OT - what a great bank!

So, I've been having problems w/ my current bank and have decided to open a checking account at a different one...but where? I have been visiting various sites & reading up on the checking accounts they offer, but they all seem somewhat similar.

So, I thought I'd ask here: does anyone have a checking account somewhere that offers points, rewards, stellar customer service, and/or anythinggg else that would make it highly reccommendable?

Thanks in advance!

ps - dont know if this matters, but I live in NYC.

Wed. Jan 30, 3:46pm

Commerce Bank has been a crowd pleaser in the past. The lines are out the door near my place in Brooklyn. Washington Mutual has been having some mortgage problems so I'd guess they'd be doing some promotions to get new customers in.

I bank with Chase and I love them for their customer service. The only thing is that I have a lot of money, so I don't know what their service is like if you are poor. Probably crappy like most things in life. Which is why it makes no sense to be poor. You know?

Wednesday, January 30, 2008, 3:49 PM

Haha, be careful PP... people on here will jump on that type of comment pretty quick as being rude. I think that its the funniest thing I have heard all day. i totally agree... it makes no sense to be poor and I think I should stop at once.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008, 4:07 PM

Keep your eyes open for promotional stuff from Capital One - they acquired North Fork and will be rolling out the new branding in the next month or two.
I also live in NYC.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008, 4:39 PM

Credit Unions are the way to go if you can get in!

Wednesday, January 30, 2008, 4:46 PM

I don't know of any checking accounts that offer points/rewards. I think that is mostly associated with credit cards.

For a checking account, I look for somewhere with a branch that is convenient for me - right near home or work - b/c customer service is almost always better in person than over the phone. And, I look for ones with ATMs near places that I go often (work, home, and out and about) so I never have to pay ATM fees. I bank with Chase, and I like them b/c there are a ton where I live (Chicago), and also in most places where I travel (New York, Florida, etc. None in Vegas...)

For savings, I opened an account with Citi because they had a very high interest rate. They often do, as do online-only type banks. But, that's savings, not checking.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008, 4:52 PM

Capital One is horrible. Have you thought about an on line bank. I have 2 accounts, one with Emigrant Direct where I earn 5.25% cash back, well now its slightly lower since interest rates went down, I also have an account with E-Trade, where I earn 4.75% Both of these have been excellent and even though I can't go into one in person their customer service has been awesome and I am getting cash back. You do have to keep a certain amount in the Emigrant one, but nothing else beats it. Between the 2 accounts not only am I earning cash back for money spent but I also earn at least $450 month in interest.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008, 4:53 PM

as a poor person I have to agree wholeheartedly. Makes no sense at all. What I am realizing is that being poor is a lot like being fat. While one is responsible for their own actions, those around us have a huge effect on us.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008, 4:54 PM

I should point out one more thing Emigrant does have checking accounts and they do tie into credit card where you earn your cash back and it automatically goes into your checking.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008, 4:55 PM

Ah - the problem with being poor is that one makes no cents ;-)

I've been with Wells Fargo from my struggling college years to my fairly comfy professional years. I don't recommend them, and have moved most of my banking to a local credit union, but I have to agree that banks switch to a different level of service when you keep a minimum amount of cash, that I consider to be a fairly good-sized chunk, in their institution. Maybe not fair but definitely true.

Credit Unions++ Ours has been nothing but excellent. Great rates, terrific service.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008, 6:00 PM

Wells Fargo use to have connections with the mob. I remember that from the mid 80's.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008, 9:06 PM

I like bank of America. I got 85 dollars as a incentive to open a checking acct. For it to be free you have to have 1 electronic transfer a month though. So I had my social security check go there. I also got a credit card at the same time and all is working out well.
By the way I am POOR

Wednesday, January 30, 2008, 10:55 PM

If you have a family member in the military, USAA is hands down the way to go. I have checking, savings, a credit card, car insurance, and renters insurance with them and I've never had a problem. Every time I call they are wonderful. When I totalled my car they took care of absolutely everything. Plus, you can use any ATM and they reimburse the fees.

Thursday, January 31, 2008, 5:34 AM

I only do drive threw windows banks are always being robbed in the dallas area, I'd freak if I was inside with someone pointing a gun.

Friday, February 01, 2008, 1:04 AM

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