I am not sure what you need to start, but if I was starting I would start in really small towns. Towns with less than a 100 people, and no bank. That way pretty much you got your whole town at your bank. Then when that is going good you expand to nearby towns. Then its just time before your a national bank. I would do this because I am from a small town like that and when there is no bank it is frustrating haha
Just out of curiosity, what does anyone know what it would take to have a bank outside the united states and then bring it into the states? Is this even possible?
The first bank started just like the one you are triing to start. The only determining factor is how bad do you want it? screw all the laws and every reason you can't open your own bank. If you can't open a bank open a credit union instead. All you need is a bussiness license to open one of those check cashing places. If you can somehow become certain in your mind that this is possible and then put blinders on and put energy toward your goal. It will happen. Be Bold my friend and mighty forces will come to your aid.
To run a bank in the US you have to follow all the American regulations. So, other than the advantage of already having capitalisation, you're not saving any work by starting elsewhere. Someone else's suggestion of a small community bank is really the only option unless you are sitting on a massive pile of cash.