[NorwegianDude]

> Bank accounts themselves are not actually all that accessible

If you have a way to prove your ID(which basically everyone do in Norway) then bank accounts are very accessible and free. I don't know how many banks I have accounts at, but it's more than 15, and all you need is your ID and a couple of minutes to create an account.

[RMPR]

> If you have a way to prove your ID(which basically everyone do in Norway)

After going through the process of moving to Norway, I can say that unfortunately things are not that straightforward for foreigners. Even after getting your work permit, getting a personnummer can take up to several months after moving, not to mention getting an appointment with UDI can also take up to several months (in the meantime you'll feel like a lesser member of society, basic things like getting a library card are not accessible without it). After all there's a reason why this kind of service exist https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mpr_sua-techfasttrack-oslo-ac...

> then bank accounts are very accessible and free. I don't know how many banks I have accounts at, but it's more than 15, and all you need is your ID and a couple of minutes to create an account.

This only works when you already have a BankID. It takes at least 1 month to open your first account. Granted after that, everything is smooth, but oh boy how much time does it take.

[throwaway2037]

Where is your home country? Is the situation better or worse?

[ericfrazier]

ID and a decent credit report. I have been through times in my life where banks wouldn't give my spouse an account at all. No bank in Oregon or credit union would give her an account. To this day she still hasn't had a bank account in the last seven years. I can't even get a card in their name.

[NorwegianDude]

No idea how it's over there, but here there is no need for the bank to check your credit score unless you want credit.

A bank checking your credit score just because you want to create an account would be a huge invasion of privacy.

[throwaway2037]

    A bank checking your credit score just because you want to create an account would be a huge invasion of privacy.

Really? How else can a bank decide how much credit to extend you? Please bear in mind that allowing someone to have a bank account is part of the credit relationship.

[NorwegianDude]

If you need credit then they can and probably will check your credit.

There is no reason for the bank to check your credit score if you're only using your own money.

[porkbeer]

All banks use a credit reporting agency, a seperate one. You never discovering this just shows you and those you surround yourself with have never had to deal with it. Thats nice, but also a privliged and ignorant position.

[NorwegianDude]

If you think banks always check your credit score then you are just wrong, plain and simple. In Norway you'll always be notified when someone check your credit score, along with what data was provided, who requested it and when.

[throwaway2037]

It sounds like we are getting a thin slice of the full story. What made your spouse's situation unusual such that she could not get a bank account. I am finding some of these posts hard to believe.

[ericfrazier]

Bad credit rating and prior overdrafts is all it is. That's the complete story. Not even extensive overdrafts, like three a year before they lost their ability to get an account.

[dijit]

Depends on country a lot; in the Scandinavian countries there's a central identification database which links your entire identity including the registered address.

However, if I'm not from Norway/Sweden/Denmark then I'm not in that system yet.