Help! What is the best bank? Well's has screwed me for the last time!

[Selwynn]

I am done with Wells Fargo. They have screwed me for the last time.

Any recommendations on another good bank?

I want:
-Free Online access, with QUALITY statements, access, options
-Free Online Bill Pay
-A VISA Check card
-Quality Checking and savings accounts with low or no monthly fees
-Some kind of option for overdraft protection

I've looked at Washington Mutual, US Bank and Bank of America so far. Any recommendations?

[GOPisEvil]

1. Are you eligible to join a credit union?

You get much better service than at a bank in most cases.

[ProfessorGAC]

9. Thanks, For That Plug

I'm on the BoD of a $100 million dollar CU. We are community chartered, so anyone who lives in the tricounty area can walk in and become a member. There's lots of those around, so finding one shouldn't be that hard.

We also have credit cards, debit cards, loans of all types (including SB loans), all savings instruments, investment referral services, and on-line banking. (Plus direct deposit.)

If the original poster can find one of those, i think it would make them happy.
The Professor

[GOPisEvil]

19. I'm a member of two CUs.

Both of them are excellent. I was offered a FREE checking account at Bank of America when my mortgage processed. Free everything including a safe-deposit box. I declined. I like my credit unions.

[eyesroll]

2. Do you have access to a credit union?

My credit union offers all of that except free online bill pay. BUT their checking and savings accounts have no fees unless you use your ATM/debit card (with PIN -- signatures are unlimited) more than 10 times a month for withdrawals or purchases or you overdraw (and they do have plenty of overdraft options).

[Senior citizen]

3. My credit union has all that

No fees on checking or savings. Overdraft protection (if I have enough in savings to cover a bounced check) costs me $2.00 each time it happens.

Great online access, free bill pay, VISA debit card with unlimited usage and no extra fees. Sometimes I use my debit card to buy $2.35 in groceries at the nearest convenience store--no problem. It also has full VISA protections on larger purchases.

Credit unions are the way to go, but look for the best one in your area. Not all are as good as mine.

[NashVegas]

4. You Get What You Pay For

If you want all the freebies you need to start with a healthy balance of 2k or more, probably. And keep it there.

It also helps if you try smaller, local banks.

[Shakespeare]

5. Not necessarily.....

I have all of those things he lists with my Bank of America account--the catch? You have to have direct deposit on your paychecks, which I (and most people, I think) do. Totally free.

[MissMillie]

6. Go with a credit union

it's just plain better.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

7. My sister's account at Washington Mutual has been hacked three times

in the past two years...it happened at the WORST times and their policy in the matter left her without funds for two weeks

[Beaverhausen]

8. Washington Mutual

free checking, free savings- with an automatic transfer every month from my checking account, free visa check card, overdraft, online stuff.

I too left Wells Fargo.

Stay FAR AWAY from B of A. They totally suck.

[Sequoia]

10. Wells Fargo is horrid!!!!

Last week I went to get a money order for rent. I get them free and don't trust my landlord to cash checks on time, etc. So on Friday I go to the ATM to get some cash and my account says I'm overdrawn by $800, and my funds are frozen. I go stomping in, because this is the 2nd time in as many weeks they've pulled this crap. Come to find out the stupid bank had double-billed me. Both times the bank was in error and all they could do was say they were sorry. I work with a guy who got screwed by them in the same way and he was on the road in the middle of nowhere trying to get gas. Wells Fargo is a wretched bank. The only good thing about them is their logo.

[Selwynn]

16. YUP - happened to me AND my friend...

[Speck Tater]

11. A local credit union is the best bet. IMHO (nt)

[burrowowl]

12. Credit Union

Bank of America sucks.

[RebelOne]

18. Exactly why does Bank of America suck?

I have been with them for many years and have had no problems.

[BlueCollar]

13. Credit Union

Banks suck

[AntiCoup2K4]

14. Washington Mutual, definitely!

Whatever you do, AVOID BANK OF AMERICA AT ALL COSTS. They are so vile they should be called "Bank of Hell". It took me 10 years to get something off my credit record because of those vile criminals. (and yes, that's after it was paid off)

[RebelYell]

15. Go to a credit union, not a bank

We have totally free everything, even make interest on our deposits. Also, the checks are free.

Edit typo

[RebelOne]

17. Bank of America has all that.

That's who I use.

[bratcatinok]

20. I bank with

Bank of America. I've never had a problem with them. I used to work for them and am retired medically from BofA. I never worked the bank end since I was in mortgage.

In order for anyone to know I'm a BofA retiree the customer service reps have to go to a special 'employee' screen. I never tell them I'm an employee unless I need one of the free perks employees are given (like wire transfers and stuff most people rarely if ever use).

I made a mistake in my account balance and it created a rash of NSF checks. The bank covered them but charged me. Once I thought all of the dust had settled, I called the regular line, apologized and was making sure I was back in the black again. After determining I should be fine and had enough funds for any other checks outstanding, the very nice customer service person credited half of the NSF charges back to my account. She did this without ever knowing I was an anuitant of BofA and with me acknowledging all of it was my fault.

Yes, BofA is a big bank but I've never found them to act like it.

On edit: BofA has different levels of ATM cards too. The different levels determine the amount you can withdraw from an atm machine on any given day. They also offer all of the other things you want from a bank.

[ronnykmarshall]

25. BofA is my other bank

I bank with Union Bank of California (my employeer) and we have accounts with BofA as well.

[trof]

21. and the winner IS...CREDIT UNION!

Just changed our accounts to one a few months ago.

[HuckleB]

22. 1. Credit Union 2. BA Free Checking (if u can still get it) 3. Wash. Mutu.

A credit union with ATM agreements with other local credit unions is usually the best way to go. Unfortunately, you often still pay for withdrawals when traveling, which is why we maintain our BA free checking account.

The word on the street is that Washington Mutual is tops in service for regular banks, however.

I think you'll be happier than you were with WF, no matter how you go!

[Selwynn]

23. There are no credit unions I am elligble for in my area that...

..have the features I need. So thank you for the credit union responses, I know they are best, but itsn ot going to work for me.

I'm leaning towards Washington Mutual at the moment..

[Bertha Venation]

24. I liked Washington Mutual. I wish they did banking out here.

Skip B of A. They suck worse than Wells Fargo.