How often do you actually go into a bank, and why?

**Ima saver** · 12-25-2007, 05:56 AM

I go to the bank several times a week. I usually do not go inside but I use the drive in window with a live teller. I cash my husband's paycheck every monday and I often have a deposit to make (like tomorrow) for our business. i would say I go to the bank 8-10 times a month. My main bank has no branches cause we live in a small town. I have never used an ATM machine not do I bank on line except to check my account balances.
I do take my change inside about once a month.

**marvholly** · 12-25-2007, 05:57 AM

I am seeing a BUNCH of new buildings going up here in metro Chicago suburbs too expecially for 2 or 3 banks.

I go into the bank/drive up when:
I need to physically make a deposit (rebates, FSA repayments, cash); read too many horror stories about ATMs eating deposits. My routine deposits (pay check & pension) are direct deposit.
I need to move/change/cash out an existing local CD.
Pay my real estate taxes (2/yr); to do online or by cc my tax body charges a fee so I go to the bank where they take my check w/ no fee and there are 2 branches on my regular route between home/work so no extra gas/hassle for me. Then they get to pay for the staff & handling.

That is about all I can think of. I "used" to get travelers checks (no fee) but in 2005 learned the fee to cash is WAAAY out of line & use ATMs when I travel. That way I also do not have too much cash if pickpocketed.

**yellow heel** · 12-25-2007, 08:02 AM

I only go the bank to make a larger deposit/tranfer. I don't know why but this makes me feel better rather then doing it electronically.

**PrincessPerky** · 12-25-2007, 11:37 AM

I go to cash physical checks. but that is less than once a month, paycheck is direct deposit.

**momof1in150** · 12-25-2007, 11:37 AM

My bank is in Texas and I am in Rhode Island. I deposit checks with my scanner. Just scan them and they are credited immediately to my account.

**atomicrc11** · 12-25-2007, 12:05 PM

I go into the bank every other week to get quarters. There aren't any change machines in my building so I always go in the bank branch to do this so I can do laundry. Also, I go to the bank when I have issues with my accounts or to make certain requests. For example, my bank card stopped working and I'm not home during the day, so my branch was willing to accept the UPS delivery of my new bank card that was sent 2nd day air. I was able to pick it up when I got home. Also, when you get to know the people in the branch and get certain amounts in deposits you get some perks. Usually I can get a better deal on a CD if I ask the personal banker or at least match the amount from the online offer. Some times it is just nicer dealing with a person face to face rather than doing it over the phone.

**Bookie** · 12-25-2007, 04:50 PM

I go into a bank once a week. Every week.

My employer pays by check. Direct deposit is not an option. The check is drawn on a bank with a branch across the street from the office. This is a part-time position, and the check covers my out-of-pocket cash expenses for the week. I like the fact that I can walk to the bank instead of drive, I enjoy the interaction with the bank staff, and I'm saved a trip to my own bank for my weekly "allowance."

**Broken Arrow** · 12-25-2007, 06:21 PM

Originally posted by disneysteve View Post

I've read a few articles recently discussing the steady growth in the number of physical bank branches. Here in NJ and the Philly area, they just can't stop building new bank branches. They are all over the place. There are intersections with 2 or 3 banks on opposite corners. Commerce has numerous branches less than a mile apart.

This is just my pet conspiracy theory, but sadly, I don't think many people are financially aware. As such, they just want to have a place to cash their paychecks, maybe park some money in their checking to pay bills or withdraw later using ATMs or drive-thrus,.

It was so bad that the first credit union I was with shifted their "business model" to having a monthly fee ($1) on their checking accounts! When I asked a rep. why they did that, she said that it's because most of the members leave the vast majority of their money in the checking.

It was also the reason why I left that credit union, because I didn't want to deal with a monthly fee when there are perfectly good free checkings out there.

That said, I don't mean to say that there's anything wrong with going to branches. They offer services that I really can't get with, say, an online bank for example. It's also the reason why my checking is with a large brick & mortar right now, because no matter where I am, I know I am literally not far from free banking services or my money. As an added bonus, the bank I am with is also open on Saturdays, whereas my old credit union was only Monday through Friday. Besides, for free checking, why not?

**Caoineag** · 12-25-2007, 07:13 PM

Hmmm..live teller tends to be for depositing bonuses and gift monies. Course, most of the time, I just go to my grocery store which has a branch inside that keeps late hours so I can go after work. I would guess I only have to talk to a live teller once every couple of months.

**snafu** · 12-25-2007, 09:06 PM

I rarely go to a 'bricks and mortar' bank however this month I had to see a financial planner to get an error corrected as e-mail and phone calls yielded no results. I had been there earlier in the month to obtain foreign currency as their rates are better than currency traders. Prior to that I had last been in a bank in June.

**disneysteve** · 12-26-2007, 04:41 AM

Originally posted by Broken Arrow View Post

I don't mean to say that there's anything wrong with going to branches. They offer services that I really can't get with, say, an online bank for example. It's also the reason why my checking is with a large brick & mortar

Just to be clear, I wasn't asking why anyone banks with a bricks and mortar bank. I do that myself as our checking account is with BoA (after numerous mergers and acquisitions). We also got our HEL from BoA.

I was asking what people physically go to a teller for, as opposed to doing online or at an ATM.

The other times I've gone to a teller in the past couple of years was when my wife and I were in charge of cookie sales for DD's girl scout troop. We went in to make deposits of a couple thousand in cash. Can't do that online or at an ATM.

**simpleyme** · 12-26-2007, 07:03 AM

I am an odd one but I actually go once a month to make my house payment and bring the kids so we can get free cookies ;-)

I also have to make business deposits regularly

**Ima saver** · 12-26-2007, 07:25 AM

I enjoy talking to the tellers. I also asked the bank president if he could get me a better rate than 5% on a c.d. He gave me 5 1/2% .

**cptacek** · 12-26-2007, 07:35 AM

Oh, yes, and my bank has great coffee!

I go to one close to work whenever I get a PineCone check. I deposit it and get some coffee. I also have had to go in to get my password changed and dispute an overdraft (that was their fault).

I go to the one I have my business loan with at the end of every year to pay interest on the loans for the year. That way I can write it off for that year instead of waiting until the next year. I talk to the banker then and keep him apprised of how the farm is doing, just to keep him in the loop.

I think they are able to build more and more banks because it costs so much less to handle electronic transactions compared to actual checks/cash. So, the banks have a lot more money to play with (because you know they aren't paying that in interest), and building more branches probably would draw in more customers.

How often do you actually go into a bank, and why?