Checking Account Help

gluck

Senior member
Oct 29, 2003
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Need to get a checking acct. Can't setup direct deposit. Which would be best bet ?
Low or no minimun balance would be good.
 

MrBond

Diamond Member
Feb 5, 2000
9,911
1
76
Check local banks, that's what I did when I needed a second account. National City gave me the best deal (no minimum, free online checking, debit card), plus they have a branch close by to me (where the tellers are complete bitches, but that's another story)
 

Drakkon

Diamond Member
Aug 14, 2001
8,401
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you want no montly balance with no direct deposit?
If you want free checking your going to have to have one or the other...otherwise your going to have to pay....but check with your local credit union...they will have the best rates usually (especially if you plan to buy house/car/equity in the coming years)
 

Coquito

Diamond Member
Nov 30, 2003
8,559
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My bank, Greenpoint(just purchased by Northfork) offers absolutely free checking, with no minimum. They also offer decent interest rates on minimum balance checking accounts. This is in the ny/nj area.
 

ActuaryTm

Diamond Member
Mar 30, 2003
6,858
12
81
Originally posted by: Coquito
My bank, Greenpoint(just purchased by Northfork) offers absolutely free checking, with no minimum. They also offer decent interest rates on minimum balance checking accounts. This is in the ny/nj area.
There is no information on their site regarding such, but I imagine Direct Deposit is required (which the original poster mentions is not an option).
 

Coquito

Diamond Member
Nov 30, 2003
8,559
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Originally posted by: ActuaryTm
Originally posted by: Coquito
My bank, Greenpoint(just purchased by Northfork) offers absolutely free checking, with no minimum. They also offer decent interest rates on minimum balance checking accounts. This is in the ny/nj area.
There is no information on their site regarding such, but I imagine Direct Deposit is required (which the original poster mentions is not an option).


I have one savings & two checking accounts with them. I've never used any sort of direct deposit.

Text

They even give you a random set of tupperware/wrenches, a little stuffed dog, & a cute smile as they shuffle off in their high heels to grab you a silly portfolio that you're never going to use.
 

ActuaryTm

Diamond Member
Mar 30, 2003
6,858
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81
Originally posted by: Coquito
I have one savings & two checking accounts with them. I've never used any sort of direct deposit.
Surprising. The competition of the multitude of banks (especially in the tri-state area) must be forcing that sort of change.

Edit: I realize rereading my prior post, it may have seemed unclear. I never doubted the checking was free, but their site makes no mention of the requirements (beyond an initial deposit of $50), and they do not offer online account creation, and thus there was no way to determine such.
 

Coquito

Diamond Member
Nov 30, 2003
8,559
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Originally posted by: ActuaryTm
Originally posted by: Coquito
I have one savings & two checking accounts with them. I've never used any sort of direct deposit.
Surprising. The competition of the multitude of banks (especially in the tri-state area) must be forcing that sort of change.

They're not that big, & since they were just bought out, there have been alot of changes. They're still letting current branches operate under the Greenpoint name & service, so maybe things will stay mostly the same.

One thing that did change, was the free one point internet banking. You can pay to use it to take care of bills online, or you can use the free version just to manage your accounts. Since the site was renovated, my free online banking doesn't recognize my login information. :|
 

xospec1alk

Diamond Member
Mar 4, 2002
4,329
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go with citibank. they have tons of branches and as long as you have direct deposit, theres no minimum, plus you can swing a free ipod.
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
79,103
462
136
Two people suggested CitiBank and receive FREE $200 or a free iPod but those usually require a minimum deposit of $1,500 - $2,500. I highly doubt gluck has this money laying around. If he does I would definitely choose CitiBank.

Otherwise ActuaryTm has the best suggestion open an account with a local credit union and direct deposit will not be a problem.

CU's aren't the perfect solution for everyone though. If you like a bank with several branches, 24/7 phone banking and thousands of ATM's you should look for a nationwide bank. If that's what you're looking for - check out Washington Mutual.
 

gluck

Senior member
Oct 29, 2003
708
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Originally posted by: RossMAN
Two people suggested CitiBank and receive FREE $200 or a free iPod but those usually require a minimum deposit of $1,500 - $2,500. I highly doubt gluck has this money laying around. If he does I would definitely choose CitiBank.

Otherwise ActuaryTm has the best suggestion open an account with a local credit union and direct deposit will not be a problem.

CU's aren't the perfect solution for everyone though. If you like a bank with several branches, 24/7 phone banking and thousands of ATM's you should look for a nationwide bank. If that's what you're looking for - check out Washington Mutual.

Actually I do have a savings acct. with Citibank with like 3K sitting in it. I never used it coz its a savings with no checks. The Ipod or $200 is kool.

How do I get the Ipod ?
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
79,103
462
136
Originally posted by: gluck
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Two people suggested CitiBank and receive FREE $200 or a free iPod but those usually require a minimum deposit of $1,500 - $2,500. I highly doubt gluck has this money laying around. If he does I would definitely choose CitiBank.

Otherwise ActuaryTm has the best suggestion open an account with a local credit union and direct deposit will not be a problem.

CU's aren't the perfect solution for everyone though. If you like a bank with several branches, 24/7 phone banking and thousands of ATM's you should look for a nationwide bank. If that's what you're looking for - check out Washington Mutual.

Actually I do have a savings acct. with Citibank with like 3K sitting in it. I never used it coz its a savings with no checks. The Ipod or $200 is kool.

How do I get the Ipod ?

I believe you have to be a NEW CitiBank customer :(

Got a sibling or girlfriend who can open an account for you?
 

gluck

Senior member
Oct 29, 2003
708
0
0
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Originally posted by: gluck
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Two people suggested CitiBank and receive FREE $200 or a free iPod but those usually require a minimum deposit of $1,500 - $2,500. I highly doubt gluck has this money laying around. If he does I would definitely choose CitiBank.

Otherwise ActuaryTm has the best suggestion open an account with a local credit union and direct deposit will not be a problem.

CU's aren't the perfect solution for everyone though. If you like a bank with several branches, 24/7 phone banking and thousands of ATM's you should look for a nationwide bank. If that's what you're looking for - check out Washington Mutual.

Actually I do have a savings acct. with Citibank with like 3K sitting in it. I never used it coz its a savings with no checks. The Ipod or $200 is kool.

How do I get the Ipod ?

I believe you have to be a NEW CitiBank customer :(

Got a sibling or girlfriend who can open an account for you?

How could someone else open an account for me. Dont' get it ?