The process on this page is for expats who have already relocated to the U.S. If you are currently still in Japan and moving to the States, view the unique application process on this page.

Benefits of the GTS program

Bank easily in the United States.

  • Get the $12 checking monthly maintenance fee waived as a GTS client.
  • Complete everyday banking tasks securely from anywhere with online and mobile banking.
  • Contact the dedicated GTS Japanese Customer Service Unit (JCSU).

Keep your account after returning to Japan.

  • Continue to get account help from the JCSU via a toll-free number.
  • Check account status and other information with online banking.

Other GTS account benefits for employees

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

$5 savings monthly maintenance fee waiver2 when you have both Bank Smartly® Checking and Bank Smartly® Savings

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 Helpful documents below.

U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking

  • Payroll deposit account used for everyday expenses
  • 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

How to apply for the GTS program

Step 1

Select the button below and you’ll be taken to a form page. Fill out the form in English.

Step 2

Within three business days, we’ll email you with an invitation to apply for the U.S. Bank products that interest you. Using the custom link in that email, fill out one application for each product within 14 days of receiving the invitation.

Step 3

Within one business day of receiving your application, we may contact you if we need additional verification information. If this happens, please provide the requested information as soon as possible.

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 a process overview and tips, review the bilingual Account opening guide (PDF). While this guide was written for expats in Japan, the overall process applies to U.S.-based applicants as well.

For help completing your application, refer to the Japanese application guide (PDF) and the GTS U.S. applicants guide (PDF). 

Request to apply

Frequently asked questions

No, the GTS program does not cost anything. However, our products do have fees associated with them.3

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 received the initial invitation to apply email.

You can contact us via the information that you receive when the link has expired.

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.

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.

To learn more about Smart Rewards, please refer to the Consumer Pricing Information (PDF) under Helpful documents for more details.

Helpful documents4

Get more program information.

GTS program overview (EN) (PDF) GTS program overview (JA) (PDF) Account opening guide (PDF) Application reference guide (PDF) GTS U.S. applicants guide (PDF)

Explore documents for U.S.-based clients.

Consumer Pricing Information (EN) (PDF) Consumer Pricing Information (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

  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. 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.

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

  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。

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