Best US Bank Account?
#17
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Ventura, CA
Posts: 16
Re: Best US Bank Account?
If B of A fails, the US will go down in flames, so not having any money will be the least of my worries.
#19
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Ventura, CA
Posts: 16
Re: Best US Bank Account?
All banks mess up. My parents had Wells Fargo for a number of years and absolutely hated them. The constant problems they had were utterly ridiculous. I won't say I've never had any problems with B of A over the years, but they are usually very quick to resolve whatever is wrong. I just feel more secure dealing with a bigger bank, especially inlight of the recent trouble in the banking sector.
Last edited by GSH; Sep 4th 2008 at 1:10 am.
#20
Re: Best US Bank Account?
All banks mess up. My parents had Wells Fargo for a number of years and absolutely hated them. The amount of trouble they had was utterly ridiculous. I won't say I've never had any problems with B of A over the years, but they are usually very quick to resolve whatever was wrong. I just feel more secure dealing with a bigger bank, especially inlight of the recent trouble in the banking sector.
#21
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 96
Re: Best US Bank Account?
I'm a big fan of the Fidelity mysmartcash account:
i) No ATM fees anywhere (they always reimburse you what other banks charge)
ii) Unlimited free cheques
iii) Good online bill paying
iv) No minimum balance
v) Can buy a money market fund within the account with a decent (for the US) interest rate -- without the money market fund you earn 1.5% -- with the money market fund it's about 2.5% currently
i) No ATM fees anywhere (they always reimburse you what other banks charge)
ii) Unlimited free cheques
iii) Good online bill paying
iv) No minimum balance
v) Can buy a money market fund within the account with a decent (for the US) interest rate -- without the money market fund you earn 1.5% -- with the money market fund it's about 2.5% currently
#23
Re: Best US Bank Account?
Banks suck. I just closed my third account this year because they are bags of shite. Looked at my statement to see a $12 debit for a service switch. I call and they don't know why and can't do anything about it. I go into the branch and the first person doesn't know why it happened. The second person doesn't either but acts like it's no big deal and tries to blame it on me (must have been a miscommunication when I opened the account, even though I have the paper work that says otherwise) but agrees to refund it. Then he looked surprised when I asked to close it. "But I refunded you the fee, why would you want to close your account?" Umm, because you stole $12 from me in the first place and have no idea why. All I want the damn account for is to run a football team! Pay in sponsorship money and dues and pay the facility to play, it's not my money and it's not a whole lot. Wankers.
#24
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 906
Re: Best US Bank Account?
http://www.jdpower.com/finance/ratin...ings/southeast
This link will take you to the JD Power bank ratings, might help you.
This link will take you to the JD Power bank ratings, might help you.
#25
Pain in the Butt
Joined: Mar 2006
Location: Newark, DE
Posts: 286
Re: Best US Bank Account?
Depends if you have a SSN yet or not. If you do, I'd recommend ING Direct and their EO account.
#26
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 202
Re: Best US Bank Account?
FYI: anything under 100K with a bank is covered by the FDIC if the bank was to fail.
The FDIC whilst a bit short of cash at the moment due to IndyMac is a government backed organisation so you should be pretty safe anywhere that is covered by them (all I think).
If you have more than 100K to deposit consider seriously spreading it around a little.
The FDIC whilst a bit short of cash at the moment due to IndyMac is a government backed organisation so you should be pretty safe anywhere that is covered by them (all I think).
If you have more than 100K to deposit consider seriously spreading it around a little.
#27
Re: Best US Bank Account?
well you get charged $3 to take it out of the atm...but the exchang rate is usually pretty good!
#28
Re: Best US Bank Account?
Also worth opening a 'get you by account' on arrival and then taking advantage of one of the 'welcome to the neighborhood' mailings you will get from any number of banks once you have been in town for a few weeks and have started to sign up for phone, electric etc. There are some good offers from WaMu, Citi and Wells Fargo at the moment. Just check the small print.
Sir Denis
Sir Denis
#29
Re: Best US Bank Account?
LOCAL CREDIT UNION.
They are the best we've had yet and I've been in US for over 20yrs.
Free checking
Bank online
Bill paying online
Go paperless, no bills in the mail if you want.
friendly local people who actually know who we are when we go in or call.
CC with lower rates than my HSBC CC.
ATM card with visa logo, no fees to get money out with it. I used it all over UK at cash machines and in shops and it hardly cost a thing a few cents for the transaction changing the money to dollars.
Cheap tickets to many attractions such as six flags and Disney.
Low interest rates on loans (car and house)
They are the best we've had yet and I've been in US for over 20yrs.
Free checking
Bank online
Bill paying online
Go paperless, no bills in the mail if you want.
friendly local people who actually know who we are when we go in or call.
CC with lower rates than my HSBC CC.
ATM card with visa logo, no fees to get money out with it. I used it all over UK at cash machines and in shops and it hardly cost a thing a few cents for the transaction changing the money to dollars.
Cheap tickets to many attractions such as six flags and Disney.
Low interest rates on loans (car and house)