Big Banks Debt Cards

[snafu]

Lead newscast story showed huge numbers opening Credit Union accounts and presumably will close their Big Bank accounts as they feel the fees the large banks are charging have become excessive. Driving this change is the bank's decision to impose a $ 5. per month fee for their convenient debt cards.

Why do you stay with your particular bank? Is the service particularly good? Are your bank charges reasonable? Do you visit the [brick and mortar] branch regularly?

I've been paying regular bills on-line as it is easy and efficient. Do you still pay bills by cheques and mail or in person?

[photo]

Because of the backlash, big banks are re-thinking and rescinding such fees.

I pay everything I possibly can online but occasionally have to write a paper check.

[cooliemae]

I really love ING and have been with them for almost 7 years now. Their online interface is easy to use but with good security. I love the fact that I can easily transfer funds between accounts and open as many as I want. About 5 years ago, I switched my checking to ING as well and haven't looked back. If I need a check sent, ING will send it first class for free and I can transfer money to anyone with a checking/saving account.

As far as fees go, there aren't many. I don't use my checking account much other than to pay my credit card bills each month. I do appreciate the idea of paying an interest rate on overdrafts versus paying a $25 fee for a $2 overdraft!

[disneysteve]

I'm with one of those evil big banks - Bank of America. I wasn't originally with them, of course. I started with a small bank that got bought by a slightly bigger bank and then bought again and then again, finally ending up with BOA. Why do I stay with them? Why not? We've never had any issues with them. All of the complaints about fees and charges always amuse me as much of the time, those fees are avoidable. Don't bounce checks. Don't overdraw your account. Don't let your balance drop below the minimum required on your account. Don't use ATMs not connected with your bank. Stuff like that.

The one recent time a fee showed up on my statement, it was for getting the images of the cancelled checks. I called and said I didn't want to pay the fee so they took it off and stopped sending me the check images. Fine with me. I can still see them online if I need to.

I do understand the upset over the proposed monthly fee for debit card usage, though I don't use a debit card so it wouldn't have affected me. And that would have been avoidable, too, by using a credit card with no annual fee instead.

So I'm staying with BOA. Their online banking is good. They have a mobile app for the iPhone/iPad. They have plenty of ATMs around (though I hate the new ones - they are outrageously slow). I really have no reason to change.

[GREENBACK]

Don't bounce checks. Don't overdraw your account. Don't let your balance drop below the minimum required on your account. Don't use ATMs not connected with your bank. Stuff like that.

Of course this is why they are now getting creative with new fees. The new rules don't allow them to make as much from this stuff. To the OP's question; I have been with PNC bank (formerly National City and Banc Of Ohio) since the '70's and have never had any issues with them. I do most of my banking online nowadays but I don't pay fees for anything. I only use my debit card at their ATM machines but I wouldn't pay a fee even if I used it as a debit card.

I go to my the bank personally about once a month or so to cash various paper checks or to deposit actual cash. I just hope I don't have the bad fortune to be there when someone decides to hold the place up

[disneysteve]

I go to my the bank personally about once a month or so

I physically go inside of an actual branch maybe 1-2 times per year. Everything else is done either at an ATM (deposits) or online.

[GREENBACK]

I physically go inside of an actual branch maybe 1-2 times per year. Everything else is done either at an ATM (deposits) or online.

I go inside at their main branch instead of depositing at the terminal because I've always liked to see the people and the place I'm doing buisness with occasionally. I know it's not the corporate headquarters or the CEO (or even the branch manager) I'm seeing but I am interested in courtesy and professionalism from the tellers and anyone else I might deal with. Just a personal thing.

[orenwach]

I almost never go inside an actual bank.

I have a Charles Schwab Checking Account - I never pay any ATM fees at any ATM in the country.

They also give you free checks.

I mail my deposits to them and get money at any ATM I choose.