James is opening a checking account. The bank employees do not know him personally, and he has forgotten his identification. Can he open the account anyway, and use the ID later when he gets his debit card?

Legally speaking? No. When you go to the bank to open up an account, you need a birth certificate, social security card, etc. There's a process to it. Many banks will not allow you to open an account without your needed information, even if they do know you personally (my mom worked at a bank ...)