Need a new bank: Chase, BofA, or local CU?
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Need a new bank: Chase, BofA, or local CU?
Wells Fargo has pissed me off for the last time, and I'm closin my account tomorrow. Need a new bank though. Who is happy with their current bank's customer service and fee schedule, and what bank do you use? Also concerned with web accessibility.
Also, what is the advantage to local credit unions? I've never understood (or tried to understand) their allure.
Just need basic checking and savings.
Also, what is the advantage to local credit unions? I've never understood (or tried to understand) their allure.
Just need basic checking and savings.
i hate bofa, im actually getting a checking and savings at my credit union where i get my loans through. So much more helpful and polite then bofa, more of a mom and pop feel than some huge corporation where if you have a problem or need help with something i takes weeks to come to a solution or weeks of trying and being shut down. Any problem ive had with my loans at the credit union takes a couple of hours and is more often then not solved right away by a few calls. So simple and seamless.
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Although I am not BofA I know plenty of friends who use them and defintely like them over Wells. Only downside of chase of CU's is finding atms etc.
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I actually don't like Chase. WaMu was great. But Chase screwed it all up. They made so many rule changes.
I'm thinking about going to a CU, because some still actually have "free" checking...
I'm thinking about going to a CU, because some still actually have "free" checking...
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www.starone.org
Sunnyvale based Credit Union, originally for Lockheed Employees only, now is the CU for Yahoo as well. BY FAR the best banking I've ever found
Star One is part of an ATM co-op, so actually have more ATM's than BOA
Sunnyvale based Credit Union, originally for Lockheed Employees only, now is the CU for Yahoo as well. BY FAR the best banking I've ever found
Star One is part of an ATM co-op, so actually have more ATM's than BOA
Don't go Stanford CU, or Bank of the West.
I switched to BofA a few years ago and have had many positive experiences, however I saw a news article today about a proposed fee for debit card usage ($5/mo.). On the other hand, if they do this successfully I'll bet other banks will too. The reason they are starting this is because regulations are being set on how high of a fee the banks can charge merchants for debit usage, so the banks want customers to use credit more.
I switched to BofA a few years ago and have had many positive experiences, however I saw a news article today about a proposed fee for debit card usage ($5/mo.). On the other hand, if they do this successfully I'll bet other banks will too. The reason they are starting this is because regulations are being set on how high of a fee the banks can charge merchants for debit usage, so the banks want customers to use credit more.
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"Bank of America will start charging debit-card users $5 a month to pay for purchases...."
Read more: More bad news for bank customers: Debit card fees
Read more: More bad news for bank customers: Debit card fees
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Charles Schwab.
They don't have their own ATMs, so instead they reimburse any ATM fees from ANY ATM, no international ATM withdrawl fees, so it's great if you travel, and free checks (like WaMu had).
The only down side is if you like to go to a branch, because they're not everywhere. However, with the any ATM, they have the android app to deposit checks through pictures, so I rarely need to go to a branch.
They don't have their own ATMs, so instead they reimburse any ATM fees from ANY ATM, no international ATM withdrawl fees, so it's great if you travel, and free checks (like WaMu had).
The only down side is if you like to go to a branch, because they're not everywhere. However, with the any ATM, they have the android app to deposit checks through pictures, so I rarely need to go to a branch.
Another Credit Union option in Sunnyvale is Technology Credit Union (aka Tech CU). The branch there is on 1230 Oakmead Parkway...pretty much at Lawrence Expressway and Hwy 101.
Plus side is I work there (lol)...
As another mentioned, Credit Unions are member-owned and any profits that are made, are done for the benefits of the owner...aka YOU the member. Besides usually having lower fees and better rates than the big banks, the SERVICE is usually markedly different from the big banks (for the good).
In terms of access, most Credit Unions participate in something called the Co-Op Network, which gives access to over 25,000 ATMs.
Tech CU has 10 branches in the Bay Area, but Tech CU members can also access their accounts (fee-free) at most other (sister) Credit Unions, as well as at all Cardtronics ATMs (think Target, Walgreens, Costco, etc.) and also all 7-11's.
Hope this helps, and let me know if you have any more questions!
Cheston
Plus side is I work there (lol)...
As another mentioned, Credit Unions are member-owned and any profits that are made, are done for the benefits of the owner...aka YOU the member. Besides usually having lower fees and better rates than the big banks, the SERVICE is usually markedly different from the big banks (for the good).
In terms of access, most Credit Unions participate in something called the Co-Op Network, which gives access to over 25,000 ATMs.
Tech CU has 10 branches in the Bay Area, but Tech CU members can also access their accounts (fee-free) at most other (sister) Credit Unions, as well as at all Cardtronics ATMs (think Target, Walgreens, Costco, etc.) and also all 7-11's.
Hope this helps, and let me know if you have any more questions!
Cheston
**** BofA in it's dirty ***** ***.
CU all the way.
Move Your Money Project
I follow them on facebook and twitter, too. Good articles.
CU all the way.
Move Your Money Project
I follow them on facebook and twitter, too. Good articles.