Err... what do you mean by 'Futures'?  Are these Stocks, Bonds, CDs (aka 'Fixed Deposits' in Malaysia), Mutual Funds (aka 'Unit Trusts')? What exactly?  I mean 'Futures' investments products are so damn generic here.

You mentioned 'bank account', is this just a 'Saving Account' that is somehow tied to your investments products listed above?

If it is your money, you have the right to withdraw anytime.. the only thing one has to worry is the banks may charge you a fee before the maturing dates or if have any gains (if it is dividends), Uncle Sam may want its portion for taxes.

Oh.. I see.  If your bro is going to be studying in US, of course it is possible to open a savings acct.

It was possible to open a saving account via Internet BEFORE 9/11 but now,.. it is virtually impossible.
The US Patriot Act now requires physical id and presence.

Your bro MUST BE physically be there to open a bank account (in traditional brick and mortar) bank.  Your bro (assuming he's on student visa) MUST ALSO first obtain the US Social Security Number (aka Tax ID), before he can open a bank account.  To open a joint account, you must also be physically presence in US.  The person with the US SSN will be the primary account holder. With the US SSN, your bro can open a investment account for stocks trading as well. If your bro is on student visa only, he's considered non-resident, therefore no tax withholding for capital gains. 

Well, despite what kind of investment tool I'm having in US, whatever investment I'm going to have in US, i will save all the money into a bank account.

My concern is my brother may be studying in US, I wonder if it's possible to open a saving account in US, which allows my brother withdrawing the money from this account at his convenience, without me being there.

Perhaps, I should open a joint saving account with my brother in order to let him withdraw money from this account?

Is it possible to apply and open a saving account in US via internet?

Sorry, I do not know the banking rules in UK or Hong Kong.

But, if you know the banks that you wanted to do business, feel free to call or email them.
Today, with the Internet, it is relatively easy to talk to foreign banks/investments brokerage customer service rep and ask questions without being physically presence.

For example: I managed to open an investment account with E-Trade without stepping a foot in US soil. Just through email and skype (for cheap phone calls).

Deb, dun think u need to fly all the way just to open a bank acc.
U can get your bro to open his own bank acc when he is there and u just TT the funds over. If U wanna transfer the investment funds over, then just make sure the investment acc is under your bro's name so that the funds can be transfer into it.

Else if u have 200k, go HSBC Malaysia, open their premier acc. If not mistaken, they will help u open a US HSBC acc.

ermm not sure about any countries banking rules but i think ya...hsbc can open for u uk and hk acc also. Gib them a call to enquire more.

ermm...not sure about joint acc. But i guess u can use your bro's atm card when u r in the state? Or open 1 when u r there, and ask him to transfer funds to your bank acn? I guess try hsbc...maybe they r ok wif joint acn. Not sure too

To clarify, I have emailed and talked (via skype) to banks in US but unfortunately, not able to open a new bank account without physical presence. They said that's the rule after 9/11.

I've talked to Investment Brokerages (eg. E-Trade and Ameritrade) - no problem opening an account with one of them for trading stocks because they are not a bank. They allow foreigners to buy/trade stocks. Just file the proper paperwork and TT them the money into your account.

FYI. A US Bank Savings Account is not the same as an Investment Account.
Bank deposits are guaranteed by US FDIC (kinda like an semi-govt insurance company),
and stocks equities ownership are guaranteed by SIPC (as legal custodian, not their value).

Some investment brokerage accounts do have a pseudo-savings-account feature.. they call it Money Market,
which give you interests (very little) if you have Cash balance. One can definitely treat this like a saving
account if you wish and can withdraw anytime.

Btw, right now, with such low interest rates, no point opening a saving account in US for purpose of saving.

Better open an investment account directly with license brokerage and you can buy those good value blue
chip stocks. There are risks of course... but now, good stocks out-perform the interests that you can get from any banks in this beaten down market. 

Careful there.. I wrote Investment BROKERAGES, not BANKS.   
(BANKS are different beast)

Go to the beginning of this thread and read a few pages..you can spot those companies names
posted by forumers who have successfully opened accounts with them.

Google their web site and find the contact info.
Then, just email or contact via their web page contact form or simply call them on the listed phone numbers.
Buy some Skype credits. this is best way to call US on the pennies.

Also look for this SIPC logo:

Read up on all the requirements (esp. if they cater for non-US residents) and make sure you understand all the fees structure before you sign on the dotted line and send them back the docs.

Come back and post question here if you don't understand the materials they've asked for. 

Before you start to trade any equities, make sure you understand all the risks involved. 

I'm longing C myself. I'm hoping it can recover back to USD30 in 3-5 years time.
It's a long shot but anything can happen in a few years time. 

Debbie, you can go for ETF but don't touch the 2x or 3x like Direxion and powershares.

Use simple ETF (which against a basket of selected companies)

Visit here for more understanding

http://education.wallstreetsurvivor.com/energy-etfs

bloody h3ll :

AMD keep on raising, and super stock today is VG. After hiding in cave for few days, now come out and in play again.

David, KLSE is getting boring every single day. No much action. Star performer is CIMB as always.

I am getting thoroughly sick and tired with KLSE.
I get more fun (and money) from the FTSE
I also trade fine wines on Livex (http://www.liv-ex.com/)

Im gradually getting out of KLSE. for 2 weeks, my holding been stagnant. moving up and down in 2cts region. What a shItty performance.

I will enter probably 100 or 200 shares once its back to 25 level.

yes, hell yes , better than that crappy fugly msports .

debbiesys - what brokerage are you using for KLSE stocks? Some of them allow you to trade NYSE stocks too.