I have been living in Switzerland since 2015, and I have a bank account with Credit Suisse. They sent me a FATCA form back in December, but since I already answered all the questions during a phone call I had with a bank agent in that same week, I assumed they wouldn't be needing the form anymore. Last week they blocked my bank account, and when I called them they told me it was because I hadn't returned the form.
I was just wondering how "normal" this is. (It is already the second time they blocked the account due to FATCA issues). I mean, couldn't they just have contacted me instead? The most annoying thing right now is that they require a signature from my partner who is away on a 2 week business trip, so I can't get to my account for at least another 1 week or so. And in the meantime my automatic payments (like credit card) get stalled as well. Is this "service" I can expect from any Swiss bank, or is it worth checking out other banking options?
Yes, it's clear that there's not much I can do at this point, but I'm just a bit flabbergasted by the situation. I have a personal banking adviser with this bank; the only reason I would need one, is to avoid issues like these. So I was just wondering if I wouldn't be better off with a bank that offers online banking only.
You seriously expect a Swiss bank to deal with Americans based on "yeah, well, client told me so on the phone" these days? LOL. As you probably noticed, most banks simply don't bother dealing with American clients anymore.
They probably only did all the questioning on the phone to find out whether it's worth sending you the form.
First of all, I am not a US citizen. I lived in the US until 2015, and according to FATCA regulations I am no longer considered a US person. My bank knows this.
Second of all, Credit Suisse sent me a letter with the subject "Abklärung der FATCA Status" in which they asked me to call them regarding this matter. In that phone call it was determined my FATCA status did not require any further actions. Hence my assumption that I didn't have to return the form.
OK, probably very stupid of me to assume things (I guess that is what people love to hear), but my question was just if it was worth checking out other banking options.
I have a bank account in a third country that will just report your account to US authorities if you fail to return the form. I have no problem with that.
Certainly, the Swiss banks have their hands dirty with illicit money from other countries and the state regulator is blind until an international backlash ensues:
As you are no longer an US person and the bank's buttocks is no longer on the line, it might be worth a try to go to your bank in person and with papertrail and explain this and ask for a couple of weeks "leeway" until your partner returns? Sometimes talking to the cow makes her moo, this being Switzerland and all?
I understand that, even if you are non US, but lived there and possessed a Green Card, it is 10 years before you no longer need to make any returns. The Swiss banks will treat you with extra caution as you may still have US interests there and the fines can be so big it's not worth them taking the risk. In fact they'll likely be happy if you close the account and move elsewhere.
i never had a GC, and 2016 was the last year i was required to file a US tax return (over the year 2015). I waited until 2017 to open bank accounts for my children, mentioned our US history and there was no problem (one account is with Credit Suisse, the other two with Kantonalbank). Credit Suisse knows I am no longer a US person.