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Posted by: SirAndy Aug 3 2003, 11:48 PM

i know some of you guys are cheap, so, i need your advice

i'm looking for a bank to get another checking account to run my paypal stuff through.
right now, i'm with wells-fargo and i had quite some trouble with them in the past.
like, tons of fees for all kinds of stuff, lost checks, hold's up to seven biz-days on
deposited checks, i even had a hold on a cash$$$ deposit once!

need to switch and i'm looking for alternatives.
any recommendations?

thanks,
Andy

Posted by: J P Stein Aug 3 2003, 11:54 PM

I've been banking at a locally owed bank for about 25 years. Them effin' conglomerates are......(nothin printable.) Credit unions are gud, I hear.

Posted by: Mueller Aug 4 2003, 12:00 AM

Los Altos Bank.....I don't use them, but I've heard really good things about them.

Posted by: Britain Smith Aug 4 2003, 12:27 AM

I use bank of america and I have never been charged a fee for anything. All online stuff is free also...

-Britain

Posted by: redshift Aug 4 2003, 05:10 AM

I hate Bank of America, use them though, I hate everyone else more.


M

Posted by: VegasRacer Aug 4 2003, 06:35 AM

I alway felt the same way about all banks untill I switched to a credit union several years ago. They are still not perfect, but far better than any bank I have ever delt with.

You usually have to be a member of some special group to get an account. But most are open to all relatives of anybody who has an account. If you ask at a few places I am sure you can find one that will take your money.

Posted by: rhodyguy Aug 4 2003, 06:57 AM

andy, if Washington Mutual does business in cal check them out.

kevin

Posted by: kdfoust Aug 4 2003, 07:58 AM

Second that one. If you're not going to a local credit union or the like I've heard nothing but good about Wash Mutual. Our next account will be there.

Currently at BofA, service is variable at best, can't really recommend them.

Good luck,
Kevin

Posted by: seanery Aug 4 2003, 08:16 AM

Washington Mutual was THE BEST bank in SoCal.

I went through Bank of Assholes when and Wells Fargo before I found Washington Mutual.
There was no comparison at all!!!

Posted by: ninefourteener Aug 4 2003, 08:47 AM

Go Bank of America. The fees (if any) are not terrible, plus, they have LOTS of different "plans" to best suit your needs.

Not to mention, there's a BOA ATM machine every 10 miles across the US..... no withdrawal fees.

Every bank is in business to make money off screwing you........ but I think BOA just uses a bit more lube.... and makes it easier.

Can't hurt to go talk with them

Posted by: Jeff Bonanno Aug 4 2003, 10:31 AM

Andy,

http://www.firstrepublic.com/

not many branches but they make up for it with service.

jbb

Posted by: SirAndy Aug 4 2003, 10:46 AM

thanks for all the input guys. i'll go bank-shopping today

Posted by: madd_dogg_914 Aug 4 2003, 10:50 AM

I was with Wells Fargo for a long time and I hated them. I finally switched to Washington Mutual http://www.wamu.com They are AWESOME! No checking account fees, free money orders (for eBay stuff = very handy!) check card, online access, nationwide reliability! LOVE 'EM!

-Hope that helps
-Chris

WELLS FARGO

Posted by: Brad Roberts Aug 4 2003, 10:54 AM

I know this will JINX me.. but We have had NO problems with BoA (4 bank accounts with them for the last 5 years)

ALL of our bills are paid online (we dont carry checkbooks)... the free ATM thing is cool.

I do all of my deposits thru the ATM (free) They charge you if you walk thru the front door and speak to anyone..lol

We also use a credit union in Texas (mine) and another one in Kansas (Lyressa's).

All banks will put a hold on a check if it is over 5k dollars.


B

Posted by: campbellcj Aug 4 2003, 11:08 AM

I used BofA for years and was fairly happy...until their mortgage people screwed up royally on our house deal. So I bailed and went with Wells Fargo (where we have our mortgage & student loans). WF isn't bad service or convenience wise, but their fees are getting pretty crazy - they nickel and dime for online bill pay and stuff like that. Supposedly it helps if you keep at least $10K parked in your checking account at all times.

I have stayed away from Washington Mutual because they are extremely unpopular in our area due to their agressive pro-development stance and sprawling land holdings: they are the principle owner of the controversial "Ahmanson Ranch" project among others. But, I have never heard anything bad about them as a bank or lender.