First, the minimum initial deposit for most banks is at least $10,000 ! To move that money outside the US, you're going ot have to tell the government about the transfer(s) - which defeats most of the reasons for having a foriegn bank account! The only good reason for doing so is to denominate the account in Swiss francs to escape a foreseen hyper-inflation of US dollars...
Then you'll have the pleasure of filling out the 1040 Long Form to tell the IRS of your brilliant move, and about your foriegn bank account! They may decide that it should all be treated as unreported earned income - uh-oh!...
Warning! If you carry more than $5000 in cash on your person or in your car then you are presumed to be a drug smuggler and your cash will be arrested - yes, your cash! Kiss it bye-bye!...
Privacy? Post 9/11? What country do you think you're living in?...
Generally, unless you have a couple of million dollars the cost of the bank account is prohibitive.
Same as you would at any bank. With the advent of computers, you make even be able to do it on line electronically.
