Posts by Thomas Cruz4

It really comes down to what you actually need from them. If you’re running a small business and need to drop by a branch almost every day, just find a Chase location near your shop. But if you’re just an employee who needs a solid checking account, I’d definitely point you toward Bank of America. Like I mentioned, Wells Fargo isn't terrible, but their service can be hit or miss depending on the day. A buddy of mine says working with Bank of America is actually a breeze because they're so polite. On the flip side, another friend took out a loan at Wells Fargo and had a rough time; he said the tellers at their downtown Chicago branch didn't have a clue how to answer basic questions.
One more thing about Wells Fargo. The only reason I even deal with them is because I picked up an American Express card through them a few months back. I went in to pay a bill the other day and ended up stuck waiting forever for a shift change. Their speed is a disaster.

So, my top three would look like this:
1. Chase
2. Bank of America
I haven't heard much about the smaller regional banks lately—maybe some local credit unions are good, but I wouldn't know.
3. Wells Fargo

Anyway, it's your call...
Good luck.

It really depends on what kind of account you're looking for and what you need it for.
Either way, I’d suggest staying away from Chase. Why?
1. You probably heard about that scandal they had regarding cutting down overdraft limits for regular people.
2. Transfers can take forever—I sent money abroad once and it took two full weeks to land.
2. The tellers can be pretty rude.
3. The branches are constantly packed.
4. Their loan terms for clients aren't great.
There's plenty more where that came from, but I don't feel like typing it all out. Basically, just bypass Chase and avoid Wells Fargo.

Bank of America and the Federal Reserve aren't bad options either, especially the Fed if you look at their flexible accounts, though you'll need to figure out which specific type fits your needs.
From what I've heard around town, Bank of America asks for a mountain of paperwork just for a kid to open an account, and apparently, some of their staff can be quite arrogant.

I recently opened a checking and savings account over at Goldman Sachs, and I have to say, I'm more than satisfied. They've done a great job; the service is top-tier.
I was actually torn between Goldman Sachs, the Fed, and Bank of America myself. I don't trust Bank of America because they're owned by Italians, and I know exactly how they do business. The Fed's branches were a bit out of my way, so I went with Goldman Sachs. Honestly, I haven't regretted it.
Kudos to them. 👍

You know how American kids are taught in school: we have everything, we’re a wealthy nation, our coastlines are the best in the world, and the Midwest can feed half the planet, etc., etc.
Meanwhile, Swiss kids get told: look at our country, it's nothing but mountains and hills. We have nothing here, so we have to be hardworking and frugal just to get by.

I’m with you on that. It’s a stretch to claim having a roof over your head acts as a safety net when you're buying depreciating assets like cars or debt. That said, I think when > mentioned a mortgage, she was talking about a home loan. Buying real estate is an investment, not just an expense. It's not like a car, which is almost guaranteed to lose half its value in three years; property doesn't usually pull a disappearing act like that.

Taking on any kind of debt is a gamble in this country where nothing is ever truly certain, so every move needs to be weighed carefully.

The real issue here is the mindset we see popping up in these threads all the time. People would much rather finance a flashy new truck or kit out their apartment with high-end sound systems and massive TVs than put that money into a second property that actually builds equity.

Here are all the terms and conditions.
The whole country is buzzing about this Swiss franc mortgage being the best deal out there right now.
If anything still seems fuzzy, just shout.

I think I got lucky—with a little help from my parents—to knock out two major milestones: finishing college and landing a solid career. I eventually decided to bet on myself and start my own business, and now, honestly, the sky's the limit. My goal is to scale up and diversify into different sectors like hospitality, maritime, and real estate, all following the old "make money work for you" mantra. I have no interest in being a slave to the grind; I’m looking for that sweet spot where business and pleasure actually balance out. In my experience, maintaining that balance is much harder than just making the cash itself.