In a matter of days, Representatives Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Joe Wilson (R-SC) will send an official letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner asking his support for Americans around the world who are 1) having difficulty opening or maintaining bank accounts in the United States and 2) finding that their foreign banks are reluctant to continue to serve them.
FAWCO and its partner organizations have actively contributed to efforts to fight the new Qualified Intermediary (QI) rules effective January 1, 2010, which make it burdensome for foreign banks to serve American citizens or greencard holders, and to assist overseas Americans denied financial services for lack of a U.S. address. Today, our best line of action is to urge our individual Congresspersons, and most particularly all current members of the Americans Abroad Caucus to co-sign this letter with Representatives Maloney and Wilson. Click here to find contact information for your Congressperson (under "Representatives" in the top left-hand column) and write or call today to ask his/her support to ensure that all Americans enjoy equal access to the same banking services. Ask your Representative to call the office of Congresswoman Maloney (5-7944) or Congressman Wilson (5-2452) and sign on to the letter to Secretary Geithner.
