And I am not a German, but an erstwhile banker there. :)
Just talked to the Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt and helpful young lady
explained that it is indeed possible to open an account in Germany
without flying over.
Of course, the bank is interested in why the account is needed, etc.,
etc. and will not open an account for anyone automatically.
You chould contact the bank (website below) to ask for the necessary
forms, explaining your need for the account. They will send you the
forms which need to be signed by you and verified in the one of their
offices in USA or at a consulate or the embassy.
Again, the bank may come back with questions. And perhaps you should
know that since April 1st, any govt. office that could be interested
in someone's financial status may do a "sweep" of all banks' accounts
to identify account holders. This sweep just identifies the accounts
of persons, does not allow the govt. authority to request info about
account activity, which requires a court order.
Probably other German banks will have the same requirements.
http://www.deutsche-bank.de/index_e.htm
Other major banks are Dresdner Bank, Commerzbank.
Good luck |