Wells Fargo banking... is it any good?

[Jugernot]

I know we've had the whole Credit Union versus bank thread, but I'm wondering about one bank in particular, Wells Fargo. I'm thinking of opening up a checking account with them as they own all of the ATM machines and have the most locations in town.

Any opinions on their services and customer service?

Jugs

EDIT: I signed up for a custom checking account today with direct deposit. Using DD eliminates the monthly fee and the minimum requirement. Fine with me.

Anyway, they seemed nice enough to me. Now I've just got to figure out the whole depositing and withdrawl procedure for banks. I've been at a credit union since my first account (10 years) and i've never had to fill out a deposit slip or anything. Guess I'll just have to stop being lazy.

 

[Thegonagle]

I tried Wells Fargo for awhile, by default, after they swallowed up the awesome Norwest Bank (and renamed Norwest's wonderful Cesar Pelli skyscraper). Customer service went downhill fast and far, and it only got worse after they stopped using Norwest's computer system and moved onto the Wells Fargo system. Wells Fargo's tellers and telephone people don't really have any power to do anything if you have a problem, and their computer system doesn't show you or the tellers any information about the day's transactions until the next morning. If you deposit GREEN CASH MONEY, let alone checks, you don't have any access until the next morning, when the system gets updated. The tellers used to be able to adjust the available balance if you deposited cash, but that's aparantly against the rules now.

I closed my Wells Fargo account a while ago, and use a local credit union exclusively now. They only have 4 branches, but their good service and real-time computer system (like Norwest's was) makes up for that.

I have a low opinion of Wells Fargo.

While I'm here, I'll let you know that my GF is getting pretty sick of Wells Fargo too, since nobody seems to "have the authority" to help her get a correct PIN on her cash and check card. They told her she needs to make an appointment with the manager of the branch where she opened her account. I've been told the same thing for certain problems I had with Wells Fargo. Any old teller at Norwest would have been able to me (and probably her) back in the good old days.

 

[Jugernot]

Damn, maybe it's just worth it to stay where I'm at (local credit union which is much like you described)....

Guess, I could always open an account and try it out to see how I like it.

Jugs

 

[Sachmho]

i've been w/ wells fargo for 8 years with a savings and a checking account, havne't had a single problem or complain thus far... so i'm all smiles

 

[Eli]

I've been with Wells Fargo for a few years, and have never had any problems..

 

[sciencewhiz]

I much prefer my Wells Fargo account to M&T, or Hawthorne Savings (much smaller). I also have an account at a credit union, which is nice for personal attention, but isn't nearly as modernized as Wells Fargo (can't check balance online, etc).

 

[Jugernot]

Originally posted by: Sachmho
i've been w/ wells fargo for 8 years with a savings and a checking account, havne't had a single problem or complain thus far... so i'm all smiles

Got a question for you, do you have to pay for your checking account? On their website is says something about a $5 monthly fee unless you have direct deposit. It also says something about a minimum of $1k in the account at any one time, but that doesn't effect the account if you pay the monthly fee...

Here is where I'm talking about:
http://www.wellsfargo.com/per/checking_savings/comparison_chart.jhtml

So, does that mean that if you have direct deposit, there is no minimum and their is no monthly fee?

 

[Jugernot]

Originally posted by: sciencewhiz
I much prefer my Wells Fargo account to M&T, or Hawthorne Savings (much smaller). I also have an account at a credit union, which is nice for personal attention, but isn't nearly as modernized as Wells Fargo (can't check balance online, etc).

Well, my current credit union isn't really all that bad. They have online banking, check card, etc. but they only have two locations and around 3-4 ATMs in parts of town that I never visit. I always end up paying $1.50 to use the Wells Fargo ATMs that are scattered all over the state. Also Wells Fargo is open on Sunday, my CU isn't.

It's a matter of convenience to me.

 

[Heisenberg]

I hope they are good. I have to get an account with them now that I moved.

 

[Eli]

Hmm, my checking account is free, always has been.

 

[Sachmho]

jugernot: no monthly fee for me on the checking account, and I currently have 500 in the account, but they never said i had to have any specific amount in it... when i opened it up, I had zero in it, so i guess they dont care

 

[Jugernot]

I signed up for a custom checking account today with direct deposit. Using DD eliminates the monthly fee and the minimum requirement. Fine with me.

Anyway, they seemed nice enough to me. Now I've just got to figure out the whole depositing and withdrawl procedure for banks. I've been at a credit union since my first account (10 years) and i've never had to fill out a deposit slip or anything. Guess I'll just have to stop being lazy.