What Bank for Checking Account?

So this may be a silly question, but I have no idea so I am going to ask you guys. I have a small bank from my home town that I use, but I want to use a bigger bank that is widespread in NY for when I start working. I waited until I got a job because I thought that if I got a job a JPMorgan, I would get a Chase account, and if it were Citi I would get a Citibank account, etc. I thought it might not look that great if I worked at Citi and had a Chase bank account, etc.

But I am going to be working at Goldman, so what bank do you guys recommend me using? Preferably one that has an ATM somewhere close to 200 West St

57 Comments
 

Fidelity or Charles Schwab. Both pay interest, reimburse all ATM fees, and allow you to deposit checks either via their smart phone apps or mail.

 

Well, TD Banknorth does, but I am not sure if you have a branch close to your bank.

That was the biggest seller for me, because I got destroyed by ATM fees last summer

 

problem w/ boa is that the don't have that many branches/atms in the wall st area....

chase is affiliated with duane reade so all the duane reade atms are chase (and if you have ever been in manhattan duane reades are as common as Starbucks).

 

The thing that bothers me about e*trade and other online banks is that they don't have any branches (or if they do, they are not close to me). At the end of the day, I would like to go an be able to deposit a check instead mailing it and risk it getting lost. In addition, there is an element of human interaction that is invaluable, I think

 

For money market i use ufbdirect.com. Refund ALL atm fees and pay 5.31% interest rate right now. No branches of course, but setting up direct deposit for a portion of my check is easy.

 

I like ING Direct. Great online banking. 4% apr interest on checking, 4.5% apr interest on savings. No fee. Don't pay fees at non ING atms. Free $25 when you sign up. Only con is that they don't do wire transfers. So when I wanted to wire my rent payments when I found my apt, I couldn't do it.

Signed up with WaMu the other day for the free wire transfers. They offer a nice 5% apr interest rate on savings, no interest on checking though.

 

chase i think has the most ATMs in nyc and also is offering a $100 reward if you sign up with them using direct deposit

 

I currently bank with a big bank and don't pay anything to bank with them. I simply hate the smug attitude of their employees and have been considering switching to a smaller big bank like Wells.

You're born, you take shit. You get out in the world, you take more shit. You climb a little higher, you take less shit. Till one day you're up in the rarefied atmosphere and you've forgotten what shit even looks like. Welcome to the layer cake, son.
 

Wells is smaller than my current bank. That is why I said "smaller big bank."

I have a credit union, it's just meh.

You're born, you take shit. You get out in the world, you take more shit. You climb a little higher, you take less shit. Till one day you're up in the rarefied atmosphere and you've forgotten what shit even looks like. Welcome to the layer cake, son.
 
Best Response

I have two seperate bank accounts, one with a big bank and one with my employer. The big box shop is where I do my basic banking services (checking, bill pay, etc.). I have a banking account with my employer since I get better rates on savings than I do with my big name bank. Whenever I need to move funds, I cut a check from my account and have it print in my office before walking the 2-3 blocks to the bank to deposit it.

I do need to second what IP said about Credit Unions. They are a much safer place to hold your money. It's something that I plan to look at in the near future. I just dislike my big box shop that damned much.

There are a few nice smaller banks (Bank of the West comes to mind), but they are hard to find here on the East Coast.

 
IlliniProgrammerChase. GROAN

I quit dealing with Chase back in college after they let me overdraw my account for a debit transaction.

That and when they wanted me to renew my one year Washington Mutual CD at 0.25%/year interest with a 3% early withdrawal fee.

haha

I still go to Jamie Dimon for some stuff. I have a checking at a community bank as well.

 

I'll second the credit union suggestion. The convenience of it being on location is obviously great, but their service is top notch. I actually go down there and handle most of my banking in person because they're so great. I do stll have an account at Fifth Third, but they're awful so I probably haven't set foot in their in 5 years.

I'm currently earning 2.5% (limited to $25k) in my checking account through my credit union and they offered very competitive mortgage rates as well.

twitter: @CorpFin_Guy
 

I've got my checking account with Charles Schwab - 0.75% interest (variable) which is decent for checking, and the real sweetener is free use of any ATM in the world. Just agree to the fee at any BofA, Wells, Chase, or other ATM, and Schwab rebates me the fees at the end of the month. Yes, they'll even rebate you the $10 strip club ATM fee. Really.

Brokerage and IRA with TradeKing, since their trades are cheap and I don't need anything fancy. 401K with Fidelity because that's who my employer uses.

For credit cards - I have the Gold Amex because the 3X travel and 2X grocery rewards really stack up for me. I've also had a Citi Dividend Platinum card for years now, but hardly use it since I got the Amex.

IP - I refuse to do any business with Ally. I can't bring myself to support the disaster that is GMAC.

- Capt K - "Prestige is like a powerful magnet that warps even your beliefs about what you enjoy. If you want to make ambitious people waste their time on errands, bait the hook with prestige." - Paul Graham
 
CaptKYes, they'll even rebate you the $10 strip club ATM fee. Really.

This could have saved me thousands in college =\

You're born, you take shit. You get out in the world, you take more shit. You climb a little higher, you take less shit. Till one day you're up in the rarefied atmosphere and you've forgotten what shit even looks like. Welcome to the layer cake, son.
 

Wells Fargo can blow me.

I'm banking with US Bank right now, I'm actually really surprised at how well they've treated me. They're smallish for a big bank, and it definitely has more of a small-bank atmosphere when you walk through the door. At least mine does :)

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

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