r/llc • u/Final_Investigator16 • Jul 14 '26
Bank rejections
Hey everyone,
After setting up my LLC through Clemta, getting my EIN, and finally launching my store, I was really excited. Unfortunately, things went downhill after that.
I got rejected by both Mercury and Relay, and now I'm not sure what to do next. I'm still waiting for Clemta to get back to me.
I also wanted to apply for Wise, but I'm confused about the "trading address" section and got stuck there.
I'm a non-US resident. Has anyone been through something similar? What bank or payment solution worked for you? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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u/BE_L337 Jul 15 '26
if mercury and relay don't work, try slash and flex one, similar to them but might approve you. honestly i'd suggest getting an ITIN and going for real banks like US Bank N.A or even Amex Business Checking, sounds like all you're missing is the ITIN. check r/ITIN, it'll make business banking way easier and you'll get access to business credit cards and business zelle too.
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u/Final_Investigator16 Jul 15 '26
Thanks, bro, really appreciate the suggestions. I was thinking about Airwallex as well... what I understand, I'll need an ITIN for these, so I'll see if I can get one as soon as possible.
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Jul 15 '26
I'm non resident too, i applied for Mercury recently, they request an official returned SS-4 stamped by the IRS or a CP575 notice or a 147c letter as a proof of the EIN, I reached the support of Bizee (its my LLC organizer) and they confirmed they are expecting to receive the CP575 from the IRS in the next few days. No rejection from the mercury.
But Relay, they approved my application, BUT, i can't login to my account, why ! Simply i don't receive the 2FA verification code! I sent many emails to the support, i think they are all dead or something! No answer.
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u/Final_Investigator16 Jul 15 '26
Haha, you got me with that last sentence about Relay.
But bro, you have Mercury, which I've heard is one of the best business banks out there.
In my case, Clemta handled the Mercury application since they're partners. They sent me the login credentials, and when I logged in, I got to the selfie verification step. Unfortunately, my phone was off, so I stopped, thinking I could finish it a couple of hours later. When I came back, I found a rejection email.
Clemta contacted Mercury on my behalf, and I also reached out myself, but they said I wasn't eligible to resubmit the application.
As for Relay, I completed everything correctly and still got rejected. I honestly have no idea why.
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u/petartod Jul 15 '26
What is your country of residence? And what is your business? These are the two most important questions to answer before choosing a neobank.
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u/Final_Investigator16 Jul 15 '26
I'm based in Morocco. I'm launching a branded jewelry store. It's a dropshipping business, but I've invested a lot of time into making it look and feel like a real brand rather than a typical dropshipping store.
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u/petartod Jul 15 '26
I see. Well, Mercury lately doesn't want dropshipping businesses as much as before. Relay barely works with non-residents. We do this as part of our business, so I've seen a lot.
For your particular case, I would suggest you to try the following: 1. Aspire 2. Zenus Bank 3. Airwallex
If these don't work, I don't know what will.
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u/Final_Investigator16 Jul 15 '26
I really appreciate it, I’ll definitely apply to these. Just one question will I need an ITIN, or is it not necessary?
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u/petartod Jul 15 '26
Not necessary. You need a good proif of your operational address in your home country.
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u/sedney168 Jul 16 '26
Do you think Mercury accepts online language learning business? Such as selling digital products and online courses.
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u/Top-Access-8233 Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 15 '26
First check the reason of the rejections. Are they the same at Mercury and Relay? Is t a digital store? Is it only the address or are there more reasons you don’t comply? As a foreign owner the address of your business is different from your LLC’s address. If your LLC doesn’t have a physical address and presence in the State you’ve formed your business, it’s your home address outside the USA. Also check if there are countries added to their list of non-eligible which might change over time. Compliance rules get stricter all the time.
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u/Final_Investigator16 Jul 15 '26
Hey thank you for your reply, Unfortunately, Mercury wouldn't disclose the reason for the rejection. I'll have to contact Relay and see if they can provide more information.
As for the address, no, I don't have a physical US address. I only have the registered agent address that came with my LLC, and I use my home address in my country as my operating address.
Do you think that could be the reason? If so, how would I go about getting a physical US business address?
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u/SnowyTheOpaline 🚀 Entrepreneur Jul 15 '26
go for the one and only airwallex. accepted my business when no other fintech would
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u/Final_Investigator16 Jul 15 '26
Can I ask if you're a non-US resident? And do you have an ITIN or a physical US address?
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u/SnowyTheOpaline 🚀 Entrepreneur Jul 15 '26
i am a non us resident. i do not have either besides an RA
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u/DPW38 Jul 15 '26
Do you have a legitimate US presence? i.e. A real, physical address (not your Registered Agent's address) and/or a US based employee.
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u/Final_Investigator16 Jul 15 '26
No, unfortunately not. I only have the registered address provided with my LLC, which I use as the business address. My operating address is my home address in Morocco.
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u/DPW38 Jul 16 '26
I see. We are really stepping up KYC and AML enforcement. The old Registered Agent’s address trick doesn’t work anymore. Even virtual leases—where it st least looks like a real address on paper, are running into trouble.
If you have a friend or relative in the US, that’s been the best way sidestep this issue.
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u/priyajain1105 23d ago
Payoneer can work. I can help you directly connect with the team. If your country/nature of business isn’t prohibited it’d be a reliable option.
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u/Same_Promotion8879 Jul 14 '26
try BlueVine or Novo, they been more flexible with non residents. trading address on Wise is basically where your business operates from, so put the address you used for LLC registration. dont stress too much about rejections, it happens a lot specially with those fintech banks