That can happen.  One of my colleagues had this problem, except he solved it by not being American (he&#x27;d not returned a form which they&#x27;d sent, asking him to confirm his lack of American citizenship).<p>I expect the reporting requirements are a burden for small banks, especially ones competing heavily on price rather than offering a full service.  I&#x27;m not American, but am a similar burden to a bank, and was strongly advised to open an account only with the country&#x27;s largest bank.