07-11-2011, 02:19 PM
Dharma,
Bankrate.com is your best bet.
I've had accounts at local bank and at big banks. While I like local banks - I've accounts with them over the years - I have to give credit where credit is due and say that bigger banks like Chase and Bank of America have done right by me. I know you said you won't consider one of them but there are good reasons to keep them on your list even if you don't like them. Locations and features.
Consider... I just closed an account with a New York area bank for several reasons. The bank was good for a while but found they didn't have enough locations and ATMs, weren't willing to waive fees when waiving of the fee was justified. I've gotten charged only a few times over the years. One due to a goof on my part which I paid and the rest due to their goofs. The bank also lacked many of the online features offered by bigger competitors. In the end, I found it wasn't worth keeping a checking account with them anymore, even one for the sole purpose of maintaining a safety deposit box.
While I had that account, I also had an account with Bank of America. The other bank couldn't compete on any level with Bank of America. They've taken great care of me. They've waived the few fees I've gotten over the years even when it was due to my error. In those cases, I didn't ask them to waive the fee when I called or visited a location about it. The bank rep offered and I said "Thank you". They offer a good number of accounts geared towards different people and needs. Easy enough to avoid fees, too. Excellent online features from bill payment to viewing deposits and statements and such. Lots of locations, everywhere! Very useful, especially if you travel.
i also have an account at TD Bank. While it's a secondary account that I don't use much, TD has still taken great care of me. If nothing else, I've yet to find a bank that can touch their hours of operation. That alone is reason to consider them. They've also have nice online features (similar to BoA) and lots of ATMs and branches makes them worthwhile, too. A slew of different checking accounts, geared towards different individuals and levels of need. Easy enough to get free checking. My wife and I are considering making the TD account our primary account and keeping the BoA account as secondary, primarily because of their hours and more convenient location.
But, there is something to be said for a good local bank. Like I said, the local one I used for a long time was good. They just didn't offer enough to justify staying with them in comparison to the big boys.
Robert
Bankrate.com is your best bet.
I've had accounts at local bank and at big banks. While I like local banks - I've accounts with them over the years - I have to give credit where credit is due and say that bigger banks like Chase and Bank of America have done right by me. I know you said you won't consider one of them but there are good reasons to keep them on your list even if you don't like them. Locations and features.
Consider... I just closed an account with a New York area bank for several reasons. The bank was good for a while but found they didn't have enough locations and ATMs, weren't willing to waive fees when waiving of the fee was justified. I've gotten charged only a few times over the years. One due to a goof on my part which I paid and the rest due to their goofs. The bank also lacked many of the online features offered by bigger competitors. In the end, I found it wasn't worth keeping a checking account with them anymore, even one for the sole purpose of maintaining a safety deposit box.
While I had that account, I also had an account with Bank of America. The other bank couldn't compete on any level with Bank of America. They've taken great care of me. They've waived the few fees I've gotten over the years even when it was due to my error. In those cases, I didn't ask them to waive the fee when I called or visited a location about it. The bank rep offered and I said "Thank you". They offer a good number of accounts geared towards different people and needs. Easy enough to avoid fees, too. Excellent online features from bill payment to viewing deposits and statements and such. Lots of locations, everywhere! Very useful, especially if you travel.
i also have an account at TD Bank. While it's a secondary account that I don't use much, TD has still taken great care of me. If nothing else, I've yet to find a bank that can touch their hours of operation. That alone is reason to consider them. They've also have nice online features (similar to BoA) and lots of ATMs and branches makes them worthwhile, too. A slew of different checking accounts, geared towards different individuals and levels of need. Easy enough to get free checking. My wife and I are considering making the TD account our primary account and keeping the BoA account as secondary, primarily because of their hours and more convenient location.
But, there is something to be said for a good local bank. Like I said, the local one I used for a long time was good. They just didn't offer enough to justify staying with them in comparison to the big boys.
Robert