Who is your favorite bank and why?

**YoungBuck** · 04-01-2008, 10:56 PM

Try WAMU... they have free checking account with no limit and free online banking but you dont earn any interest. I actually use Wamu and link an ING account with my wamu. i earn interest with ING and when i need more money... i just transfer the money from my ING.

I also have an account with Wells Fargo. Its free if you link your transfer money from your savings to checking once a month. They will waive the checking fee. I rarely use this account because i only open it to help a friend hit his quota.

**momof1in150** · 04-02-2008, 02:30 AM

USAA

- Free Checking
- Debit cards with the protection of a credit card
- Free ATM transactions (refunds 10 transactions per month)
- No Minimum Balance (checking or saving)
- Great investments
- Great insurance rates
- Always ranked #1 in customer service

They do have limitations on who can get an account with them (military & their families) but it has been a great bank for us.

**sweeps** · 04-02-2008, 03:59 AM

I switched to a local bank, and am very happy. I get everything I need plus better service and good interest on my checking account. Don't count out your local banks!

**Pitman** · 04-02-2008, 04:39 AM

I've been with Citibank for about 4 years, and I couldn't be happier with service. Free online banking is accurate, and on time, if I make a purchase with my debit card, it shows up online immediately, I'm talking maybe a few seconds. No monthly fees on neither my savings or checking accounts, since I have direct deposit. My only vice is there aren't too many citibank branches or ATMs around.

**Brokemofo** · 04-02-2008, 05:10 AM

Citibank, at least until they layed me and the rest of my division off a few weeks ago. Uggggggggggg!

**MonkeyMama** · 04-02-2008, 05:14 AM

Local credit union. It meets all your criteria - free everything.

You have to shop around though - not all CUs are created equal - some are as bad as the banks.

What most people don't realize is that with a CU, most allow you to use any credit union ATM with no fee. So it often becomes more convenient than a bank, in that regard.

**disneysteve** · 04-02-2008, 06:43 AM

I can't say I have a "favorite" bank as I only have one and I've had my account for about 20 years. The name of the bank has changed 4 or 5 times over the years and is currently Bank of America. I have no complaints. Zero fees. Good online banking. I do very much dislike their new ATMs as I've posted in another thread but I suspect we'll see more of those at other banks soon. I have a checking account with them and my home equity loan. Customer service has always been good. No problems. I'd have no reason not to recommend them.

**Slug** · 04-02-2008, 07:39 AM

Originally posted by MonkeyMama View Post

Local credit union. It meets all your criteria - free everything.

You have to shop around though - not all CUs are created equal - some are as bad as the banks.

What most people don't realize is that with a CU, most allow you to use any credit union ATM with no fee. So it often becomes more convenient than a bank, in that regard.

Another vote for local credit union (NC State Employee's Credit Union). Mine's still paying 3.4%.

And yes, I live in NJ and bank in NC with no issues.

**Caoineag** · 04-02-2008, 07:40 AM

Mine is Wells Fargo, they are everywhere in my area, free bill pay, free checks, free spending report online, customer service has always been exceptional, free everything else you listed, you just have to link a savings account and have an auto transfer for the first 2 things I listed. If I use my debit card, I can see the transaction instantly online as well.

My one caution is while I have been treated extremely well and they have never made any mistakes with my accounts, I have had other people tell me how much they hate them. Course, they are a large regional bank as well and things do happen.

**PrincessPerky** · 04-02-2008, 07:51 AM

Ingdirect

We do have a brick and mortar bank, that we are not to happy with, but not sure it can be changed (a bank really isn't all that interested in me ya know)

Ingdirect has a checking account that we love, if I need to write a check I type online and Ing sends it, most of my bills though I can auto pay, even set up when I want them paid (think now, get it off my todo list and move on)

**noppenbd** · 04-02-2008, 07:58 AM

2nd vote for USAA. Fantastic bank.

**humandraydel** · 04-02-2008, 08:27 AM

I just switched to Wells Fargo. So far everything looks great, but I haven't actually started using the account regularly. I've also heard great things about Fidelity's checking account.

**yellow heel** · 04-04-2008, 08:03 PM

thanks for all the replies. i might just open another account at bofa just for the convinience of having everything at one bank...

all in all I don't bofa is that bad. i just hope they will have all free stuff if you don't do direct deposit.

**Seeker** · 04-04-2008, 08:22 PM

CalNational is also an option. We have a joint interest bearing checking account (though the interest rate is very small right now) and you have to maintain a minimum deposit in any combination of accounts (it doesn't have to be all in value checking). But we've never paid any fees either. It is alco free online banking.

We've also used the sevices of another bank but they merged with another small local bank, and have since gained online banking -- but it's not "free." I used to like the services there... but things have been changing.

Who is your favorite bank and why?