You can thank Dodd-Frank and your liberal senators and congress for that mess.  It takes more paperwork to open a checking account than it does to buy a gun (which also takes too much paperwork).  Gone are the days where a bank employee can open an account for their neighbors and friends and other members of the community that they know without showing and having proof of ID.  Opening accounts for corporations, trust, and other entities is even more complicated as they are required to have certain minutes, articles of incorporation, by-laws, etc.  When I was a loan officer it was often a struggle to get deals closed because some people didn't understand why we needed (not wanted) all this information.  It wastes a lot of filing cabinet space and requires a lot of time to keep it updated.  The examiners love to check on those items because its easy for them.