Do you like your bank?

[Slick5150]

I recently switch to Schwab.com 's checking account. Its pretty great as long as you aren't someone that needs to go to an actual bank branch. You get 4% interest on your money, unlimited free checks, free ATM usage anywhere and they'll refund you any fees you get charged by the ATM operator, free bill pay, etc...

 

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: TitanDiddly

Originally posted by: thepd7

Originally posted by: akshatp

Originally posted by: TitanDiddly

Originally posted by: akshatp

Originally posted by: TitanDiddly
I've had enough of Chase's BS. Somebody recommend a good bank to me. I'm in East Texas, and I don't want BoA or Chase. WaMu's commericals make it look good, is it? What's this about credit unions?

What kind of problems did you have with them

Rape with fees.

Details please? Were you late on a payment? Did you go over your credit limit?

Also, did you physically go into a bank and talk to them? I have had about $100 in fees over the past 6 years given back. Probably $50 that stuck, but all of them were technically my fault.

Stuff that was given back: when I started getting charged for having under a certain amount which I never really knew about because we just changed it on a whim one day, etc.

Overdraft and stuff like that is pretty standard, I think WaMu has the 1 free overdraft but like I said Chase has been great every time I went in and talked to someone. There have been 3 times where I went in to Chase to close out all my accounts and walk out with cash and the people were so helpful that I will probably never leave them.

I was with Bank One before they were Chase, too.

Overdraft protection fees. I have a checking and savings account, and they charged me $10 to automatically transfer funds from savings to checking. Three times.

Outrageous non-chase ATM fees- $5 and up. There is a $2 fee for checking your balance at at non-chase ATM.

A $6 'service fee' with no explanation at all. I was told this was free checking- it's anything but.

I wouldn't mind so much if they stated these fees and policies in advance. But they don't- they just keep them secret until they silently slip them onto your statement and hope you don't notice. It's not honest. I want an honest bank, or at least something more honest than Chase.

I've gotten some of my fees back in the past, but they just don't change. They still charge me mystery fees with no explanation, and I've had it.

So were you overdrafting? If not, why would they be charging you overdraft protection fees?

Sorry to hear about the non-chase atm stuff, I live in Dallas and there are at least 100 branches in D/FW, I have a hard time NOT finding a chase branch, therefore I have never used a non-chase atm.

I also never check my balance at an ATM since it's just way easier to do all that online.

So they charged you $6, you went and talked to them about it and they never told you why? That seems like the charges I would get every once in a while if I accidentally went under $1k and I didn't realize they were going to start charging me then, they refunded that type of stuff.


Either way, sorry to hear you had a different experience than me, best of luck with the search, I have never heard of a bank (non CU) that wasn't bad on fees but hopefully you can find one you like better.

 

[pstylesss]

I was with BoA and hated them, they charged me tons of teller assistance fees and whatnot without any explanation as well. I switched to WaMu and love them. Customer service is always great, I had one overdraft fee and called them (was my miscalculation and it was a large amount) and they reversed the overdraft fee. The free checking, just like the commercials say, is actually free.

They also just redesigned their website and it looks nice. Online banking with them is great - everything is included.

 

[PokerGuy]

All the big banks (Chase, Citi, BoA etc) are the same. They've tapped out the market in terms of growth since the US market has pretty much been saturated, so they've all turned to insideous hidden fees and all sorts of ripoff charges to increase income. Bottom line, go with a small local bank or a credit union......

 

[burntfish]

i'm with HSBC for a little over 5 years and they treated me very well.

 

[lytalbayre]

Wells fargo. No major problems. No hidden fees.

 

[Goosemaster]

Chase has been rather "brutish" with me, but as people said, talk to them..it makes all the difference.

As far as having no soul, Chase and BB&T are as such for me.

On my list of favs are Chevy Chase (Local DC/MD/VA Bank) and my credit unions.


Yes I have a lot of accounts

 

[AgentJean]

Get a free wachovia checking account and then get a savings account with a eBank such as HSBC.

 

[Anonemous]

Wamu is pretty good, the overdraft fee of $30 isn't. Luckily they will waive those fees for 1-2 times/year if you call them up and ask.

 

[mcvickj]

Originally posted by: Excelsior
I wouldn't know, I use a credit union. And it kicks ass.

Same here. http://www.rrccu.org/ Only one in the world. I know just about every employee by name and vice versa. My only gripe is that they don't have an ATM. However that is about to change once the new building opens up in November.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: mcvickj

Originally posted by: Excelsior
I wouldn't know, I use a credit union. And it kicks ass.

Same here. http://www.rrccu.org/ Only one in the world. I know just about every employee by name and vice versa. My only gripe is that they don't have an ATM. However that is about to change once the new building opens up in November.

:laugh:

Our little ghetto-ass CU's are so funny sometimes....yet they always outperform the big guys when it comes to small time customers like me

Better service etc, even if they aren't' as convenient....one of my branches doesn't even give cash (they are about to start). They give you a check and send you across the street o a bigger bank...LOFL.

Even funnier is that they are the CU of probably the richest school county in the country..and they are still ghetto sometimes....they JUST got a decent building at one location this year...

 

[Svnla]

I am not a fan of Chase bank but why did the OP tolerate/accept all the fees?

I have a checking account with Chase for zero fee because I have direct deposit. I didn't have to pay Chase a dime in fee in my 1.5 years with them.

<<<----strongly believe in zero fee/no frill checking accounts at local branches and high paying savings/CD accounts at internet banks.

Edit: I also bank with Regions and Capital 1 with zero fees.

 

[TitanDiddly]

The first time all these fees popped up, I didn't tolerate them- it was $30 worth, so I sent them several VERY angry "So help me, I will switch to another bank right now" messages through their online message center and got the $30 back. Then it started happening again, and a wrote another very angry message- I went to send it and my session had timed out. I was pissed, then I saw that it said my message had been saved in my drafts folder- I logged in and it wasn't there at all. It seems like they're just doing everything that they can to make the little guy bend over and take it. As soon as I get the opportunity(overseas right now), I am going to switch. From what I've heard here, WaMu sounds good. I'll have to see if they have a branch(or and ATM) in my area. I've never used an ATM for anything beyond withdrawals- how easy is it to deposit checks at an ATM? Cash? How long does it take to clear? My school doesn't offer direct deposit for student workers, so I will have to deposit at least one check every two weeks. Sometimes it feels nice to go into a branch, though, when depositing several thousand dollars right after selling a vehicle for example. Sticking that much money into an ATM and walking away would make me nervous.

Also, can someone tell me more about credit unions? What makes them different from banks?

 

[novasatori]

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: Wapp
USAA ftw. The only way I could hate them was if they were to have sexual relations with my wife.

I'm going to look into USAA once I graduate (technically I can join now as a ROTC cadet, but I like my current bank but they aren't a national bank). But, does USAA have actual local branches? How does one, say, cash an actual check and whatnot? Are there branches on every base? Any off-base branches? Etc etc etc

I'm not a military member, I got in though my father, so I can't comment on locations.

I just mail checks, in the prepaid deposit envelopes the give.
Use my USAA CC to pay for stuff then pay my CC online via checking.

Anyways you should set up an account now, even if you don't use anything, much better to have one if you're eligible now, than risk losing eligibility...

Besides, its free!

 

[I Saw OJ]

Originally posted by: TitanDiddly
The first time all these fees popped up, I didn't tolerate them- it was $30 worth, so I sent them several VERY angry "So help me, I will switch to another bank right now" messages through their online message center and got the $30 back. Then it started happening again, and a wrote another very angry message- I went to send it and my session had timed out. I was pissed, then I saw that it said my message had been saved in my drafts folder- I logged in and it wasn't there at all. It seems like they're just doing everything that they can to make the little guy bend over and take it. As soon as I get the opportunity(overseas right now), I am going to switch. From what I've heard here, WaMu sounds good. I'll have to see if they have a branch(or and ATM) in my area. I've never used an ATM for anything beyond withdrawals- how easy is it to deposit checks at an ATM? Cash? How long does it take to clear? My school doesn't offer direct deposit for student workers, so I will have to deposit at least one check every two weeks. Sometimes it feels nice to go into a branch, though, when depositing several thousand dollars right after selling a vehicle for example. Sticking that much money into an ATM and walking away would make me nervous.

Also, can someone tell me more about credit unions? What makes them different from banks?

If you live in the US, there is a WaMu branch near you. They are all over.

 

[SSSnail]

With the universal default, raising your interest rates for whatever reasons they like, no bank is a good bank. I now keep my monies online, and am giving myself credit scores.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: novasatori

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: Wapp
USAA ftw. The only way I could hate them was if they were to have sexual relations with my wife.

I'm going to look into USAA once I graduate (technically I can join now as a ROTC cadet, but I like my current bank but they aren't a national bank). But, does USAA have actual local branches? How does one, say, cash an actual check and whatnot? Are there branches on every base? Any off-base branches? Etc etc etc

I'm not a military member, I got in though my father, so I can't comment on locations.

I just mail checks, in the prepaid deposit envelopes the give.
Use my USAA CC to pay for stuff then pay my CC online via checking.

Anyways you should set up an account now, even if you don't use anything, much better to have one if you're eligible now, than risk losing eligibility...

Besides, its free!

well I'll never lose eligibility, due to the fact that the Army now owns my blood, well now and for what is it, contractually 8 years after graduation? I'll be active (hopefully), and at worst reserve or NG, so I'll be able to open an account when I need. I like the convenience of my a branch being close to my home in my hometown and one down the street here on campus.

 

[Linflas]

I've been with my credit union since 1986. That pretty much says I am a satisfied customer.

 

[imported_Lothar]

Been using BoA for 5 years and have no problems with them.

I've heard good reports from Wells Fargo and US Bancorp.
Unfortunately, they're not in Maryland but I'm still pleased with BoA.

 

[Jadow]

I like HSBC. Use their online billpay and savings account. Have small account with $50 in it that I use for cashing paper checks I get locally.

 

[Linux23]

Originally posted by: Slick5150
I recently switch to Schwab.com 's checking account. Its pretty great as long as you aren't someone that needs to go to an actual bank branch. You get 4% interest on your money, unlimited free checks, free ATM usage anywhere and they'll refund you any fees you get charged by the ATM operator, free bill pay, etc...

what's the catch with this? this sounds too good to be true.

 

[sniperruff]

I have North Fork. They are decent... many many branches in NYC

 

[imported_Lothar]

Originally posted by: TitanDiddly

Originally posted by: thepd7

Originally posted by: akshatp

Originally posted by: TitanDiddly

Originally posted by: akshatp

Originally posted by: TitanDiddly
I've had enough of Chase's BS. Somebody recommend a good bank to me. I'm in East Texas, and I don't want BoA or Chase. WaMu's commericals make it look good, is it? What's this about credit unions?

What kind of problems did you have with them

Rape with fees.

Details please? Were you late on a payment? Did you go over your credit limit?

Also, did you physically go into a bank and talk to them? I have had about $100 in fees over the past 6 years given back. Probably $50 that stuck, but all of them were technically my fault.

Stuff that was given back: when I started getting charged for having under a certain amount which I never really knew about because we just changed it on a whim one day, etc.

Overdraft and stuff like that is pretty standard, I think WaMu has the 1 free overdraft but like I said Chase has been great every time I went in and talked to someone. There have been 3 times where I went in to Chase to close out all my accounts and walk out with cash and the people were so helpful that I will probably never leave them.

I was with Bank One before they were Chase, too.

Overdraft protection fees. I have a checking and savings account, and they charged me $10 to automatically transfer funds from savings to checking. Three times.

Outrageous non-chase ATM fees- $5 and up. There is a $2 fee for checking your balance at at non-chase ATM.

Chase doesn't have free online banking?
How hard is it to check online to see how much is in your accounts (if they have it)?

My online transfers from savings to checking (and vice versa) is almost immediately approved and credited to my account as long as it's on a business day before the 10:45PM cut-off time.

There is a BoA ATM almost everywhere I go. I have no need to worry about ATM fees.


It doesn't matter which bank you go to, you will still get raped in the ass with overdraft fees.
Overdraft protection seems to be a scam. I've heard so many stories of people getting screwed with them.

 

[TitanDiddly]

Originally posted by: I Saw OJ

Originally posted by: TitanDiddly
The first time all these fees popped up, I didn't tolerate them- it was $30 worth, so I sent them several VERY angry "So help me, I will switch to another bank right now" messages through their online message center and got the $30 back. Then it started happening again, and a wrote another very angry message- I went to send it and my session had timed out. I was pissed, then I saw that it said my message had been saved in my drafts folder- I logged in and it wasn't there at all. It seems like they're just doing everything that they can to make the little guy bend over and take it. As soon as I get the opportunity(overseas right now), I am going to switch. From what I've heard here, WaMu sounds good. I'll have to see if they have a branch(or and ATM) in my area. I've never used an ATM for anything beyond withdrawals- how easy is it to deposit checks at an ATM? Cash? How long does it take to clear? My school doesn't offer direct deposit for student workers, so I will have to deposit at least one check every two weeks. Sometimes it feels nice to go into a branch, though, when depositing several thousand dollars right after selling a vehicle for example. Sticking that much money into an ATM and walking away would make me nervous.

Also, can someone tell me more about credit unions? What makes them different from banks?

If you live in the US, there is a WaMu branch near you. They are all over.

Nearest one is ~100 mi, near Dallas.

 

[potato28]

TD and Royal are nice. I like that TD doesn't charge me for having an empty chequing account.