Need to use an American bank in India? You’re not alone—plenty of people move between these two countries or need to handle US-linked money while living in India. But here’s the catch: not every US bank lets you just walk in and open an account on Indian soil. Only a handful have real branches or offices here, and they don’t always offer standard savings accounts like you’d expect in the States.
Some big names like Citibank have been around for decades, while others—like Bank of America—focus more on corporate clients now. As of 2025, your best bets for everyday banking are limited, but knowing which banks are here, what they offer, and how to use them can save you hours of headaches. Want to manage dollars, wire money, or just use a debit card that works in both countries? Understanding the lay of the land is key.
- Which American Banks are Present in India?
- How These Banks Serve Customers in India
- Online Banking: What Works and What Doesn’t
- Opening a US Bank Account from India: Is It Possible?
- Quick Tips for Using US Bank Services in India
Which American Banks are Present in India?
Let’s cut to the chase: out of all the banks from the US, only a handful actually have a real presence in India. Some focus on big corporate clients, while others allow regular folks to use their services. Here are the main players you’ll actually find if you’re searching for an American bank that operates in India.
- Citibank: Probably the most visible US bank in India. Citibank has been here since the early 1900s and, until recently, was one of the few to offer savings accounts, credit cards, and other retail banking products. In 2022, the consumer banking business was sold to Axis Bank, so now Citibank mainly handles corporate banking for big companies and financial institutions in India.
- Bank of America: They’ve been around since the 1960s, but don't expect to walk in and open a checking account. They mainly serve big multinational companies in India. If you’re a regular customer, you’re out of luck.
- JPMorgan Chase: It’s the world’s largest bank by market cap, but in India, their focus is all about corporate and investment banking. No services for individuals or small businesses.
- Wells Fargo: No branches for customers. They run backend support and tech operations from India, but you can’t get banking products here.
So, if you’re imagining a row of American banks alongside Indian ones in your local mall, that’s not the reality. Here's a look at how these banks are set up in India as of 2025:
| Bank Name | Branches in India | Retail Banking | Corporate Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citibank | Yes | No (passed to Axis Bank) | Yes |
| Bank of America | Yes | No | Yes |
| JPMorgan Chase | Yes | No | Yes |
| Wells Fargo | No (tech/logistics offices) | No | Limited (backend only) |
Other US banks, like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, are here for investment banking or support roles, but they don’t deal with day-to-day banking for consumers.
If you absolutely need personal banking with a US connection, your best shot is usually with an Indian bank that offers NRI (Non-Resident Indian) accounts or international banking services that link up with US banks for wire transfers or global account access.
How These Banks Serve Customers in India
Walk into a big city like Mumbai or Delhi, and you might spot a Citibank branch on a busy street. Right now, Citibank is the only major American bank still doing consumer banking in India, but things are changing. In 2022, Axis Bank bought Citibank’s Indian consumer division, so new accounts and credit cards through Citibank aren’t really a thing for regular folks anymore. However, Citibank still offers services for multinational companies, high-net-worth clients, and some legacy account holders.
J.P. Morgan Chase and Bank of America are also in India, but they focus on big business and investment banking, not regular checking or savings accounts for individuals. So, if you were hoping to open a J.P. Morgan Chase account and get a debit card, that’s off the table in India.
Here’s a snapshot of what the big American banks actually do here:
| Bank Name | Presence in India | Main Services Offered |
|---|---|---|
| Citibank | Major cities only | Corporate/wealth management, legacy consumer accounts |
| J.P. Morgan Chase | Mumbai, Bengaluru | Investment banking, corporate services |
| Bank of America | Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai | Corporate/commercial banking |
If you already have a US account, you can use their debit/credit cards in India, but be ready for international transaction fees and poor exchange rates. You might run into payment declines too, so always tell your bank you’re abroad.
- For corporate employees and expats, these banks help with salary transfers, bulk payments, and even business loans in dollars.
- Some let you open a non-resident account if you have strong US ties (like a Green Card or long-term work visa), but this is rare and comes with a lot of paperwork.
- For everything else—loans, personal accounts, or easy online transfers—Indian banks or US-based fintech apps often work better.
The bottom line: unless you’re working for a multinational or need to move big sums between countries, American banks in India won’t offer the full-service experience you might expect back home. But for business and high-net-worth clients, they’re still a solid bet for global financial needs.
Online Banking: What Works and What Doesn’t
When you jump into online banking between the US and India, things aren’t as smooth as you might hope. If you have an account with Citibank India, their online banking is decent—you can check balances, pay bills, and even transfer money within India. But here's the twist: you can’t access every Citibank US service from India. The tech is up-to-date, but the features aren’t identical to what users in the US get.
Say you’re hoping to use an American bank online platform for sending money directly to a US account or vice versa. Most US banks, like Wells Fargo and Bank of America, don’t even offer retail banking in India anymore. If you have an American bank account, you can log in from India, but extra fraud checks and security prompts might freeze you out if you’re not careful.
Here’s what usually works from India:
- Using your US-based bank’s online access to view balances and statements.
- Doing wire transfers or international payments (just expect big fees and slower timelines for US-India transfers).
- Mobile deposits for checks mailed to your US address (if your bank’s app supports it and you use a US-based mailing service).
And here’s what often does NOT work:
- Opening a brand-new US bank account from scratch, unless you’re in the US with all the right paperwork.
- Getting a debit card shipped to your Indian address—most banks just won’t do it.
- Using Zelle or Venmo to send money internationally. These services are locked to the US.
Citibank India lets you open Non-Resident External (NRE) or Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) accounts designed for Indians with ties to the US, but you still need to meet the paperwork requirements. Most other American banks deal only with big business clients here.
If your whole plan is to shift money, grab a solid international money transfer service like Wise or Remitly instead of depending on US bank online transfers—it’s usually faster and way cheaper. Don’t forget: always keep your US bank’s customer care number handy in case your account gets flagged for logging in from India.
Opening a US Bank Account from India: Is It Possible?
This question pops up all the time—can you actually open a US bank account while living in India? In short, it's tough, and usually not doable for everyday folks. American banks in India, like Citi and a few others, mostly focus on major companies or high net worth clients, not regular personal banking. American bank branches in India generally won’t let you open a typical US savings or checking account unless you already have a strong banking relationship or an international business with them.
So, what are your options if you need a US-based account while sitting in Mumbai or Delhi? Here’s what’s working in 2025:
- US Address Requirement: Nearly all US banks require a US address to open an account, even if you're banking online. They’ll usually ask for proof like a utility bill, lease agreement, or Social Security number. Yes, it can be a pain.
- International Student and Expat Programs: Some banks, like Bank of America and Wells Fargo, have specialized programs for students and professionals coming to the States. You typically apply in person after arriving in the US, not remotely from India.
- Online-Only Accounts: A few new digital banks and fintechs (think Wise, Revolut, Payoneer) let you hold dollars and get US account details, but these aren’t true US bank accounts—they’re more like e-wallets. They work for receiving international payments or making online purchases, but you won’t get full banking services or FDIC protection.
- NRIs and Indian Banks: If you’re an Indian citizen with NRI status, Indian banks like SBI and ICICI offer NRE/NRO accounts that let you hold dollars, send money to/from the US, and sometimes open accounts with US banks through partnerships. Again, you usually need to start the process in-person or by already being a customer.
Bottom line: unless you’ve got a US address and legal ties like a job, school admit, or green card, opening a regular US bank account from India is a challenge. If anyone offers to “open a real US account online, no questions asked,” that’s usually sketchy or not a true bank. Stick to official channels and check the fine print before sharing your info or cash.
Quick Tips for Using US Bank Services in India
Using an American bank while you’re in India isn’t as straightforward as you’d hope, but you can work around most of the big pain points if you plan smarter. Here’s what works in real life for travelers, NRIs, students, and anyone else juggling US and Indian finances.
- Stick with international names: Citibank is the biggest American bank left with actual branches for consumers (especially in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore). They offer everything from NRI accounts to dollar-linked deposits. Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase have an India presence, but they focus mainly on businesses so don’t expect to open a personal checking account there.
- Don’t expect walk-in service: Even at Citibank, personal banking has become trickier as of 2025—many branches now cater just to high-net-worth clients. For most users, online support or phone banking is your go-to.
- Watch out for ATM fees: Using your US-issued debit card at an Indian ATM means double fees—one from your American bank, one from the Indian ATM network. Stick to fewer, larger withdrawals or check if your bank is part of any global fee-free networks.
- For online banking: Services like wire transfers, bill pay, and credit card management usually still work through your regular US account online or the banking app—just make sure it works abroad and keep your two-factor authentication settings up to date for India.
- Opening a US account in India isn’t easy: You generally need a US address and SSN to open a new account, and banks will freeze accounts if logins look suspicious. If you’re moving to India, keep your US SIM card and “home” address active to avoid being locked out.
- For big money moves: Go through legal banking channels (like SWIFT wire transfers or official NRI accounts). Avoid using random apps to send large sums, or you could face delays or regulatory headaches.
- Always keep documents updated: Both Indian and US authorities want up-to-date KYC info. If your address, phone, or passport details change, update both banks—problems here can freeze both Indian and US accounts.
The safest way is to use your Indian account for everyday stuff and your US account for savings or international transfers. With a bit of planning, you can avoid most gotchas and keep your money moving smartly between the two countries.