Finding a new bank....

[jaksilee]

Hey Everyone,
Quick question! I will be moving from WI to IL (chicago area) and need to find a new bank, how do I go about doing this? I checked into staying with my current bank but they don't have any branches in that area. I have been using this bank since I first got a checking account in highschool so I have no clue what to do!

TIA

[gavinmccallister]

If you want to find a good checking account go for one that does not have any minimum balance requirements and overdraft protection so I bank at First Citizens in Asheville, NC and this past month got a $11.00 maintaince fee, I talked with this customer at work and they bank with BB&T and she has free checking with no minimum balance and overdraft so I am really considering that. Also I opened up a savings account with UFB Direct and will get $25 after 120 days and the interest rate is 3.40%

So check out what your banks have to offer in your area.

Hope that helps.

-Gavin

[BAGAGT1]

In my opinion.....since you are moving to the Chicago area, stay away from First American Bank, they will nickel and dime you to death with fees.

If you are moving to the burbs, check out Chase/Bank One. I recently moved my checking account from First American Bank to Chase/Bank One. My primary motivation for selecting Bank One was simply that they have the most Branches/ATM locations in the Chicago Suburbs, plus they have an ATM in every Walgreens, and most Dominick's stores. Also, the Bank One website is one of the best I have ever worked with (and I have worked with many), especially if you use Quicken or Money to track your accounts (as I do).

If you are going to live in the City, then Bank One may not be the best choice unless you live downtown, otherwise not too many branches. If you prefer banking with a smaller bank and are in the NorthWest burbs, check out American Chartered Bank it is locally owned and operated, my wife used to work there and we had a checking and savings account with them for a while and we had no complaints.

[baselle]

Systematic approach, because I see you're involved with the military:
The first stop is www.bankrate.com. You search for banks in your new city and run head to head comparisons of what's available.
Next, if you know what Chicago suburb you're moving to (even better, an address), you might want to do a simple phone book search (what baby bell covers the chicago area?) and count how many branches and ATMs you pull up.
Also, think about credit unions too!

[PrincessPerky]

I would avoid the one with lots of ATMs, more ATMs mean more cash in my pocket, and therefor flowing OUT of my pocket .

But do look for free checking, preferably with no minimum.

[jaksilee]

Thanks Everybody!!! I checked out Bank One and I think that is the one I'm going to go with. I talked to my DBf, he has First American and says they screw up his account at least once in 3 months, so not going to go there!

[Bluezy]

I agree...Bankrate.com would be my first website of choice for research. I'd even forego a bank with ample ATM's for one with better rates and free services.

Good luck with your move!