Banks!
 

Moving to Charlotte in the new year and got round to looking at banking stateside... A few questions, if I may:

• Any recommendations for which bank in the Charlotte area, few people have suggested that branches and service can vary in different areas.
• I use the Barclays iphone app in the UK which is great for payments, transfers, statements etc, any US banks have a similar thing?
• When to open an account - before we leave the UK, or when we arrive?
• Are the higher paid accounts with perks normally worth it? Not that used to having to pay for a bank account in the UK! :unsure:

Cheers,

Ollie

Re: Banks!
 

I use Wells Fargo. (Been happy with them for 15 years.)
There is an app.

Depending what services you have there may not be a fee so you may not need a 'paid' account.

(What visa? What job? A few words helps others understand the process, adds to the body of knowledge...)

Re: Banks!
 

Thanks, L-1 visa, working in strategy for an Aerospace company.

Re: Banks!
 

Open an account once you arrive (it shouldn't take more than an hour in a branch). You may want to choose a larger, national bank (like Chase), or a smaller, local bank or credit union. Some of the NC residents may have more specific recommendations.

Also, get used to having to pay for stuff. (For the land of the free, there's very little that actually is :p).

Re: Banks!
 

Was your process quite smooth? No hiccups?

Re: Banks!
 

Most banks, even shit ones these days have a phone app.

Open an account when you arrive, it's quick and easy enough and much less hassle than trying to do so if you're not there in person.

As for perks, all depends on what kind of balance you'll keep...some are, some aren't, so not a very helpful answer.

Re: Banks!
 

Just be ready to go back to the dark ages. Banking here is unbelievably archaic.

Re: Banks!
 

Why do you say that?...Never had an issue with WF.

Re: Banks!
 

I agree with Hotscot on this one. My bank has internet banking, IOS/Android apps (including mobile check depositing), etc. Plus I'm able to do international transfers from my online account, unlike my UK Barclays account (even with internet banking). The usage of 'checks' is widespread, but this is more often on the part of consumers than banks. (I.e. people insisting that you pay by check. I refuse to pay by check, just as I refuse to fax anything).

Re: Banks!
 

Limits on inter bank transfers

Inter bank transfers take too long - nothing like the UK faster payment system

Many bank websites poorly designed

Too much dependence on check payments

Lack of use of direct debits

Poor credit card security

Having to pay "convenience fees" to pay by credit card

Home address printed on checks - just helps the bad guys

Charges (or at least the threat of them) for everything they can possibly think of

Re: Banks!
 

I use BB&T, great service, with no complaints. This bank is based in NC, and they are all over the S.E. US.

Re: Banks!
 

I have personal and business accounts for my company with WF...I've never been impacted negatively with any of that.

Re: Banks!
 

That's because the US banking system is antiquated. There is no equivalent of the FPS here.

I don't agree with that. I find Bank of America's and Capital One's absolutely fine. Just as good as UK banking sites.

There is? For what?

It's called 'autopay'. It exists widely. Though, unfortunately, without the protections Direct Debit offers.

That's a US wide problem, not specific to WF.

Actually, I've never found that to be the case in the US. The UK suffers from this problem to a *far* greater extent.

Indeed it does. However, all banks I have cheque books with print our address.

..and you don't think that's a problem with British banks?!

Re: Banks!
 

When we arrived in PA, we were taken to WF by a representative of the local relocation company provided. With no appointment we were able to open our account with the banker in less than an hour and leave with a temporary debit card in hand, despite not having an address. The banker used the branch address so that any important mail, including the permanent cards, was sent there and we collected it when we had relocated. So as soon as we had some money deposited into the account we were up and running immediately.

No fees and an app to use for online banking.
I did have to visit the branch to make an international transfer recently, but no real complaints from me. (so far)

Re: Banks!
 

When I moved to Charlotte, I opened an account with Wells Fargo and have been more than happy with them. They have an app and most basic banking functions can be done through it. You wouldn't want to do international transfers through a bank but receipt of funds from a FX exchange does not seem to trigger a fee which it did when I had an account with BoA. Fees are charged dependent on maintained balance.

I opened an account soon after with a local bank, South Carolina Bank and Trust which is now South State Bank which covers SC, NC and GA who were extremely helpful in getting us moved from a construction loan to a mortgage.