Make your transition easy.

  • Open an account from Japan: While you’re in Japan, you can open an account and receive a debit/ATM card, even without a Social Security number (SSN). Make deposits before you leave home and then withdraw funds once you arrive in the U.S.
  • Bank easily in the U.S.: Get the $12 checking monthly maintenance fee waived as a GTS client, enjoy secure online and mobile banking, and get access to the Japanese Customer Service Unit (JCSU).
  • Manage the account after returning to Japan: Continue to get account help from the JCSU via a toll-free number. Check your account status via online banking.

View transcript

Other GTS account benefits

First two incoming wire transfer fees waived per statement period (domestic or international)

First four non-U.S. Bank ATM transaction fees waived per statement period1

Increased savings rates as your combined qualifying balances grow2 and $5 savings monthly maintenance fee waiver3 when you have both Bank Smartly® Checking and Bank Smartly® Savings

Eligibility

To qualify, you’ll need to:

  • Be 18 or older.
  • Have an account in good standing with Mitsubishi UFJ Bank.
  • Live in Japan when you apply for an account.
  • Move to the U.S. within 90 days for work, training or studying, or move overseas to work in a government/embassy entity.

How to apply for the GTS program

Note: This process can take as little as one week. However, you must complete steps 2 and 3 within 30 days after U.S. Bank receives the referral form, so please be mindful of the timing when sending the form.

Step 1

Go to the Mitsubishi UFJ Bank website and download the referral form. Fill it out and send it to Mitsubishi UFJ Bank along with the requested identification documents.

Step 2

Within seven business days, you’ll receive an email from U.S. Bank (usbank@notifications.usbank.com) with a link to apply for a deposit account. Fill out the application and submit it. The link is valid for 14 days.

Step 3

Within one business day of U.S. Bank receiving your application, you'll receive an email from InternationalVerification@usbank.com if:

  • Additional identity verification is required 
  • Information was missing from your application

If you aren’t required to submit additional information, your application will proceed to Step 4.

Step 4

If your application is approved, you’ll receive an email from U.S. Bank containing a digital signing package. This includes your approval letter with your account number, as well as information on setting up your account. To avoid account closure, provide your digital signature within seven days and add funds to your account within 60 days.

For more details on the application process, review the bilingual Account opening guide (PDF).

U.S. Bank products offered through GTS

A checking account will likely be your main account while in the U.S., as you can use it for payroll deposit and to take care of everyday shopping. Protect your longer-term funds in a savings account while you accrue interest on your money. For more information on features and pricing, check out Consumer Pricing Information under Useful materials below.

U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking

  • Deposit and withdraw money for daily spending; often used for payroll deposit
  • Access funds using a debit card, ATM, checks and online or mobile banking
  • Minimum opening deposit: $25 within 60 days of receiving your digital signing package via email
  • Get the $12 monthly maintenance fee waived as a GTS client

U.S. Bank Smartly® Savings

  • Protects and earns interest on your long-term funds
  • Access funds either via an ATM using your debit/ATM card or through mobile and online banking (no checks for this type of account)
  • Minimum opening deposit: $25 within 60 days of receiving your digital signing package via email
  • Monthly maintenance fee: $5, waived when paired with a Bank Smartly Checking® account

Elite Money Market

  • Offers all the benefits of a traditional checking account, but with tiered interest rates that earn more money the higher the tier, in exchange for maintaining higher balances 
  • Access funds using a debit card or checks
  • Minimum opening deposit: $100 within 60 days of receiving your digital signing package via email
  • Monthly maintenance fee: $10, waived for GTS clients who have a Bank Smartly Checking account and remain enrolled in Smart Rewards

Certificates of deposit (CDs)

  • Savings account designed for funds you won’t need to access for a while
  • Offers a higher interest rate than a traditional savings account, but you must leave your money untouched for an agreed-upon time or you’ll be charged a fee
  • Funds accessible through mobile and online banking (no debit cards or checks)
  • Minimum opening deposit: Varies
  • Account only available to GTS clients who open a Bank Smartly Checking, Bank Smartly Savings or Elite Money Market account first
U.S. Bank client remitting a wire

Looking for other information?

  • To learn how U.S. Bank provides secure ways to move money to and from a U.S. bank account, go to our remittance page.
  • If you’re already a GTS client, explore useful resources and information on the GTS home page.

Frequently asked questions

Application process

You have 14 calendar days from the time the link is sent to complete your application. If your link expires, you can request a new link up to 30 days after you receive the initial email.

If it’s not in your junk folder and it’s been more than seven business days since you mailed the referral form to Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, please call the U.S. Bank Japanese Customer Service Unit (contact information below).

Contact information is in the message that you receive when the link expires.

If your departure date to the U.S. is approximately within one month, it’s recommended that you put your U.S. address in the mailing address field. This will ensure that you receive anything mailed to you, as it may not make it to your Japanese address before you leave.

Otherwise, until you arrive in the United States, you should not provide the U.S. address on the application. After you arrive, you can contact the Japanese Customer Service Unit to make any necessary address adjustments.

If you’re a U.S. citizen, please make sure to provide your Social Security number in your application.

You’ll receive the approval letter/digital signing package within one business day after the application – including any additional information we’ve requested – has passed our review.

Yes. All accounts must initially be opened as individual ownership accounts, but after your account is opened, you can visit a branch or contact the JCSU (see contact information below) to add a signer to your account. The signer must be present to be added.

Upon receipt of your digital signing package, you’ll receive the electronic signature card – which you’ll need a U.S. or Japanese mobile phone number to complete – along with completion instructions. If you don’t submit your electronic signature card within seven calendar days, you’ll be mailed a paper signing package and have to complete a hard copy signature card.

Account funding

Your approval letter will contain instructions for funding your account. You can send funds via an international wire, deposit at a U.S. Bank branch (if you’re already within the U.S.) or send via mail. If you have a previous account with U.S. Bank, you can also do an internal transfer via online or mobile banking.

You must fund your account within 60 days of the date on your approval letter, or it will be closed.

You can contact internationalverification@usbank.com if you need additional time to fund your account.

If branch name and address are requested, please use the following:

  • Branch name: Global Transition Solutions
  • Address: 800 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55402

ATM/Debit card

A debit card is a card that can be used in ATM machines to deposit funds, withdraw cash and check your balances. It can also be used for everyday purchases instead of cash or checks, where the purchase comes directly out of your checking account. You can use your debit card to pay bills and make online purchases. 

To request a debit card, simply choose Yes for the debit card question on the application.

Your debit or ATM card will be sent by Express Mail and will take approximately 10 days to arrive in Japan (or one week within the U.S.).

If your departure date to the U.S. is approximately within one month, it’s recommended that you put your U.S. address in the mailing address field. This will ensure that you receive anything mailed to you, as it may not make it to your Japanese address before you leave.

Or wait until you’re in the U.S. to order your debit card, and then have it sent to that address.

You can set up your PIN through online banking. For detailed instructions, view the Online banking and PIN setup guide (PDF).

No, you don’t need a debit or ATM card.

U.S. Bank products

A checking account is typically used for day-to-day spending, paying your bills and payroll direct deposit. You can easily access your money with a debit card, ATM or check. A savings account is meant to help you grow your money or set aside funds for a big purchase. It’s often beneficial to have both as part of your financial plan.

Note that without a checking account, you may not be eligible for some GTS program benefits (see U.S. Bank products offered through GTS).

Smart Rewards® is our tiered rewards program that comes with the Bank Smartly Checking account at no cost. It’s based on the combined balances of all your qualifying accounts. As your balances grow, you automatically move up to the next tier and earn additional benefits.

Qualifying balances include consumer or trust accounts where the account is open and you are an account owner. Note: Balances in business accounts, commercial accounts, and the Trustee only (IFI), Grantor only (GRT) or Trustee & Grantor - Irrevocable Trust (TRG) client relationships do not qualify.

Useful materials4

Get more program information.

GTS program overview (EN) (PDF) Account opening guide (bilingual) (PDF) Online banking and PIN setup guide (PDF)

Explore documents for GTS clients.

Consumer Pricing Information (EN) (PDF) Consumer Pricing Information (JA) (PDF) U.S. Bank Japan Privacy Agreement (EN) (PDF) U.S. Bank Japan Privacy Agreement (JA) (PDF) U.S. Bank substitute form W-8BEN (EN) (PDF) Guide for U.S. Bank substitute form W-8BEN (JA) (PDF) Your Deposit Account Agreement (EN) (PDF)

Japanese Customer Service Unit

Our Japanese-speaking staff is available to answer questions about U.S. Bank products, account opening status and transactions.4

From within the United States
or a country other than Japan:

Telephone:
1-888-507-7669 (U.S. toll-free)
1-714-985-2136 (Standard calling charges apply.)

Fax:
1-866-236-9744 (U.S. toll-free)
1-714-985-2137 (Standard calling charges apply.)

Hours (U.S. Pacific time):
Monday to Friday: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

*Closed on some public holidays in the U.S.

From within Japan:

Telephone:
0120-628-320 (Japan toll-free)
1-714-985-2136 (Standard calling charges apply.)

Fax:
0066-33-814689 (Japan toll-free)
1-714-985-2137 (Standard calling charges apply.)

Hours (Japan Standard time):
Monday: 11 p.m. to midnight
Tuesday to Friday: Midnight to 11 a.m., 11 p.m. to midnight
Saturday: Midnight to 11 a.m.
Sunday: Closed

*Closed on some public holidays in the U.S.
**During U.S. DST from March to November, the time shifts forward by one hour.

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Disclosures

Refer to Your Deposit Account Agreement (PDF) and the Consumer Pricing Information (PDF) disclosure for a summary of fees, terms and conditions that apply.

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  1. ATM Transaction Fee. U.S. Bank will assess this fee for each ATM Transaction conducted at the Non-U.S. Bank ATM. This means that you may be charged more than one ATM Transaction fee at a Non-U.S. Bank ATM during a single ATM session. Non-U.S. Bank ATMs are defined as any ATM that does not display the U.S. Bank logo in any manner, physically on the ATM or digitally on the  screen.

    ATM Surcharge. Non-U.S. Bank ATM owners may apply a surcharge fee on ATM transactions at their ATMs. U.S. Bank participates in MoneyPass®, an ATM surcharge free network. To find MoneyPass ATM locations, select “visit the MoneyPass locator” at the bottom of our ATM locator search results to be taken to the MoneyPass website. If you use an ATM that uses the MoneyPass® Network and are charged a surcharge fee, please call us at 800-USBANKS (872-2657) for a refund of the surcharge fee. However, a Non-U.S. Bank ATM Transaction Fee may be assessed on transactions at a MoneyPass ATM.

    Please refer to the Consumer Pricing Information (PDF) disclosure section titled Miscellaneous Checking, Savings or Money Market Fees for a summary of ATM transaction fees.

  2. Today’s interest rates and APYs for the U.S. Bank Smartly Savings account, including the interest rate bump, are variable, determined at the bank’s discretion, and can change at any time, including after the account is opened. Today’s interest rates and APYs, including the rate bump, are accurate as of today’s date. A minimum opening deposit of $25 is required to open.

    The interest rates above are accurate for accounts opened on today’s date. If you have an existing U.S. Bank Smartly® Savings account, the advertised rates on the rate sheet may not apply. Log into your Online Banking or Mobile App to view your personalized account interest rate and interest rate bump or contact a banker. Select Products & Offers to see your personalized rates. This rate will also apply to any new U.S. Bank Smartly Savings accounts you open.

    Eligibility for an interest rate bump: An interest rate bump is applied to a U.S. Bank Smartly® Savings account when at least one account holder maintains a valid and in-good-standing eligible product. U.S. Bank Smartly® Savings accounts without a qualified and eligible associated denoted product will not receive an interest rate bump. The interest rate bump will vary based on Combined Qualifying Balances (CQB). One of the following eligible and in-good-standing products must be maintained:

    • U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking
    • Safe Debit account
    • U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card

    What eligible products are included in your CQB: The following products offered by U.S. Bank and its affiliates are eligible for inclusion in your CQB:

    • Consumer checking, money market, savings, Certificate of Deposits (CDs), and/or Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)
    • Personal Trust accounts
    • U.S. Bancorp Investments accounts
    • U.S. Bancorp Advisors brokerage accounts

    Note: Business and commercial products are never eligible.

    Qualified Balance: Funds on deposit in an eligible product, where you have ownership interest, are counted towards your CQB.

    • Examples of eligible customer to account relationship types, include, but are not limited to: Individual owner, joint owner, primary non-signer.

    Conversely, funds on deposit in an eligible product that do not grant ownership interest, are not counted towards your CQB.

    • Examples of ineligible customer to account relationship types, include, but are not limited to: Trustee (IFI), Grantor (GRT), all Irrevocable Trust roles, Payable on Death, Representative Payee, Guardian.

    How is your CQB calculated: For jointly owned U.S. Bank Smartly Savings accounts, each owner’s qualifying balances will be reviewed. If applicable, the owner with the highest CQB will be used to determine the Smartly Interest Rate Bump Tier. The interest rate bump and balance range information will be visible to all owners on the joint account. There are two CQB calculations completed for every customer.

    • Monthly – Upon the opening of your first account, and thereafter at the beginning of each calendar month, your historical average CQB is calculated by summing all available previous days qualified balances and dividing by the number of days since the first eligible product was opened (90 calendar day maximum).
    • Daily – Each day your CQB is calculated by totaling your end of day qualified balance on deposit in an eligible product.

    How is your Smartly Interest Rate Bump Tier determined: After the eligible product verification is completed, on the next business day we will determine your Smartly Interest Rate Bump Tier. Your tier is based on the better of your daily or monthly CQB calculation. Once a tier has been assigned to you, it will not be downgraded for the remainder of that calendar month. However, at any point during a calendar month, you may receive a tier upgrade based upon your daily CQB. Assignment of an initial tier, monthly tier upgrade or downgrade, and/or daily tier upgrades generally are applied within five business days. For your individual accounts, your interest rate bump tier will be your tier (as described above). For joint accounts, the tier is assigned the highest tier associated with any account owner, if applicable. From there, within five business days, the interest rate bump is added to the standard interest rate to calculate the interest rate that will be applied to the entire account balance in the eligible U.S. Bank Smartly® Savings account. If the U.S. Bank Smartly® Savings account is closed, the interest rate bump will cease immediately, and accrued interest will not be paid. If the required eligible product (U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking, Safe Debit account or a U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card) is closed but the U.S. Bank Smartly® Savings account remains open, eligibility to receive an interest rate bump will remain valid until the end of the calendar month. Changes in the ownership structure of your U.S. Bank Smartly® Savings account or the required eligible product may result in immediate loss of the interest rate bump.

    Balance and interest information: You must maintain the minimum balance needed for each tier in order to earn the Annual Percentage Yield (APY) disclosed. All rates and APYs are subject to change after the account is opened. Fees could reduce earnings on the account. Interest rates currently offered on applicable deposit accounts are determined at the bank's discretion and may change daily. The daily balance is the balance at the end of each business day, equal to the beginning balance for that day plus the current business day credits, minus the current business day debits. Business days are Monday through Friday; federal holidays are not included. We use the daily balance method to calculate interest on all deposit accounts. This method applies a daily periodic rate to the principal in the account each day. Interest on your check deposit begins to accrue on the business day we receive credit for your applicable deposit accounts. Interest will be compounded daily and credited to your account monthly for all savings accounts, except Standard Savings, which is paid quarterly. If you close your account before interest is credited, you will not receive the accrued interest.

  3. Bank Smartly Savings account Monthly Maintenance Fee: The $5 monthly maintenance fee is waived when you are an owner of a Bank Smartly® Checking, Safe Debit account, Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card, or for accounts with a minor under the age of 18.

  4. Some materials and services may only be available in English.  一部サービスや資料は英語のみでの対応となるのでご了承ください。

Start of disclosure content

U.S. Bank is a separate bank from MUFG Bank, Ltd. In addition, MUFG Bank, Ltd. does not guarantee the bank's ability to pay deposits.

MUFG Bank, Ltd. is only referring you to U.S. Bank and does not market products or services on behalf of U.S. Bank. All transactions will be made directly with U.S. Bank. U.S. Bank may refuse to open an account for you despite a referral. After opening an account, it can be closed at the discretion of U.S. Bank.

MUFG Bank, Ltd. employees cannot explain the details of U.S. Bank products to customers. Contact U.S. Bank directly to learn about product details.

U.S. Bank deposits are not covered by the Japanese deposit insurance system. Transactions must be made by individuals 18 or older. For more information, please visit the U.S. Bank website or contact the Japanese Customer Service Unit.

U.S. Bank products and services are subject to change without notice. U.S. Bank services are targeted to U.S. residents. Japanese residents who do not plan to reside in the United States are not eligible to apply for the services described on this website.

Deposit products are offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC.