Personal Banking: Checking Accounts

[krunchykrome]

I live in MD, and I bank with Provident Bank which is a local bank serving MD, PA, and I think VA. I've banked with these guys soo long, probably since 2002. I am gonna open a new checking account at another bank this weekend. The main reason is the online feature of Provident Bank. When you log onto your account and view transactions or statements, all you see is are dates and amounts. No merchant or vendor names are listed. For an additional $7 per month, you get detailed listings. I keep a ledger at home, but I would still like to see a detailed ledger online just to double check everything. Also, transactions take up to five days until they are posted online. Almost every other bank I know of offers free detailed and fast-updating online banking. It almost seems deceiving to me like they are trying to confuse cutsomers hoping to collect on NSF fees, forcing them to pay the $7 per month for better online service. I've stayed with this bank for soo long because: 1) I am comfortable with them and have been with them soo long, and 2) I used to work for this bank, so I know all their tricks and policies/fees.

But I've had it, I want a better online service. I was considering going with Wachovia or Bank of America.

Who does everyone bank with here, and why do you bank with them?

 

[bigrash]

Wamu

 

[Maximus96]

bofa

 

[xanis]

I bank with Wachovia, because the people there are not total idiots like the people at Commerce. Wachovia's hours aren't the best, but I've been using them since back in the 90s when they went through a couple different names, and IMO, they still rock.

 

[DnetMHZ]

Sovereign and they suck. Switching soon.

 

[anxi80]

credit union. had them since i was 16, many locations, co-op atm's everywhere, and i like to use them for my loans because they offer great rates.

 

[shortylickens]

Navy Federal Credit Union.
Everywhere I've been, thay had a branch.
Even Iceland.

When I got out I worked for Navy Contractors and eventually the DoN. It made sense to stick with them.

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: anxi80
credit union. had them since i was 16, many locations, co-op atm's everywhere, and i like to use them for my loans because they offer great rates.

I could open an account with The Johns Hopkins Federal Credit Union as an employee, but Id rather go with a larger bank with more locations.

Oh, and I would definetly be interested in opening account with Wamu if they had some locations near me

 

[SirChadwick]

BB&T

 

[krunchykrome]

Damn, I was most likely gonna go with Wachovia, but I just found out that Bank of America will give you $50 for free if you open a checking account online with them. Hmm....

Oh yea, anyone with Wachovia, does their debit card have a picture ID?

 

[TallBill]

USAA, and they are great.

 

[HopJokey]

Washington Mutual (WAMU).

I went with them when I turned 18 because of free checking and no hidden fees.

 

[mcvickj]

A small town credit union that has only one branch on the planet.

 

[acemcmac]

Deal of the Century here: Crown Account with Wachovia.

The following things are free to me because I have such a high credit line with my bank's credit card ($10,000+). This is in no way dependant on my direct deposit.

Checks
Check Writing
Saftey Deposit Box
Upgrade to Gold Check Card
Incoming Domestic Wires
Two withdrawals each month at other banks' ATMs with no Wachovia fee
One savings or money market account with no monthly service fee
Free ATM mini-statements
Free single signature travelers' checks, official checks and money orders

The following interest rate schedule on my checking account:
Balance Tiers Interest Rates APY*
$0.00-$7,499.00 0.17% 0.17%
$7,500.00-$14,999.00 0.21% 0.21%
$15,000.00-$24,999.00 0.25% 0.25%
$25,000.00-$49,999.00 0.35% 0.35%
$50,000.00+ 0.65% 0.65%

I'm lovin' it.

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: acemcmac
Deal of the Century here: Crown Account with Wachovia.

The following things are free to me because I have such a high credit line with my bank's credit card ($10,000+). This is in no way dependant on my direct deposit.

Checks
Check Writing
Saftey Deposit Box
Upgrade to Gold Check Card
Incoming Domestic Wires
Two withdrawals each month at other banks' ATMs with no Wachovia fee
One savings or money market account with no monthly service fee
Free ATM mini-statements
Free single signature travelers' checks, official checks and money orders

Balance Tiers Interest Rates APY*
$0.00-$7,499.00 0.17% 0.17%
$7,500.00-$14,999.00 0.21% 0.21%
$15,000.00-$24,999.00 0.25% 0.25%
$25,000.00-$49,999.00 0.35% 0.35%
$50,000.00+ 0.65% 0.65%

I'm lovin' it.

Such a "high credit line" but you can't tip a waiter a few more bucks?

 

[allisolm]

Oh yea, anyone with Wachovia, does their debit card have a picture ID?

Mine doesn't.

I have the Crown account at Wachovia, also. Love it for free cashier's checks as well as the free safety deposit box and free checks although I assume other banks have similar deals.

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: allisolm
Oh yea, anyone with Wachovia, does their debit card have a picture ID?

Mine doesn't.

I have the Crown account at Wachovia, also. Love it for free cashier's checks as well as the free safety deposit box and free checks although I assume other banks have similar deals.

What do you do to qualify avoid the fee? The CC limit one wasn't really publicized... I was really surprised when I found it in the fine print.

Neither my old blue card nor my new gold card have photo id

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
Such a "high credit line" but you can't tip a waiter a few more bucks?

don't get me started

 

[bmacd]

I bank with Comerica. I think they are a large bank in Michigan, but I have yet to see a bank outside of MI.

-=bmacd=-

 

[amdforever2]

Citibank

 

[jjmIII]

I think everyone should join a credit union.
The loan rates (low fees too) are almost always better than banks. Can't go wrong on Car and Home loans at a CU. I also get free checking with interest. I have 2 checking accounts, 2 savings accounts, an e-account, a home loan, and car loan at my CU.

For business banking (and loans) I use National City.

 

[mwtgg]

Wachovia. Their hours, as mentioned, are rather bad. Only a few branches around here have Saturday hours. And I've had repeated problems with tellers at several locations -- some are exceptionally rude. Thankfully, the ones I use most frequently have friendly staff.

 

[krunchykrome]

Nevermind about the Bank of America choice.

 

[mwtgg]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
Nevermind about the Bank of America choice.

Why?

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: mwtgg

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
Nevermind about the Bank of America choice.

Why?

They require direct deposit or you get charged $5.95 per month. And their savings account is free only with automatic transfer. I liked the automatic savings where they round up your change and save it for you, but without an automatic transfer into the savings each month, they charge you for that too.

I have direct deposit, but I dont like the "if's" and "but's" with Bank of America.