Least-Horrible Bank

[HorrorFrogPrincess]

So I'm moving from Nevada to New York in a few months. Right now I'm with a state bank, so will have to change to something international.

Any suggestions for which larger bank is least likely to lay claim to my unborn children?

[dendawg]

Try looking into credit unions where you're going to be moving instead. There are very few large credit union chains.

[AdminAssistant]

I'm with BofA, and I haven't had any trouble with them, despite their notorious reputation. Honestly, if you just have checking/savings accounts and don't keep a balance of near $0, then you'll be okay anywhere. Check for fees and for the rates on savings accounts. Look for a bank that has branches both where you are now and where you'll be going. If nothing else, if you're unhappy with them after you move, you can change to a different, local bank. (But not TOO soon, Fiance has told me that bank-hopping is frowned upon). Personally, I prefer banks to credit unions.

[Kogarashi]

Chase has done right by us since they bought WaMu. Wells Fargo was pretty decent to us as well, but I don't know how plentiful they are where you'll be going in NY. Key Bank was a good banker for me through undergrad, and the only reason I switched away from them was because I got married and Hubby and I decided on a more conveniently located bank to our apartment.

I'll also second the recommendation for credit unions. My good friend and former roommate loves them, because even though they generally aren't national, they generally don't charge extra for ATM usage.

[JoitheArtist]

I've been with US Bank for almost 10 years now, and they've been great!

[RecoveringKinkoid]

I second the suggestion to try a credit union. I switched to one from BoA back in the bad old days when I worked at public tv and I have never once regretted that decision.

[Gerrinson]

If you're going to be near the CT border, I would recommend one of the local banks, Salisbury Bank & Trust. SB&T only has a couple of locations in NY, though I hear they are planning some more.

They're a pretty good bank. My fee free checking account there gets well over 3% interest and all ATM fees up to $25 refunded each month. My checking interest actually dropped from the 4% I was getting last year, but I'm not complaining considering what other banks have to offer.

[Kheldarson]

I've been with BB&T since high school. I've got no complaints with their service, although I'm disappointed they're starting to charge for their credit accounts (unless you keep $1500 balance average or use direct deposit. Yay for jobs requiring direct deposit!). And they don't ding me too badly when I need to pull from an ATM that's not theirs.

[trailerparkmedic]

If you don't use much cash, go with USAA. Their basic bank accounts are open to anyone. My accounts are fee free, my savings account has a decent interest rate, my checking account gives me interest and I get cash back on all my debit card purchases. They never charge me for using another company's ATM (since they have like 2 ATMs, both in San Antonio) and they also refund the fees other banks charge me for using their ATMs for the first 5ish withdrawals each month. In addition, customer service is super nice, goes out of their way to help you and isn't pushy about selling things. The only downside is that there isn't a way to deposit cash into your account. I switched to USAA a few months ago (already had insurance with them) and I really wish I hadn't waited so long.

[Kheldarson]

Only problem with USAA is that you're supposed to have a tie to the military. Last I heard, they hadn't changed that rule. And by tie, that means you either served, or a parent or grandparent served.

[trailerparkmedic]

Only problem with USAA is that you're supposed to have a tie to the military. Last I heard, they hadn't changed that rule. And by tie, that means you either served, or a parent or grandparent served.

Not for the bank. You can't have a credit card account with them, and you can't have other accounts like insurance or investments, but you can have checking and savings with them.

It's not a credit union so they can't limit membership.

[BeenThereDoneThat]

My joint account with my husband is with a local credit union. I have a separate account at Chase (started in the WaMu days), but I'm considering leaving them because I don't keep much in my accounts there and the fees they've started charging are really not worth paying. My full-time job paycheck is direct deposited to the credit union. All in all the CU is pretty good and we've been with them for a long time.

[Kheldarson]

Not for the bank. You can't have a credit card account with them, and you can't have other accounts like insurance or investments, but you can have checking and savings with them.

It's not a credit union so they can't limit membership.

Ohhh...okay. I've learned something new Day's not wasted.

[Kogarashi]

I have a separate account at Chase (started in the WaMu days), but I'm considering leaving them because I don't keep much in my accounts there and the fees they've started charging are really not worth paying.

I'm curious as to what fees. Hubby and I haven't noticed any fees in either of our formerly-WaMu accounts since Chase "acquired" them, so I'm interested to hear what they are to figure out what we're doing differently.

[BeenThereDoneThat]

I'm curious as to what fees. Hubby and I haven't noticed any fees in either of our formerly-WaMu accounts since Chase "acquired" them, so I'm interested to hear what they are to figure out what we're doing differently.

I have a basic checking account with them and I think they expect me to keep at least $500 in it (maybe more) or else they charge me something like $12.50 a month. Honestly, I only have this account because at one time I really thought my husband and I were going to split and I wanted a place for my own money stash. Then I started using it to buy things now and again that my husband didn't necessarily need to know about - not because I was doing anything wrong, just because no matter what I buy he has to make some comment about how I/we don't need it and we have no money (which is not true). I still want to have my own separate account for my own peace of mind, but i can't afford for them to take $12.50 out every month. I really only put my work-at-home paycheck in there and use it to try to pay down the credit card bill I ran up last summer to visit the DC area for a week or so.


ETA: I was wrong about some of the amounts but it's actually worse than I thought. Here's a link to the basics for personal checking accounts: https://www.chase.com/online/Checkin...ng-account.htm