Just went through this whole thread… never needed an Israeli bank acct, but now with kollel check & bituach leumi… seems like I'll have to take the plunge anybody have any updated info or what I've read here is pretty much what's going on now? I live right near paran so that'll obviously be the easiest for me. I pay my Baal Dirah by depositing money into his hapoalim acct so it'd prob be most convenient to use them any reason I shouldn't? Where do I have to go to open the acct? Can I avoid signing a w-9 in any bank? Is there any reason I should care to sign one? Will it affect things which I have only because I reside in the states such as Medicaid? Any & all info would be greatly appreciated thx in advance