Where do you bank?

[riverwed070707]

Feel like this has to have been discussed here before but I didn't turn up any search results. I'm annoyed with my bank that holds my primary checking account and am considering switching. I don't care for the fees that come with most big banks. I have a business account with US bank but everything is automated and have found work arounds for the excessive fees since I don't use it for my day-to-day expenses - I would not want to rely on them more than I currently do. I also have an old Capitol One 360 account that I used to use for savings and now is just kind of sitting with about $500 in it. Contemplated giving them a shot but I'm concerned about not having a physical bank even though I rarely use a branch location. Just curious if anyone has a bank they really love that has minimal usage fees and good customer service.

[kork13]

Primary checking & bill payments are through USAA. Pretty much everything else at this point (banking-wise) is with Ally. I've considered moving everything to Ally completely, but the external account monitoring capability at USAA is just way better. I'd consider going elsewhere entirely, but I haven't found anything that I think I would prefer.

In all my life, I've only ever had access to physical bank locations for ~2 years in high school. Ever since, it's been via USAA (95% online) and a few other online-only banks. I have NEVER needed to step foot in a bank to do anything. Depositing cash or exchanging foreign currency back to USD requires an extra step or two, but otherwise, I've not missed it one iota. I actually dislike being in banks at all... Not sure exactly why, but I always feel very uncomfortable facing down a long line of tellers (and even longer line of impatient customers).

[bjl584]

I have money in several banks and credit unions, but 99% of my banking is done at a local bank in my town.
Free checking, clean organized website, convenient hours.

[disneysteve]

Checking is with Bank of America. It didn't start there but the bank where we originally opened the account 30 years ago got bought out, then again, then again, then by BoA but it's been BoA for a pretty long time now. Never pay a penny in fees. Great website. Great mobile app. And on the rare occasion when I've needed it, great customer service. I've got nothing bad to say about them after many years. DD opened her checking account with them and later got her credit card there as well and she has never paid a penny in fees or had any issues either. They also have numerous local branches for those rare times when we need do do something in person.

Savings is with Ally. Used to be with Capital One but they always seem to lag behind on interest rates. We also have 2 CDs with Ally. Again, no fees, great website and app and customer service.

[creditcardfree]

We have a credit card with US Bank...and I so dislike their website. It's one of the worst. We bank with USAA primarily. Never need to go to a branch, we can mobile deposit, and request official checks. We simply spend any cash rather than deposit it. I make sure to put any change in those self checkout machines, usually Walmart, when I pay for my purchase. I'd definitely look for a new option!

[MonkeyMama]

We primarily bank with credit unions. Whatever general complaints people have about credit unions, I've never personally experienced. Honestly, my small credit unions have been much faster to roll out online banking and mobile deposits, etc. (both of which I had long before the big banks implemented). Credit unions also network together, so I find them to be more convenient than being stuck with *one* bank brand. But I live in a big city and there's credit unions everywhere. That said, there are some bad credit unions out there, and you just have to shop carefully. I think a lot of people have bad experiences and then just never try again. When we moved to our current city, I wasn't really impressed with any other option but the CU we chose.

We have a larger/regional CU at current, that is amazing. We actually received $50 last month "just because". Is not the first time they have paid back profits to members. Last time we received a few hundred dollars. We also have our savings at another CU that has a 3.50% interest rate (just a regular savings account). & my kids have some money at another CU that pays 7% interest. The catch on that account is that the interest is only on $500 max, but it's been a perfect savings accounts for kids. These are all local CUs, you'd have to see what is available in the region you live in.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

B of A and Capitol one. I also weirdly have ally for a MM

[disneysteve]

I also weirdly have ally for a MM

Why is that weird? I think Ally is a great place to have your MM, and they're quite popular.

[corn18]

I just moved all of my checking, savings, credit card, and investments to Fidelity. My 401k is there as well. Nice to have it all in one place. Customer service is excellent. No fees. Great investments. Their Cash Management Account (CMA) serves as my checking. Their credit card is 2% cash back on everything. Wiring money is free. Website is top notch. We got a free advisor for having over $1M with them (no use for them, though). I can also go to the local office if I need to, but haven't needed to yet.

[mumof2]

We have a bank acct in the US with US bank.....but we live in Australia so we use INg bank they don't charge fees and over here if you get charged at atms (which we do if its not our bank) they put it straight back into your account....we still have an acct with commbank as well but that is because we need a bank for my hubbys overseas money to go into and trying to change overseas banking when it is set up is hard....but ING is the best bank but it is an online one

[Jluke]

My banking is with PSECU. I have been with them for over 20 years. Located in Pennsylvania. I have never visited their branch. I have had two mortgages, two refinances, one car loan.

zero fees ever. Free checks. Online banking. Mobile app. Mobile deposit. They even reimburse if you get charged at an ATM.

they have recently relaxed their membership requirements and I know the bogleheads were drooling over a recent CD promo they had at PSECU.

[Keshet]

I have used BofA since the early 90's. Never had a problem.

[Petunia 100]

I've been banking with Wells Fargo for about 10 years now. I pay $0 per month for their fanciest checking account, which includes cashier checks, out of network ATM fee reimbursement and more. What I like most about them is when I use bill pay, the payment is issued from their account not from mine. (Not all banks do bill pay this way). This is absolutely my preference as I do not like to give out my account information.

[Drake3287]

Although I have accounts with a handful of banks, I've had BofA as my primary bank since I was born and have NEVER had an issue what so ever or even a service fee of any type. I hear people constantly complaining about BofA because it's a large bank, etc.... but in all honesty, I've never been treated better. People just generally love to hate big Corporations which I guess I can understand to some degree.

[Smallsteps]

Feel like this has to have been discussed here before but I didn't turn up any search results. I'm annoyed with my bank that holds my primary checking account and am considering switching. I don't care for the fees that come with most big banks. I have a business account with US bank but everything is automated and have found work arounds for the excessive fees since I don't use it for my day-to-day expenses - I would not want to rely on them more than I currently do. I also have an old Capitol One 360 account that I used to use for savings and now is just kind of sitting with about $500 in it. Contemplated giving them a shot but I'm concerned about not having a physical bank even though I rarely use a branch location. Just curious if anyone has a bank they really love that has minimal usage fees and good customer service.

I think the key to find a good fit is more about your personal needs and preferences.
I opened another account JUST to have a close branch if i needed one (i too rarely use one) and they had a really high interest rate for both checking and savings.
It has a reputation of being a super loved CU in my area ( by friends and in general) ......... I am not impressed.
Too much fine print with this place. No fees,but...... too many hoops. I also do not like their bill pay and website, they seem clunky.

Big Banks (to me) are similar to any other large business located in multiple locations, Some locations are better then others.
Same with services for example if you only have a car loan or one account with them,.... the service might be different then if someone has many accounts and relationships with.