I REALLY need a new bank. Any suggestions???

[disny_luvr]

DH and I currently bank with Wells Fargo. I've actually been with them since 1984 (well it wasn't WF then, obviously). Recently we haven't been very happy with them. We have had several issues with them that we don't think they handled right and we currently have an issue with them that still hasn't been resolved (eventhough I have my deposit slip). Anyway, I think it is time for us to switch banks. I've been doing my research and I'm leaning towards Metro Bank or PNC Bank. Does anyone have any experience with any of these banks? Do you have any other suggestions for banks or credit unions? TIA.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I've dealt with PNC ever since they took over our local bank. Haven't had any problems and they have a lot of locations.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I also left Wachovia (which has become Wells Fargo) because I wasn't happy with them. They gave me a "hard sale" every single time I came in. I would be tight on time and making a simple deposit, and every visit always turned into the conversation "mam, you need a better <fillinblank> account or <fillinblank> service, you want the best for your money, don't you? Of course you do .... let me call the manager over" and starts waving to the manager. I would protest and they wouldn't listen. More than once, I stormed out yelling at them "NOOO!". When they kept calling the house pipping their services, I had enough. Obviously their people get comissions selling these services. I finally switched my money to a local town bank and never been happier. They take my money and say "have a nice day!" - no hard sale, no harrassment.

I also had it with Wachovia (Wells Fargo) because I started an IRA with them and it lost 40% of it's value. Very disheartening when you are a 20-something trying to do what's "right" (skimping and saving to start retirement funds while young) and you lose the money anyways.

 

[Imagineer7]

I bank with Northern Trust and Citibank and have had good experiences. I actually use to bank with Chase but they made one too many mistakes and that was that, and switched over to Citi.

Northern Trust is amazing but they're a little on the higher end so you'll have to meet some minimum balance requirements for them to take you.

 

[TexasMouseFan]

I bank with USAA. It is a great bank. I love them and highly recommend them. Good luck.

 

[phillmolly]

As a former bank employee, I would say find a nice local CU to deal with. Banks are so focused on what they can get out of you that they have forgotten that they need to service you. I am so much happier with my CU than I ever was at a bank, even when I was an employee I never got any special perks. With my CU it seems like they are always willing to go that extra step to make me feel like I am special.

 

[Golf4food]

As a former bank employee, I would say find a nice local CU to deal with. Banks are so focused on what they can get out of you that they have forgotten that they need to service you. I am so much happier with my CU than I ever was at a bank, even when I was an employee I never got any special perks. With my CU it seems like they are always willing to go that extra step to make me feel like I am special.

This.

Screw the big banks (that's all they want to do to us!). Go with a local credit union.

 

[RitaE]

Credit Unions are a great option. I use a regional bank (not one of the big guys) for local banking and hold my breath that they never get bought out.

I also have interest bearing accounts at Schwab and have been very happy with them. Interest on my checking account, free checks, and they refund all foreign atm fees. The only drawback is no local branches so I have to electronically deposit all my checks. You can also mail them in but I prefer to do it electronically.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

I also left Wachovia (which has become Wells Fargo) because I wasn't happy with them. They gave me a "hard sale" every single time I came in. I would be tight on time and making a simple deposit, and every visit always turned into the conversation "mam, you need a better <fillinblank> account or <fillinblank> service, you want the best for your money, don't you? Of course you do .... let me call the manager over" and starts waving to the manager. I would protest and they wouldn't listen. More than once, I stormed out yelling at them "NOOO!". When they kept calling the house pipping their services, I had enough. Obviously their people get comissions selling these services. I finally switched my money to a local town bank and never been happier. They take my money and say "have a nice day!" - no hard sale, no harrassment.

I also had it with Wachovia (Wells Fargo) because I started an IRA with them and it lost 40% of it's value. Very disheartening when you are a 20-something trying to do what's "right" (skimping and saving to start retirement funds while young) and you lose the money anyways.

No, the teller won't get a commission but they probably DO have quotas to make. Been there, done that, will NEVER work as a bank teller again!

 

[ness1996]

We are practically neighbors! I live only 6 miles away from Hersheypark in Palmyra.

I currently have accounts at Metro Bank and although they fix their mistakes, there seems to be more mistakes than there should be! I wouldn't recommend them.

I have no advice as to which bank to change to though because haven't come up with the energy to cancel all my direct deposits and direct debits and find a new bank.

 

[Mama Who]

Credit Unions are great for a lot of things but if you need a bank, we have been very happy with Chase. We had an ugly identity/mail theft issue and they were amazing about helping us.

 

[disny_luvr]

We are practically neighbors! I live only 6 miles away from Hersheypark in Palmyra.

I currently have accounts at Metro Bank and although they fix their mistakes, there seems to be more mistakes than there should be! I wouldn't recommend them.

I have no advice as to which bank to change to though because haven't come up with the energy to cancel all my direct deposits and direct debits and find a new bank.

We are neighbors - I live in Palmyra too! I'm glad you gave me some insight on Metro Bank. I don't actually know anyone that banks there, but I thought maybe I'd give it a try after looking over their website and services. A few weeks ago I was following another banking thread on here and a few people mentioned PNC Bank. They have a few in Hershey and one at the Giant where I grocery shop (off of Rt. 743). I'm also thinking about some of the credit unions in the Palmyra/Hershey area.

I'm not looking forward to changing my direct deposits, automatic bill pay, etc. but I need a new bank badly and think I can handle the minor inconvenience for better service.

 

[Pigeon]

Credit unions are great.

 

[tvguy]

Opposite situation here, I ended up consolidating all my banking/investments with Wells Fargo. I started with a local Savings and Loan, that got bought up by a regional savings and loan, and 13 years ago bought up by Wells Fargo. I was all set to move, but stuck around a few months and have been happy. As for Credit Unions, what a nightmare! I was with a Credit Union for 20 years, they closed out my account and turned the the money over to the California Secretary of State because the account "had been inactive for more than 2 years.". They couldn't explain how THAT happened when I showed them my month statements showing I had deposited $100 a month every month for that 2 year period, and had withdrawn $400 the very month they closed the account. I got my money back, but had to do a bunch of paper work with the secretary of state and had to wait 3 months for it.
I did get an auto loan with another credit union, that ended up getting bought up by a much bigger credit union.....the new credit union had a devil of a time believing that I had a used car loan at 3.5% interest, despite all the documentation.

(You could have been with Wells Fargo your entire life since they have been around for 159 years.)

 

[fireflymedic]

I use an internet bank, USAA

they refund all your ATM charges

dont charge for checking

can track every thing on line

 

[prncess674]

I also had it with Wachovia (Wells Fargo) because I started an IRA with them and it lost 40% of it's value. Very disheartening when you are a 20-something trying to do what's "right" (skimping and saving to start retirement funds while young) and you lose the money anyways.

I know you are PO'd at the market, but that isn't the bank's fault. You choose your investments. I am hoping that you didn't pull your money out at the bottom when it was down 40%. Did you invest in a diversified mutual fund?