I had the same issue. BDO’s strict corporate policies will not allow so we opened up accounts at Metro Bank. The account in my wife’s name with son as recipient (in trust for). Auto transfer.

 

Great, many thanks...

 

Secure account. Only wife can withdraw.
No ATM or checking allowed so we set up another dollar and peso account

 

Semper fi

 

If I recall correctly, the bank gives you a form you have to send to SSA. Back then Manila took care of it for me. A few months later the head of Manila SSA actually came to my house in Bacong for a visual check of my self and boy, probably because of my age and wanted to make sure my boy had some foreigner blood.

 

Yes same as my SSA account, The same guy came to my house last month... really appreciate the help as we were going to go bank to bank tomorrow, which can be difficult with the little man...

 

To open an account for SS that son receives, SS in Manila have a letter to take to the bank and a form for the bank to fill with the account information. BPI filled the form and I brought it back to SS in Manila, and applied for my son's SSN.
Another expat told me he did not have to travel to Manila. He used a courier service.

 

This is an interesting thread for me since I am about to relocate from Colorado to Dumaguete. I opened a BDO dollar account last year. From what I can understand SSA can do direct transfers to BDO? I am also a representative payee for my daughter. Does that mean opening a dollar account to MetroBank for another SSA transfer? Will the necessary paperwork come SSA Manila or the banks. Could somebody help outline the steps. Thanks.

 

BDO will not allow an account in a child’s name including for SSA transfer, even though your name is also on the SSA transfer.
I bank at BDO but have a Metro Bank account (a secure account - no checking or ATM allowed) in my wife and son’s name for the monthly SSA transfer. I believe the bank gives you a form for the account for you to send to SSA.