@rl50 from your post I am not clear as to what you are trying to achieve. As a US person you are required to report ALL foreign financial accounts either owned or with signature authority. The threshold for this recognition is US$10,000 either on the last day of the year or essentially at any time during the year. Considering that the penalty for non-reporting is quite onerous and that there is no tax consequences for reporting, it is safer to file form 114 ( FinCen.gov ) rather than take a chance i.e. when in doubt , file the form.
Your post suggests that you do not wish to file this unless absolutely sure that there is a need i.e. the threshold has been met.. Note that IRS does get info on substantially all foreign bank accounts controlled by US persons ( normal part of finacila information exchange between US and most countries.
So please file the form.
Is there more I can do for you ?
pk
