corner store and so our address is kingshill, i use the bank of st croix and have had for years but their online bill pay is not free so to get around that i do it in reverse and go to the websites of whomever is owed and authorize payment that way, i pay wapa and innovative in person and in cash and get a receipt. you're going to need a local address, id and social security card, to set up a po box they want id and social, to set up utilities in your name if you do not own the place you need a letter of permission from the owner or at least my caretaker did here on my house years ago we he lived here, i let him live here for free while we were in the states but all utilities had to be in his name

We just opened an account at Bank of St. Croix and have been very happy with the service. The people we have dealt with there are friendly and it never seems that crowded. We bank at the Peters Rest branch--they have drive through, ATM & walk in at that branch. They also have an Internet bill paying service. I haven't tried it, but it looks like there is a $5.00 monthly charge for the service, which gets you 10 bills per month, each bill after that is $.50. When we opened our account, I know we needed two forms of picture ID (I took my NJ drivers license and passport), I don't believe we needed anything else, but I couldn't swear to it.

We also have an account at Scotia bank, which is okay, but seems a bit more crowded and fussier about identification. We got a security deposit box there on Friday and we needed 2 forms of picture ID, our Social Security cards and a bill with our local address on it--even though we have had a checking account with them for 3 years. We wrote a check to a guy who recently tiled our bathroom on the Scotia account and the bank called us to make sure we wrote it. I guess it's nice for us to know that our money is being watched so carefully, but I don't like the fact that a good vendor of ours had to go through the hassle of the check verification.

I don't have any experience with 1st Bank, but they seem to have a lot of branches and might be worth checking out, particularly if you don't know where you will be living permanently. I hope this helps. Best of luck! KJ

Another option is to keep your stateside bank. I've lived here for over 5 years and have kept our bank stateside and have never had a real problem. We had one landlady that complained our checks took ten days to clear so we gave her rent 10 days early. That has been our one problem in 5 years, no bats an eye at it.

The advantage to keeping your stateside bank (if you have a great one like we do) is the banks here are not the biggest on customer service and most are not on the internet. I know first bank has internet banking, but that is the only major bank that has it. If you go into a bank here chances are you will be waiting in line a minimum of 20 minutes on a good day. If you job has direct deposit then you do not even have to mail in you paychecks. Also if you have IRA or other retirements saving, credit cards, bills that automatically deduct from your current account it is a pain to change it all and unnecessary. The local bank ATMs here do not even charge a fee to pull out money.

Just another option...

I have been happy with the Bank of STX. Their staff is both competent and friendly. In three years there has never been a problem with my account. Bank accounts are expensive down here. As far as I know there is no such thing as a "free checking account" on STX. I use a stateside bank for my on line bill paying. Bank of STX does have this feature but it costs you. I do monitor my checking account on line for no charge.

They do not offer automatic lines of credit or overdraft protection so be sure you balance your checking account.

At the present time their ATM machines won't accept deposits so you have go inside or to the walk up window. The Gallows Bay branch does not have a drive up window.

The Bank of STX does not have a public notary. You will have to get your documents notarized elsewhere. If you are not a customer of the insurance agency or bank, having your signature notarized will cost you$5. Living in the VI you seem to need a notary regularly so find one.

The best two pieces of ID to have are your SS card and a passport. If you can't find your SS card plan on getting it replaced. It is an important piece of ID in the VI. You can argue all you want about if you can be forced to produce a SS card for ID, but it is often easier just to show whomever is asking your card and get about your business.

Jim

bank of stx is free if you keep a min of 2000 but online banking still costs 5 a month

1st Bank has free checking if you keep a $1000 min balance.

We just set up an acct w/ Bank of STX 3 months ago. I really like the Peter's Rest branch. Tamara helped us set up our acct. All I needed was passport & drivers license(i still have mine from OH). The branch @ Gallows Bay isn't as friendly. I was there yesterday & got major attitude...but that's what happens 😉 We use online bill pay & haven't had any problems so far.
Funny story.....I took out $100 from the atm @ Peter's Rest last weekend. When I got my receipt I checked my balance & noticed the slip said I only took out $60 from the atm. I thought it odd,so I had my husband read the slip & count the $$$ to make sure I wasn't crazy. NOPE......So I took out $100 from the ATM but my receipt only shows I took out $60!!
I still need to check to see if they caught that mistake.

If it was a mistake, what are you going to do?

I use Surf the net for a PO Box and am very happy with them. I have an account at First Bank, and have been happy with them as well. You will need DL and SS card. I have heard good things about Bank of St. Croix however, I have no personal experience with them.

Dante

If your driver's license has your SS# on it, do you still need your SS card?

Yep...Everyone seems to want you Social Security card everywhere you go. They will be particularly pleased if it is original, in mint condition, and unlaminated 🙂

Dante

The mythical holy grail of SS cards...you must be the one they've spoken of...