Any suggestions for a new checking/savings account?

[kelly1218]

My daughter and I are raising money to walk in a breast cancer walk.

I would like to keep the money raised from fundraisers separate and safe.

I am with Wachovia/wells Fargo right now...but I'm not sure I want to stay with them.

What are your experiences with TD, PNC, online banking?


I don't even know what options are out there. (yes...I think I do live under a rock )

 

[minnie1012]

I have never used them but have not had any problems with Bank of America online.

Good luck with your walk!

 

[njmom47]

I really like Wachovia/Wells Fargo. I supposedly am "grandfathered" in to a lot of my benefits (free checking, etc).
I do online banking with them (pay bills,transfers, etc). My paycheck and child support are direct deposited. I have 2 checking accounts (one that has 2 auto debits each month); my Visa check card gets rewards (I use it for everything, and choose "credit" as my transaction type); I happen to work for a company that Wachovia has a deal with (it's called "At Work" and I get some of the same benefits as Wachovia employees). If you log onto their website, there is a link that says "Which checking account is rght for you?"....maybe that would help you figure out if you want to stay with them.

 

[Bell30012]

Chase Bank! Disney Visa and Disney Visa Debit cards!! If that isn't enough of a reason, get a change of address packet from the post office... There is a FREE $125 for opening a new checking with Chase. Free money always is a plus.

 

[Mom_Rides]

I vote for PNC! I work there and love their banking options. The Virtual Wallet is a great product and helps you to achieve your savings goals. And the rate is one of the best around . Take a look at PNC online. You can tour the VW account as well as the online banking.

 

[Fyrefly]

I just opened up an Orange Savings Account from ING to use in conjunction with my local credit union. I was getting .4% interest from the CU and now I'm getting 1% I haven't seen a higher interest rate than that personally, even CD's aren't much better right now.

The one caveat is it can take a day or two for deposits to be pulled out, and I think you have to wait 2 or 3 weeks after setting up the account and making your initial deposit before you can take out for security reasons. But for breast cancer walk money that you won't need for a while and you'll know in advance when you'll need it (just transfer $ back to your normal bank a few days before its needed) I don't think that would be a problem.

 

[quentina]

TD is OK. Just be sure you don't ever cut it to close....they will take all your money left in fees. The issue I have is that you will not see a negative balance anywhere on your account. When I called to question, they told me that I will not see it as it happens behind the scenes. I threw a fit and got my money refunded....they charged me 210 dollars and could not prove or show to me that the account overdrafted??? I told the lady, if she can see it on her end, she needs to email it to me so I can see it also. Manager refunded money. I then went to the branch and spoke with the person in charge....they were not surprised by what I told them.

Besides for this shadiness...they are OK.

 

[cglaura]

Capital One had no minimum free checking and pretty good savings rate, also no minimum/no service charge. No foreign ATM fees and the reimburse up to $10 of other bank ATM fees.

These are online stats, I'm not sure if all apply to open at a local branch.

 

[Miss Peach]

I strongly dislike Wachovia/Wells Fargo. Strongly!

And Bank of America (although we have banked with them for generations) keeps making errors (always in their favor--hmmm...). Time consuming.

I have been switching us over to Chase. I do not love their corporate policies--but really, who has a completely clean slate these days?! The local branch has been helpful and wonderful in every way.

So, I vote Chase.

Cathy

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

I highly recommend a local credit union, rather than an online bank or regular bank. Most have no fees, I've never seen one charge for a checking account at all, and a lot of them even pay interest on savings accounts. There is probably one in your neighborhood that you're eligible for, and you're supporting local businesses rather than a big bank. They're also "owned" by the members, so you're helping that way too.

 

[kelly1218]

I highly recommend a local credit union, rather than an online bank or regular bank. Most have no fees, I've never seen one charge for a checking account at all, and a lot of them even pay interest on savings accounts. There is probably one in your neighborhood that you're eligible for, and you're supporting local businesses rather than a big bank. They're also "owned" by the members, so you're helping that way too.

I would love to do this....except my step mommy in law works there....and I don't like her having access to my information.

She pulled my SS# before to give my kids savings bonds. Yeah, that doesn't sound too bad....except she had to look up my info to get it. She didn't ask if it was okay for her to access my account.



Thanks everyone for the input. I would love to use a bank that is giving an incentive for opening an account...but they all want direct deposit. That isn't an option in this case.

I'm off to do some research now, it's so much easier when you have a starting point.