The only way to open a Live Oak Bank account is online and you have to be a US citizen or a permanent resident with a Social Security Number. You just need to go to the website and click on the ‘Get Started’ button. You can then choose the type of product you wish to sign up for.
There are just three steps in the application process. This sees you initially entering a variety of personal information and your contact details, including your full name, home address, Social Security Number, and phone number.
Live Oak Bank will verify the information that you have provided and will sometimes request you to upload a scan of certain documents. Your next step will be to choose a username and password and double-check your mobile number and email address. Live Oak Bank will send you a code by email that you need to enter to verify this address.
Then you can add money to your new account with an ACH transfer. You can send money from another Live Oak Bank account or an external account that you process. It can take 1-2 business days for the money to process.
There’s also the ability to deposit a check through the Live Oak Bank app or to send it by mail. Finally, a typical wire transfer is also an option. Adding a beneficiary or co-owner to the account is possible after you’ve deposited funds.