Which bank should I choose for a new account?

Goldman Sachs. Honestly, I prefer Citibank, so I’m planning on closing all my accounts at Goldman.

Which bank should I pick for a checking account? Just looking as an individual here.
I’ve been with Citibank for a while now, and honestly, I’m reaching my breaking point with them. Just the other day, I needed to look up some specific info on a transaction, so I logged into their online banking, and when it 😕 wouldn't show me anything except the date, the amount, and some vague payment description. Up until recently, you could actually download a detailed PDF of the transaction details, print it out, and use it as actual proof of payment. Now? Nothing. And yet, they still have the nerve to charge me $2.75 monthly fees for online banking access...
So, looking at all these "account maintenance" fees, the costs for online banking, and those annoying transaction commissions... which bank is actually the best? Basically, who is going to fleece me the least?

Steven Kim84 said:Which bank should I pick for a checking account? Just looking as an individual here.
I’ve been with Citibank for a while now, and honestly, I’m reaching my breaking point with them. Just the other day, I needed to look up some specific info on a transaction, so I logged into their online banking, and when it 😕 wouldn't show me anything except the date, the amount, and some vague payment description. Up until recently, you could actually download a detailed PDF of the transaction details, print it out, and use it as actual proof of payment. Now? Nothing. And yet, they still have the nerve to charge me $2.75 monthly fees for online banking access...
So, looking at all these "account maintenance" fees, the costs for online banking, and those annoying transaction commissions... which bank is actually the best? Basically, who is going to fleece me the least?

I am not entirely certain what the other banks are charging, but maintaining an account at Citibank costs about $1, which isn't particularly egregious if you consider, for instance, Wells Fargo where maintenance is $4.75. Every bill paid through the web costs $2, while doing it at a teller window runs you $6. It is unlikely you will find lower rates elsewhere. If you don't want physical statements mailed to your house, there is an option to have them sent via email for free. Therefore, it really isn't quite as catastrophic as it seems 😳

JPMorgan Chase is hiking their monthly maintenance fees starting October 1st—moving from $1.75 up to $3.00.

Does anyone have the scoop on what other banks are doing? I'm mainly looking into Citibank.

Hey

Got a question. I’m looking to open a bank account, but I’m a total newbie and don't really get how this works. Just a heads-up: I’m still a student and don't have a steady paycheck yet.

I need four specific things:

1. Online payments (PayPal, World of Warcraft, various online stores)
2. The ability to send money to other people via transfer
3. Withdrawing cash from ATMs
4. Using a card to pay at shops

So, those are my four requirements. Is there a way to get all of them? What kind of account am I actually looking for? Give me some guidance. 🙂👍

Does nobody have an answer? 😢

Lisa Watson6 said:Does nobody have an answer? 😢

Just hop on Google and look up whatever bank you’ve got in your neck of the woods. They lay everything out right there—all the different stuff you can actually do with an account. There are tons of options out there...🙂just pick between Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, or whatever else is nearby...😉

There are already a few threads like this on this subforum.

If you want to shop online, you’ll need a Visa Electron card, but just a heads-up: not every bank's version works for web purchases. The ones that actually work are Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank. Your best bet is picking one of those four. Depending on which one you go with, the card usually comes bundled with a checking, savings, or maybe even a specialized account. Check their individual websites for the specifics.

For example, with Chase, you can get a Visa Electron tied to a standard checking account that works perfectly online. There aren't any fees to open the account or keep it running. You use the card to buy stuff online, pull cash from an ATM, or pay at the grocery store—as long as you've got the funds, obviously.

darkmaker94 said:There are already a few threads like this on this subforum.

If you want to shop online, you’ll need a Visa Electron card, but just a heads-up: not every bank's version works for web purchases. The ones that actually work are Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank. Your best bet is picking one of those four. Depending on which one you go with, the card usually comes bundled with a checking, savings, or maybe even a specialized account. Check their individual websites for the specifics.

For example, with Chase, you can get a Visa Electron tied to a standard checking account that works perfectly online. There aren't any fees to open the account or keep it running. You use the card to buy stuff online, pull cash from an ATM, or pay at the grocery store—as long as you've got the funds, obviously.

Great, now I know where to start looking for more info.👍

Lisa Watson6 - says I need regular income to open a checking account, but I don't have any right now. What am I supposed to do? 😕

I’ve had a checking account open for a few years now, but since I’m a student, I don't have any income coming in. 😉

So, I did some digging and talked to a few people, and everyone keeps telling me to just open a checking account because business checking is basically dead news these days.

So what’s actually the difference between a checking and a business account, and can I do everything you mentioned above with just a standard checking account? thanks

Which bank should I use to open an account?

The one closest to my house?
Or maybe one with decent parking?

Lisa Watson6 said:So, I did some digging and talked to a few people, and everyone keeps telling me to just open a checking account because business checking is basically dead news these days.

So what’s actually the difference between a checking and a business account, and can I do everything you mentioned above with just a standard checking account? thanks

With a basic checking account, you usually get a debit card that doesn't work for online shopping.

Not sure if any of those four banks offer a Visa card with their checking accounts.

darkmaker94 said:With a basic checking account, you usually get a debit card that doesn't work for online shopping.

Not sure if any of those four banks offer a Visa card with their checking accounts.

The local bank is issuing Visa cards along with current accounts now.

Alright then, heading straight to JPMorgan Chase today to open an account

Anyone got any other advice? Or maybe some complaints about JPMorgan Chase?

Joseph Reed11 said:The local bank is issuing Visa cards along with current accounts now.

Can you actually shop online with it? 😕 Doesn't that require a foreign currency account? 🤷

If you can help it, just don't open a bank account at all. Honestly, I hope the whole system goes belly up—I’m tired of watching them bleed people dry. It’s basically just legal mafia at this point, total garbage.☕

Paul Jackson61 said:Can you actually shop online with it? 😕 Doesn't that require a foreign currency account? 🤷

Nope, it just handles the conversion to dollars automatically, just like when you buy stuff from overseas or hit up an ATM while traveling.

Just left my bank and ran into a massive headache. I’m staying at a different spot than what’s on my official ID right now, so I told the teller to just mail my PIN to my current address instead. Now she’s claiming she can’t send anything unless I provide proof of residency first.

I can't get my hands on any documentation right now for a dozen different reasons, and honestly, I don't get why they're being such sticklers. I asked around, and everyone else says they just gave their updated address and moved on without a single issue.

Is she just messing with me, or is there actually a way around this bureaucracy?