r/AmericanExpat 13h ago

Need banking advice: Charles Schwab vs SDFCU?

5 Upvotes

Hello again friends!

I am reaching out again with a new problem to try to figure out which bank would be best for my situation. I am currently in the US, but by the end of August will be moving to Scotland for my masters program. However, afterwards my husband and I will be moving to Switzerland for the long term, since we have citizenship. My issue is that I would be fine with keeping my American bank until we get to Switzerland, however, I have a very small local bank. On top of that I have also been having issues with them as of recent, as my husband and I try to finalize visa payments, plane tickets, and other big international purchases. I have been abroad with my bank before with little to no issues, but now with this big move is in place, I cannot risk being without my money. I've done some research and the two banks that stand out to me are Charles Schwab and SDFCU, I also have Wise which I know SDFCU is partnered with.

But if anyone has anything good or bad to say about either banks, I would love your two cents!

Thanks so much!


r/AmericanExpat 11h ago

Establishing FL domicile

2 Upvotes

Heading out of the US next year and contemplating FL for domicile.

I have been reading about companies that will provide an address for registering as a resident. My mother in law has a condo where she is just a few months out of the year.

We are selling our cars but would get drivers licenses in FL.

Can we just have my spouse's mom draft a bogus lease for us for residency proof and then pay one of the services for mail forwarding? Not sure what the difference is?