Nefesh BNefesh

As new Olim, most banks will offer you a discount on bank fees when you open an account, on the condition that you present your Teudat Zehut. (Please note that some banks may also request a Teudat Oleh upon opening a bank account in order to be eligible for the bank's Oleh discount.)

You can find a listing of banks that offer discounts on the NBN Business Directory. For a helpful glossary of banking terms in Hebrew, please click here.

You will need the following documents:

1.Teudat Zehut

2. Passport from your country of origin

3. Cash, credit card, or check to make a deposit into your new account

What you will receive:

1. Bank account number (US dollar or Israeli shekel account)

2. Instructions for online banking

3. Opening statement with your bank account number and branch details

4. Check books

5. Application for a credit card

Important notes:

1. If you are married, your spouse must be present in order to open a joint account.

2. You must make an initial deposit in the account. Misrad Haklita is unable to transfer Sal Klita payments to an inactive account.

3. Please ask for written confirmation of your bank account details.  Otherwise, you will need to return to the bank to obtain your bank account details for Misrad Haklita.

Below you will find five of the major banks in Israel, each of which offers various personal banking options, including mortgages. As an Oleh, it is important to open a bank account as soon as possible after your Aliyah, in order to begin receiving many of your Oleh benefits.

Tips:

• You must be a customer of the bank in order to use the direct phone number service. You will not be able to open a new account over the telephone.
• You may open a bank account with your Teudat Oleh. Some banks may require that you present a Teudat Zehut, but strictly speaking you are entitled to open the account with just the Teudat Oleh.
• Checks from abroad usually take three to four weeks to clear.
• All banks listed below have a mortgage department.

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