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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsGood/bad banking experience? I'm shopping banks
Please help me out.
Leaving HSBC because of their incompetence.
There is so much information out there.
I was thinking Chase until I read they're under cyber attack from terrorists or something.
People's is nearby but they got caught with exposed client info.
Can't use Wells fargo: It's my mortgage.
Leaning towards webster. Any help here?????
hlthe2b
(101,730 posts)I haven't dealt with a bank in nearly two decades. I won't again by choice.
Iwillnevergiveup
(9,298 posts)Credit unions or small regionals are the way to go. Live people at the other end of the phone.
Major Nikon
(36,814 posts)Banks weren't too bad when they were small and operated more like credit unions, but even if you can find a good small local bank, chances are they will be gobbled up by one of the mega banks eventually.
magical thyme
(14,881 posts)I did open a local bank account when I moved to Maine, until last summer. They got bought by a slightly larger bank, who started doing their best Chase/BOA/asshole impression. And then was surprised to find my account closed. Never. Again.
If there's no credit union nearby, try putting your moolah under your mattress. It'll be safer there than in a bank, and the interest will be better too.
I switched to a credit union several years ago, thanks to the information and encouragement of folks here at DU.
What a difference it's made! My credit union considers me and other members shareholders, and we are treated far better than the victims of banksters. The one I found accepts anyone who lives, works or attends school in my county. I found it through NCUA, the National Credit Union Administration:
http://www.ncua.gov/DataApps/ResearchCU/Pages/default.aspx
I do nearly all my banking online, but they have good hours and excellent service.
Moondog
(4,833 posts)Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, Citi, etc etc.
They really don't want small accounts, they'll treat you poorly and nickel and dime you to death on fees.
Go with a small regional if you want a bank, or a credit union. I use both because they tend to be good at different things.
lindysalsagal
(20,444 posts)That's why I'm leaning there.
The credit unions offer no services, horrible hours and locations. Just really hard to live with. I'm already in a credit union but I only save my summer school money there and they mail me a check once a year. But I still need a checking account and some help when traveling.
I just got an amex card, so, that's a lot of what I need to quit HSBC.
hedgehog
(36,286 posts)RILib
(862 posts)Look harder -
My credit union has free checking accounts, money market funds, CDs, savings accounts, makes car and home loans. Has credit cards. You can deposit checks via their website and they also have direct deposit.
Is a member of a credit union organization so that customers can do transactions via the member credit unions and use ATMs just about anywhere.
Offers higher rates on savings and lower rates on loans than banks.
Most credit unions are like this, although not all belong to a credit union organization as described above.
I have no idea where you got your ideas about credit unions, from some big bank, perhaps?
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)mysuzuki2
(3,521 posts)I have never had a bad experience with a CU but I'm sure there are those that have. I belong to the U of Wisconsin CU in Milwaukee and they are great! Full service outfit. I have a car loan credit card, savings and checking. Their atms and branches are convenient for me. In even a modeate sized urban area there should be severl CU's to choose from.
lindysalsagal
(20,444 posts)But I just tripped across one very close to home that's just opened state of the art atms, so I went over there today and they work just like a bank, and their drive-through is open until 5.
Safe deposit boxes and everything.
It seems that the banking scandals have sent alot of dough their way and they've been buying up smaller unions, and re-investing.
Turns out my girlfriend's union was bought out by this one and they take great care of her.
I was really impressed with the branch manager, so, as soon as I can get a settlement with hsbc, I'm in.
Got 1.75% checking if you do all of your shopping with their debit, so, I'm in.
Yessss! Mutual Security credit union, here I come. Goodbye HSBC.
Sekhmets Daughter
(7,515 posts)I was reluctant to open an account with B of A, preferring credit unions or local banks myself. However, for reasons not important to the discussion, I did. I have two direct deposits each month, opened the account online, and have had no fees of any type assessed in the 3 years of doing business with them.
A few months ago I received an email alert, that a site on which I had stored my debit card had been hacked...the account was closed immediately. A quick trip to the bank and I was issued a temporary card, that contained my new permanent number so there was no chance of mix up at a future time...I pay all my bills online...
There is the added convenience of incredible availability...
FWIW
Response to Sekhmets Daughter (Reply #5)
Moondog This message was self-deleted by its author.
lindysalsagal
(20,444 posts)I know someone who's squatting in his own house, mortgaged through bofa, way too high for him to pay. They've lost the title (chopped it up so many times, it's lost,) and so now bofa pays the taxes and can't force him t leave, so he lives there without spending a penny.
It's insane and I won't go there. Plus, they were the mortgage scandal.
RebelOne
(30,947 posts)Any problems I have had with my accounts have been solved quickly.
Sekhmets Daughter
(7,515 posts)when the hacking occurred on that other site. I went through and used a credit card for those very few sites where I want to have the info stored.
In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)All of the banks you've mentioned I kicked to the curb years ago.
Bertha Venation
(21,484 posts)Cool.
In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)Bertha Venation
(21,484 posts)Southern Maryland here. But I'm glad you're happy!
In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)Call around, ask questions. You'll find one locally if they exist in Maryland.
elleng
(130,156 posts)but don't know where you are.
Tuesday Afternoon
(56,912 posts)Turbineguy
(37,212 posts)open 7 days a week. A friend is with them and likes it.
lindysalsagal
(20,444 posts)you're willing to throw around the better you get listened to. Unfortunately, I don't throw mine at all.
Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)Checking...I choose a brick & mortar in my area. It happens to be Comerica. Bill pay, no service fees, etc. The usual.
Savings....I used to bank at INGdirect.com, but it was just bought by CapitalOne. It's fine. Decent interest rate. But I transferred to allybank.com, where interest rate is slightly better and is rated high on customer satisfaction.
Savings - you can't beat the online banks. Their expenses are lower.
sammytko
(2,480 posts)It is internet only - not too many branches around, but I haven't found that too difficult to deal with.
But I still bank at a local bank that is currently a Well Fargo. I like to have a local presence.
Robb
(39,665 posts)Between that and the "use whatever ATM you want and we'll credit your account for the fees" feature, I ran out of reasons to have a local branch.
a kennedy
(29,467 posts)MrsBrady
(4,187 posts)irisblue
(32,829 posts)Chase is run by Jamie Diemon, massive gigantic thief. One part of early acquisitions of Chase was based in here in Columbus, if they could have charged for air in the lobby, they would have. Also, locally, some divisions have been forcing employees to train their offshore replacements. Don't give money to crooks.
Dyedinthewoolliberal
(15,485 posts)Credit Unions!
that is all