keesio said:It may be the new FATCA regulations that the US is trying to force down other countries' necks. Makes it a pain for foreign banks to accommodate US citizens.
Actually, it has nothing to to with FATCA. My husband opened his account well before 2010. The first three branches he asked said it couldn't be done without a SIN. Branch #4 said no problem. Branch #4 said that this happens all of the time (i.e. branches not knowing how to handle account opening without a SIN). Branch #4 also said that your best bet is to go a branch in a part of the city with lots of immigrants because chances are that branch will know how to complete an account opening without a SIN.
So it seems to be a training / know-how issue rather than a regulatory issue.