+1, Star One is local based - they are the credit union for Lockheed & Yahoo Employees.
Cheapest auto loans and the same rates for new vs used. In general is feels like a local business when you go in.
I had some issues when I bought my last STi; needed to sell another car to get some upfront $$ and the deal wasn't done yet. While at the dealership I called Star One, the loan officer listened to my situation, looked at my account (been a member for 25+ years) and gave the ok - based on my word. Show me any other bank that will offer that kind of service.

And no, I don't work for Star One

 

Wamu was fine, but Chase sucks... I've been a member of Wamu for years and had a decent line of credit with them, but as soon as it switched to Chase they cut my credit and increased my interest rate on my card for no reason. I asked them the reason for it and they said, "Nothing we can do, our policy is different than Wamu. If you don't like it you can cancel your card or change banks." Been a member of Wells Fargo just as long too and have had better experiences with them...

 

It all depends on what you're looking for. From my observations.. I notice that:

Chase formerly known as Washington Mutual has: (REFFERING TO MILPITAS LOCATIONS)
-unhappy people who work there
-interrogate you when they give you money that doesn't look to be legit and when you ask them to switch the bill, they question if that's the money they gave you to begin with, when a minute ago you saw them.
-they don't seem to remember faces very well and they rarely greet you.
-when you enter their establishment, they never make eye contact or acknowledge that you're there.
-overall crappy customer service
-BUT they seem to have okay accounts and no fees (that i'm aware of)
-They have an Ultimate Savings Account that earns interest of 0.25% (very little)

Citibank:
MILPITAS LOCATION: (the times I been there)
-I rarely get acknowledged from the people that work there.
-Feels like I have to pull their tongues out to get them to make some form of conversation with me.
-They are OKAY. Not all that great here.

NEWARK LOCATION:
-Friendly customer service
-They acknowledge you and make conversations with you, not to mention they remember your name which makes you feel special
-The people there are cool, they work with you so that you're happy

-They have Checking accounts that earns interest unlike other banks
-An Ultimate Savings account that you can earn at least a 1.64% interest rate in
-A 12 month CD where you can earn a 2.3% interest rate
-A free checking plus to help you with overdraft protection

Wells Fargo:

-Love their customer service but their fees are rediculous.

All in all, I think it depends on what you're looking for. If you want good interest rates and don't really care about customer service or if you prefer customer service above anything else. I say look around and see who is willing to work with you. That's the bank you'd want to stay at. Make sure to ask about overdraft protection and stuff so you don't end up paying rediculous fees.

 

i have a BOFA account and i love the BOFA location on beacon over in Fremont.

every time i go in, theres someone there to greet me and everytime i go up to the teller they always start small talk which is a plus for me. im usually the one starting up the conversation. if they start up the convo then i consider that a plus.

 

i will never do BofA... my gf had it and ran into SOOOO many problems with them. It seriously was getting rediculous and she had to close her account with them and then joined Safe i think....

But seriously im staying away from BofA

 

China Merchants Banks I used

Wonderful Service
If you lose your Credir card ,they will pay for all of your lose of the first 24 hours