jewels

I'm fed up with the credit union I've been with for over five years now. They're charging me $28 (I'm in their overdraft protection program) to avoid returned check fees and NSF fees. I totally don't get that when they took the money to cover the check from one of my three other linked accounts. Something similar happened a few months ago and I just fail to follow that logic and am ready to move on.

I have my "house" money in an ING (formerly with EmigrantDirect) account, so that's good.

I'm looking for a bank that won't take more than 3 days to get an online bill paid, that won't charge for ATM usage at certain ATMs, possibly one that offers a liquid hi-yield account and, very important for me, good customer service. I don't like talking to customer service people that are not allowed to know what happens with their money or mine.

I've been looking at BankOne, Bank of AMerica, Everbank, Wachovia, Netbank ... they all seem so similar and the only "reviews" are complaints, which can be found on anything, right? And Forbes thinks I've got $50K as a cushion.

So I'm asking for some help from you savvy people. What's your experience and who would you recommend that would meet most of my needs?

__________________
We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess.
Mark Twain

snowy

I'd look for another credit union before going with a commercial bank.

Bank of America's check fee is $35, and it's a total pain in the arse to try and get anything with them straightened out. Plus, they would prefer that you use an ATM over a teller. Generally, the corporate commercial banks could give two shits about customer service.

My credit union does all the things you are looking for (the three days on an online billpay may or may not be related to the usual time it takes for an electronic transfer, just so you know)--and it is a part of the Co-Op network, which allows me to use thousands of ATMs around the country for free. Around these parts, there are a couple of credit unions to choose from.

Have you exhausted all of your customer service options at your current credit union? At the very least, you should write them a letter explaining what happened and why you're considering taking your business elsewhere. Remember, in a credit union, you are a shareholder. If you are not happy with their performance, there are more options with a credit union than a commercial bank.

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If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Cynthetiq

I have found that the more money I have in the bank the better my customer service. I have also found that loyalty to an individual within a branch is key to getting good customer service when you are stuck with having to stay at a particular bank. Most of the time, a good discussion with the manager or your "friend" can net reversals of NSF and other fees.

Otherwise, I get what I pay for, which is nothing but shoddy service from the normal banks that I revolve my money into.

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I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

jewels

I did that both times. I did receive a personal call last time and was told I should have received a phone call alerting me that I needed to transfer funds. Period. They were nice about it but they will not reverse fees. They claim that they'd be willing to reverse the $28, but I'd be un-enrolled in the Overdraft Protection and would be liable for all the other fees as well. (And I still didn't get a phone call or an email. Go figure.)

What pisses me off is that they funded it by transferring from another linked account anyway. Ugh. Does your CU charge for the actual transfer from a linked account if they do the transfer without you initiating it?

__________________
We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess.
Mark Twain

Glory's Sun

Most people think that banks just won't help them out. Often times if you call or go to the branch and talk with a manager, you'd be surprised how much they budge. You can get your fees lowered or even dropped completely just by having a short conversation. I would think the chances would be even better in the credit unions. So go to the CU and have a little chat with the manager before making a decision about another bank.. what's the worst that can happen?

Xazy

very true, it is important to have know a key person in the bank who knows how to help you out. Also a lot of banks are willing to wave different fees to keep a customer once he has substantial money in the bank. I also use several different blogs and try to keep an eye on banks across the country for different rates for cd's / bonds / savings. MY main checking account only pays 4 bills a month (one being my credit card in full and I charge everything), and everything else goes in to my savings. This way I can maximize my monthly interest.

An example of one of the sites is this one. Anyway good luck.

Willravel

I use BofA simply because they have more ATM machines around here than everyone else combined. I always have at least $50k in my savings, so they tend to treat me fine.

Online banking really differs, I've found, based on where the money is going. I have one credit card that usually takes about 4 days to show that I've made a payment, but Amazon and such usually post within 24 hours (usually less). Customer service is fine. Returned check fees? I have no clue. I only write checks when I have more than enough in my account.

tooth

How is it the bank's fault that you are irresponsible with your money?

jewels

Maybe I wasn't clear about it in my OP. When I had signed on for "Automatic Overdraft Protection", I was just asked if I wanted it and was told it was so they would pay all items. Of course I authorized this as I had over $40K in linked accounts when I set this up, and six years later had always assumed they would transfer my own linked funds to cover on my behalf. "Automatic Overdraft Protection": why would I even ask?

I take full responsibility for my finances. My only mistake was thinking that I'd be contacted so I could have transferred the funds myself. The commercial bank that I'd previously used would call me if there was ever any problem with my account. Maybe I was spoiled.

__________________
We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess.
Mark Twain

Willravel

Jewels, I always check my account balance online before writing a check in case the bank makes a mistake (which it has several times in the past).

Cynthetiq

actually tho, if you still have any outstanding checks that have not been cashed, will not be reflected. this is why it is important to reconcile your checkbook and note any outstanding checks and hold onto those funds until the check is cashed.

__________________
I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

Willravel

Yes, that's true, too.

jewels

Did that, too, but looked too quickly. I saw that the large check I was waiting for had cleared but there was an outstanding large check for about the same amount. I forgot. That's what happened. I still don't get how it warrants punishment when it's still my money that was automatically transferred to cover it.

__________________
We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess.
Mark Twain

Crack

I have never had a problem with Chase...

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Crack, you and I are long overdue for a vicious bout of mansex.

~Halx

tooth

That's it in a nutshell.

Consider it a $28 lesson in keeping your check register up-to-date and balanced. Why shouldn't the bank charge you something to not bounce your check?

Lubeboy

I currently use BOA. I have never had a problem with them. Checks and cash deposits post the same day. I haven't gone to a bank teller in over 10 years. I love how they have locations everywhere. The online banking is great as well.

Banks I hate and have had bad experiences with: Chase, Wachovia, Commerce, and WAMU. Mostly crappy customer service, shitty online banking, unnecessary fees, checks and deposits take forever to clear. They may have improved their services since my experience with them, but I'm never going to use them ever again.

ngdawg

Many banks now do the "overdraft protection" fee as a "service" so that no one gets bounced checks. Bounced checks are more of a hassle than just going ahead and honoring it, then charging you for the privilege.

Last fall, because of this "courtesy"(as they call it), we were charged $238 in total NSF fees because the spouse went on a debit card spree and nothing came up as wrong. When I went into my local branch seething, the CS insisted the best they could do for me was reverse two of the charges ($68) as a "courtesy" and suggested I watch our account closer. But, like Cyn mentioned, if checks are outstanding or if one or two things are amiss(I've had checks lost and checks taken for the wrong amount), and I go to check balances online, I'd still be incorrect. Then when they start charging for NSFs, I have no way of knowing why I'm short until the statement comes.

Yep, they call it a "courtesy".....