I'm so over Bank of America. Let's compare US banks

[The Adult Broker]

3x in the last month I have found fee charges to my accounts. when I went through all my statements of last month or so, the fees were like $300 plus dollars!

now I get a statement and they are charging me $29.95 on my business account! since when? I investigated and the bank took liberty to change my account status to a business advantage and I've been getting charged monthly fees of $29.95 for the last 3 months.

their customer service reps are assholes, won't do a damn thing for you, could care less and its a waste of time on the phone so

I went right into the bank and told them that after 14 years of being a customer either they take these fees off or I close all my accounts, take my money out and walk across the street to Washington Mutual, Bank One, Wells Fargo or any in the 3 block radius. They reimbursed me almost all of it. But who decided to change my account status type without my knowledge, that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. I told them that its unnerving to have someone take liberties with my accounts.

I asked them to go into the records and find out who did the change and when, they said they don't have a log in the system to check on the person who may have done it. that's nice.

but man, B of A is getting worse each day. it's over $400 I have caught in charges. I should probably go back into the statements a year to see what they really got out of me.

Out of the US banks, any suggestions?

[aico]

Small local banks really appreciate business and give you a more personal experience.

[ADL Colin]

Originally Posted by aico

Small local banks really appreciate business and give you a more personal experience.

Yeah but historically small, local banks are at the greatest risk to go under during a credit crunch. Fine if you have less than $100k though.

[BradM]

Try a credit union. DO NOT use Washington Mutual, you want to talk about fees and changes and swaps and incompetence? WOW I had a horrible experience with Wamu, and so have dozens of others I talk to. My mother in law got over 10k in savings frozen because it was a "suspicious amount" or some BS, because her parents gave her a gift allowance. They wouldn't release it until she proved it was hers or some crap. Insane.

[smax]

who the hell is dumb enough to keep more then 100k in a single bank account, regardless of bank? spread that stuff out between checking, savings, mma's and cma's.

As for good banks, I switched from Chase over to Wachovia a little over a year ago and love it

[Forest]

i have 2 business and 2 personal accounts with washington mutual.

So far I have been very happy. Although they do charge 10.00 per incoming wire fee for the business acct other then that all the accts are free. free checking free atm up to a certain amount (I never use atm so I dont know the limit) and I have had great experiences with my local bank reps. I actually have a personal bank rep at my branch who has been great.

Quick story. I was there last week making a deposit and getting cash for a trip I was taking that weekend. I got to talking to the teller who is my personal bank rep and did my biz and left. I got home and realized I had forgotten to take my cash withdrawl from the cash dispenser they use for cash withdrwals. I went back to the bank figuring the next person after me had gotten the money. Linda my banker had the cash and had already filled out a deposit slip for my acct to put the cash back in if I hadnt come back. Now thats service

[The Adult Broker]

Originally Posted by Forest

i have 2 business and 2 personal accounts with washington mutual.

So far I have been very happy. Although they do charge 10.00 per incoming wire fee for the business acct other then that all the accts are free. free checking free atm up to a certain amount (I never use atm so I dont know the limit) and I have had great experiences with my local bank reps. I actually have a personal bank rep at my branch who has been great.

Quick story. I was there last week making a deposit and getting cash for a trip I was taking that weekend. I got to talking to the teller who is my personal bank rep and did my biz and left. I got home and realized I had forgotten to take my cash withdrawl from the cash dispenser they use for cash withdrwals. I went back to the bank figuring the next person after me had gotten the money. Linda my banker had the cash and had already filled out a deposit slip for my acct to put the cash back in if I hadnt come back. Now thats service

Wow that is service! I have 4 accounts with B of A - maybe some other bank wants my money who will actually act like they care.

[RTP]

WAMU is pretty good, I've been with them for about 3 years with 3 business accounts. BofA was a real nightmare, one day missing 20k from an account, someone had used the funds to pay off a Chase...called them up, "oh sorry about we've had some problems with certain accounts being compromised", cleared it up same day without question but since never went back

[smoke]

Take a look at this yahoo article on best and worst banks.

http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-bud...-and-the-Worst

[Holly Lez!]

Union Bank sucks! Don't even try it girlie

[The Promo Guy]

i like commerce and HSBC

[PornGeneral]

Personal I use USAA and absolutely love it!!!!!!!!!! 10x

Business I have Chase but was going to checkout Wachovia heard some good stories and they are very close by...

[IllTestYourGirls]

Now go to a branch and ask to close all your accounts and ask for cash and accept nothing but cash.... Come back and tell me how that works out for you.

[OG LennyT]

fuck banks

I try to keep all my money in a brokerage and a 401k account.. WAMU is about to go under, check out their stock

[CarlosTheGaucho]

Interesting read, seems it's not only me having terrible experience with banking..

Actually, where I am from it is the most expensive banking system in the whole EU, the banks make 54 pct. of their income just from misscelaneous fees.

I guess most of the money they make is from the broke majority stripping them off 2 USD for every ATM machine use or every bank transfer.

Hell some banks even charge you a fee if you DEPOSIT money!

I also had an old personal account I haven't used for like two years, so I haven't deposited anything for like 2 years, after some time the money dissapeared due to the "maintaince" fees, and I got into negative of about - 0,10 USD (ten cents).

What happened is they sent me a mail to an adress I don't live at, but where I have my permanent residency - the family house. They don't open my mail and I am there like once every one or two months now.. it was a regulary delivered letter stating if I don't fix the account ballance of - 0.10 USD within 7 days I am going to be put into a NATIONAL DEBTORS REGISTER or how would that be called if translated.

I opened the letter like a week after the term was gone, noone called, noone notified me, it was a regularly delivered letter - well now you can imagine what for an incredible hassle did it take to get me out of the national register for owing 0,10 USD for 14 days...

Idiots, I actually want to open me an account abroad, the best if a USD account, anyone have any experience opening a personal / business account as a foreign citizen?

[mike-al]

Had some money in LaSalle, which just got acquired by Bank of America, my CD was up so
to renew it they offered me a WHOPPERING 2.79% on top of that ZERO FEATURES AND TONS OF WITHDRAWL EARLY PENALTIES..

I found another bank gave me 3.5x% with one free bump up to better rate if such should happen, and i can withdrawl 50% with no penalty...

FUCK BANK OF AMERICA

[kristin]

Don't get me started on BofA ... I was at their ATM last night for 20 minutes depositing checks. One by one ...

[baddog]

Originally Posted by kristin

Don't get me started on BofA ... I was at their ATM last night for 20 minutes depositing checks. One by one ...

I refuse to use the ATM's for deposits any longer. I told them, and they accept it.

It helps when you say "the new system sucks" loud enough for others to hear as you can be sure others will then speak up.

[kristin]

Originally Posted by baddog

I refuse to use the ATM's for deposits any longer. I told them, and they accept it.

It helps when you say "the new system sucks" loud enough for others to hear as you can be sure others will then speak up.

Yeah, I'm still very much that Word of Mouth is the best advertising, or worst in this case.

I had to use the ATM last night, otherwise I go to the drive-thru (something I never did until they implemented their new system).

[Brother Bilo]

Ya, Bank of America F'd me right in the A. Haven't had any problems with Chase or Wamu yet, but they have time.

Credit Unions are usually a solid bet though.

[AlienQ - BANNED FOR LIFE]

I use a private local Bank.

Big Banks are nothing but pure scams.

[JA$ON]

Originally Posted by ADL Colin

Yeah but historically small, local banks are at the greatest risk to go under during a credit crunch. Fine if you have less than $100k though.

Its not really safe no matter what you have.

FDIC makes people feel safe by saying "INSURED UP TO 100k". If you read their small print (someone just pointed this out to me the other day) They have up to 20yrs I believe to pay off all the insured claims

[The Adult Broker]

Originally Posted by kristin

Yeah, I'm still very much that Word of Mouth is the best advertising, or worst in this case.

I had to use the ATM last night, otherwise I go to the drive-thru (something I never did until they implemented their new system).

I totally agree, and believe me the whole bank heard me when I was in there!

brokerage account...hmmm that might be an option

[Juicy D. Links]

fuck those pricks , i dropped them 3 or so years ago cause if there bulllshit.....

One incident which led me over the top was a Us check for a sexy amount that took 3 weeks for it to clear the check was from major bank also.... in there fine details it says some BS and shit... back n forth with them then i closed all accounts there


they ...all fucking banks are pricks

[Barefootsies]

Originally Posted by aico

Small local banks really appreciate business and give you a more personal experience.

Exactly.

Look at your local/area/regional credit unions. You are treated much better, and not nickel and dimed to death.

National City had my business for 10 years. But they kept tacking on these bullshit fees, and all of a sudden I have to spend time policing all my accounts. From business, partnership, and personal. Plus it's like pulling teeth to get anything out of the norm.

I switch to the credit union, and once had been there I bit. I was approved for every loan, refinance, etc. Plus I am not nickel and dimed. Their fees are less. My direct deposits, and ACH come in like they should. Not get held for an extra day/weekend, etc.

Oh, and when I DID have an issue at the credit union. I wrote their VP, they fixed the issue, sent me a letter, called me, and gave me a $100 Meijer gift card. Good luck getting shit from a bigger bank.

[Barefootsies]

Originally Posted by BradM

Try a credit union. DO NOT use Washington Mutual, you want to talk about fees and changes and swaps and incompetence?

Keep in mind that WaMu is actually a re-branded Providian (the old scamming credit card company).

Run a search on them. Interesting little lawsuit they had before the name change.

[Bdiddy]

Originally Posted by The Adult Broker

I totally agree, and believe me the whole bank heard me when I was in there!

brokerage account...hmmm that might be an option

If you're considering a brokerage account, I recommend Fidelity

As well as having 50% of my investments there and Roth IRA, it has a full featured checking account that has worked globally everywhere ive traveled. Occasionally my card will be locked due to a high purchase at my current location, but one quick phone call and it's sorted out. Great service

[Furious_Male]

I have had accounts at most major banks. They all have issues whether it be crazy fees or terrible service. I currently bank with both HSBC and Bank Of America and haven't had any major problems with either since 01.

[Sly]

I'm with the crowd... go local. I have accounts at two different credit unions and have no complaints. They really seem to value my business.

[V_RocKs]

I dropped BofA for the same reasons. Mysterious charges. Sure they would remove them when I got loud but, they wouldn't when I was asking nicely. No explanation for why I kept getting these charges.

I switched to Wells Fargo and it has been better. But I still don't get the level of service I think I deserve.

So I just opened an account at WAMU. Wow.. Very helpful people.

[Wagerboy]

Bank Of America sucks COCK. They hate adult, period. I had a wire come from abroad, with an "adult" type name of the company and they froze my acct for 1 week for fraud. My biz acct, my mainstream biz acct, 2 personal accts and savings. Then closed my bancinvestments(stock acct). I closed all accts, and with no warning, sent me to collections for over $600 for fees they have still yet to explain...Never again. I might sue them for kicks, Im still up in the air about it. Stay away!!!

[GetSCORECash]

Go with a local bank, where you can get to know the tellers and bank manager. Forget about all the B.S. concerning the credit crunch.

When you need a loan, these banks are the best.

[The Adult Broker]

Originally Posted by Bdiddy

If you're considering a brokerage account, I recommend Fidelity

As well as having 50% of my investments there and Roth IRA, it has a full featured checking account that has worked globally everywhere ive traveled. Occasionally my card will be locked due to a high purchase at my current location, but one quick phone call and it's sorted out. Great service

That sounds like a good option. brokerage house, credit union-those places seem to be good options to explore.

believe me a big GO FUCK YOURSELF will be in order for B of A as soon as I find a new place. and I can be loud and will have no qualms about word of mouth, as you can see

[The Adult Broker]

you know what, I am going to take a couple of my accts and put them in a union or brokerage and see how it goes before transferring every thing.

what do you think?

[Wizzo]

I've been using WashingtonMutual for about 3 years for both business and personal and have never had such great service from a bank.

In fact, just about a month ago I opened a new business account and got the debit card in the mail for it, though I don't really need it for that account. My banker called like a week later and wanted to check that I got it because she noticed it wasn't activated yet and she did it for me right there on the phone to save me the trouble of calling in. To me that's service and could list numerous other experiences like that from WaMu...

[Chris]

Originally Posted by The Adult Broker

you know what, I am going to take a couple of my accts and put them in a union or brokerage and see how it goes before transferring every thing.

what do you think?

ill send ya my wire information
ill hold the money and we can see what happens?

Sounds like a plan!

[ADL Colin]

Originally Posted by JA$ON

Its not really safe no matter what you have.

FDIC makes people feel safe by saying "INSURED UP TO 100k". If you read their small print (someone just pointed this out to me the other day) They have up to 20yrs I believe to pay off all the insured claims

If you look at the most recent bank failures though all the bank deposits (up to $100k ) were transferred to another institution immediately. Funds available that same week.

[ADL Colin]

Originally Posted by ADL Colin

If you look at the most recent bank failures though all the bank deposits (up to $100k ) were transferred to another institution immediately. Funds available that same week.

Example:

http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/Hume.html

On March 7, 2008, Hume Bank, Hume, MO was closed by the Missouri Division of Finance and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was named Receiver. No advance notice is given to the public when a financial institution is closed.

...

all insured deposit accounts have been transferred to Security Bank, Rich Hill, MO ("assuming institution") and will be available immediately. Your bank will re-open on Monday during regular business hours at the former Hume Bank main office and branch.

Principal and interest on insured accounts, through March 7, 2008, are fully insured by the FDIC, up to the insurance limit of $100,000. You will receive full payment for your insured account. Certain entitlements and different types of accounts may be insured for more than the $100,000 limit. IRA funds are insured separately from other types of accounts, up to a $250,000 limit.

[Jace]

bank of america is HORRIBLE

they did something similar to us, but without any merit, ended up being almost $1300 in fees

we complained for almost 3 months, back and forth on the phone at least 30 times, til eventually we got them to admit they were the ones that fucked up, but by that time we had switched banks

the dude on the phone told us "we will credit it to your account", when I told him we no longer had an account there he said, AND I QUOTE "sorry, there is nothing we can do" and hung up

[Honez]

I just moved to the Denver area and there are no BofA's here so after being with them for many many years, I am now with WAMU. So far so good.

[faxxaff]

It is always advisable to spread your funds over 3 or 4 different banks. This way you will find out that they all offer different services at a different price. BoA has a few advantages when you travel as it allows free withdrawals at ATMs of the Glabal Alliance network, i.e. no fees to withdraw cash in a few EU countries at Deutsche Bank. There are some other things you can do with them that Wachovia can not do, etc. I am pretty happy with 3 US banks, one of them Wachovia, the other BoA and the third a smaller regional bank from the Southern states. If you do a lot of international transactions, try HSBC. They are a true international bank and will save you a lot of money on wire fees, etc. That's all I can say.

[Barefootsies]

Originally Posted by Honez

I just moved to the Denver area and there are no BofA's here so after being with them for many many years, I am now with WAMU. So far so good.

[BV]

All Banks suck.

[Slick]

I use Wells Fargo and a local bank to have the best of both worlds. I like my local bank, but when it comes to sending out wires, it's more expensive, more of a hassel because I have to go in there and sit with someone to send it, and it takes longer for the person to get their money.

With Wells Fargo, I just call, give them a couple of numbers and boom, it's sent, usually within 12-24 hours, money is recieved overseas.

[czarina]

go with a credit union,,,, no bank can compete with what CUs offer

[Tom_PM]

HSBC has been solid.

They probably sent you a letter, in the same envelope they send spam and bullcrap offers.. except this one informed you that these new fees would kick in on such and such a date. Maybe it was on a statement, or maybe an insert along with your statement. They all do that shit these days. But "we dont log who makes changes" is pure shit, someone just couldnt be bothered.

[2012]

thats the exact thing I've heard from two other people now. they've gone to shit ... i left awhile back because I got tired of fees fees fees + fees

[The Adult Broker]

Originally Posted by Jace

bank of america is HORRIBLE

they did something similar to us, but without any merit, ended up being almost $1300 in fees

we complained for almost 3 months, back and forth on the phone at least 30 times, til eventually we got them to admit they were the ones that fucked up, but by that time we had switched banks

the dude on the phone told us "we will credit it to your account", when I told him we no longer had an account there he said, AND I QUOTE "sorry, there is nothing we can do" and hung up

I totally relate! that is when I walked right in and got very loud in front of a lot of people. I have had to do this twice in 2 weeks. first time a credit of $275. yesterday a credit of $29.95 3x. I have a file to watch for the credits to come in. I have no doubt they will try to jack on that too.

I think credit union is sounding good.

[Z]

USAA's the best bank I've ever had, despite the fact that they suck for wires.

Other than that, FUCK banks...I like the "under the mattress" option.