The issue of immigrants is a hot political potato in the US. While on the one hand banks do not want to miss out on a large market, its clear from the under-noted, that some are dancing on the edge of legal issues by opening accounts for, in effect non-residents.

SUSAN TOMPOR: Hispanics live on fringe of U.S. banks

Unlike some banks that require a Social Security number, Chase allows Hispanic immigrants to use a Metricula Consular, a document of identity issued by the Mexican government, as one piece of identification to open a banking account.