Who do you bank with?

I've been using local credit unions for ages but moving for grad school, internships, new jobs, etc. I think I need something with a wider reach. In particular I'd like something with decent interest rates as I'll be making more money than ever before and I'd like it to grow as much as possible. 

What banks are worth checking out, which suck and which ones do people recommend? 

22 Comments
 
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Don't pick your bank based on interest rate. You can have a separate savings account through Marcus, Capital One, etc. for that. Pick your bank based on ATM  locations (if your city has a bunch of Wells Fargo ATMs they may not be a bad choice), and if a bank has a no ATM Fee policy (Ally I believe does this?) they might be a good choice. That's pretty much it.

Your checking account is for collecting your paycheck and withdrawing cash. Credit card can (and should) be done separately to maximize the number of points you get. Savings account can / should be done separately to maximize the interest rate on your cash.

But also, don't hold all your savings in cash. I did that when I started working and it was stupid. Just invest gradually over time

 

Very helpful, thanks. I think Ally is probably a good choice as they have very good savings rates and refund ATM fees to make up for not having physical branches. 

 

Navy Federal Credit Union 

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

They have good car insurance rates and mortgage rates too. I don't qualify for Navy Fed but I'm considering a mortgage with Pen Fed, which is somewhat similar.

Quant (ˈkwänt) n: An expert, someone who knows more and more about less and less until they know everything about nothing.
 

Chase. You want as a wide of a nationwide ATM network as you can get. And then get a separate high yield savings account (HM Bradley gets you 3% which is my pick rn). But as said said above, only use that for your emergency fund. Don't save everything in cash. Cash is trash. Invest.

I'd also then get a separate checking account from Fidelity or Charles Schwab for when you travel internationally to withdraw without FX or ATM int'l withdrawal fees or if you can't find a Chase ATM nearby domestically. I keep grand in there in case I'm not near a Chase ATM and don't want to get gouged by fees (looking at you, Vegas casino floor ATMs with your asinine $6 fees).

 

thexfactor336

Chase. You want as a wide of a nationwide ATM network as you can get.

My bank (NFCU) is on the CO-OP ATM network. The network has 30,000 ATMs. Chase has about 16,000 ATMs. 
https://www.co-opfs.org/Solutions/Engage/CO-OP-ATM-Network

But, I hardly use ATMs anymore. 

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

Brokerage/Checking (w/ debit card) through Schwab, credit cards through Chase, savings account through Marcus. 

I think Chase has the best credit cards and programs, Amex has some good stuff and are probably on better footing to compete now that the CSR is a $550 AF. For the others, there are other options that are just as good (aka Fidelity and Vanguard for brokerage, and Ally or other high-yield savings accounts). Plus Schwab debit card has zero ATM fees anywhere, so I don't need to worry about being "in network" so to speak.

 

Same here. I use BofA checking/savings + Premium Rewards credit card (also have travel rewards one) + Merrill. The relationship bonus at $100k+ (which is calculated across your entire relationship including Merrill!) makes all of their products more appealing. For example with my credit card I get 2.625% cash back on everything and 3.5% on travel/dining, with a $95/year fee and $100 TSA credit (making the card practically free). 

Be excellent to each other, and party on, dudes.
 

Yep exactly. I feel like people sometimes trash BofA but I think as a long term banking platform, they're quite solid. I've been eyeing one of their cards to complement my AmEx for a while now.

Dayman?
 

Synergy_or_Syzygy

with my credit card I get 2.625% cash back on everything

-

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

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