It is possible to open a bank account in the U.S. from overseas. Mercantil Commercebank lets you do that (www.commercebankfl.com)

You'll only need:

1. Application to open a Personal International Bank Account, duly completed with all information requested for each account holder.

2. Original Signature Card, duly signed where indicated by each account holder.

3. Original W-8BEN Form, duly signed where indicated.

4. Customer Questionnaire completed by each new account holder.

5. Photocopy of Passport (legible and currently effective) for each
account holder.

6. Reference letter(s) - per account holder are required.
* Two (2) reference letters - per account holder from other banks

7. An initial deposit of at least US$3000 is required to open the account. Please refer to the Personal Banking International Fees for further information. This amount may be remitted to the Bank via any of the following:
* A check duly endorsed to the account holder, which must be remitted with the documents required to open the account
* Funds transferred from another financial institution upon receiving the account
opening notification

Once you have all the above-mentioned documents ready to open the account, send them to the following address:

Mercantil Commercebank, N.A.
General Services (PBI)
12496 NW 25th Street
Doral, Florida 33182 - USA

All the forms you need to fill out are downloadable from the bank's website. Your deposits at Mercantil Commercebank are insured, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Good luck!