Best bank in America?

Brian Moore12 said:Both Republicans and Democrats are doing the same thing—kissing the banks' asses instead of working for the people. This whole CHF at 6.39 thing is just theater for the naive. The GOP isn't any better.
I've been paying my bills through Fidelity Investments for ages. I won't even touch online banking because I refuse to feed those greedy bankers. I just hope I live long enough to see the day when I can actually open a checking account at Fidelity.

Yeah, but only if (when) the IRS decides to start acting like a bank.

Brian Moore12 said:And you're just a corporate shill.

Nothing would change? Give me a break. These banking vultures are charging me nearly $33 a year just for a checking account. And let's be real—those fees are pretty much identical across every major bank out there.

And if there weren't fees for managing an account, do you honestly think the IRS or someone else would just hand you that money as a gift? :klap:

Charles Ramos7 said:And if there weren't fees for managing an account, do you honestly think the IRS or someone else would just hand you that money as a gift? :klap:

Of course there’s a cost, but we aren't talking about life-altering amounts here. Technology has moved on. I just checked my own account—my bank charges me $2.25 a month, and that doesn't even include the fee if I wanted them to mail me a statement via USPS.
In America, there are easily over three hundred million checking accounts out there—which translates to an annual revenue of roughly $30 billion. To you, that sounds like pocket change that wouldn't move the needle.
😵

placidmaker6 said:Yeah, but only if (when) the IRS decides to start acting like a bank.

Fat chance.
Since you brought it up, there was actually talk not that long ago about merging the IRS with Wells Fargo. There were even talks involving HP Inc. and State Farm later on, all aimed at building a massive American banking powerhouse. Then, suddenly, the whole idea just vanished. Someone clearly got shut down... hard. 🍿

I’m not entirely sure why you’re operating under the assumption that managing accounts through the IRS would be significantly cheaper. Take a major domestic player like Wells Fargo, for instance—which I believe you even brought up yourself—and you'll see they aren't exactly offering much more competitive rates than any other big bank out there. At the end of the day, what is the IRS besides just another government-run institution?

Brian Moore12 said:Of course there’s a cost, but we aren't talking about life-altering amounts here. Technology has moved on. I just checked my own account—my bank charges me $2.25 a month, and that doesn't even include the fee if I wanted them to mail me a statement via USPS.
In America, there are easily over three hundred million checking accounts out there—which translates to an annual revenue of roughly $30 billion. To you, that sounds like pocket change that wouldn't move the needle.
😵

Costs aren't just about IT; you've got everything from office rent to mandatory reserves. That $40 million figure is gross revenue, not profit, so it’s not as huge as it sounds. Plus, like I said before, why would anyone bother trying to undercut them?

The issue isn't about finding someone who can do it cheaper; it's about ensuring an American company—specifically one under domestic ownership—is the one doing the work. These banking giants rake in hundreds of millions in fees, and a massive chunk of those profits just gets shipped overseas.
At the end of the day, I want people to have options. People should be able to choose whether they want their checking account handled by a big bank or not.

Brian Moore12 said:The issue isn't about finding someone who can do it cheaper; it's about ensuring an American company—specifically one under domestic ownership—is the one doing the work. These banking giants rake in hundreds of millions in fees, and a massive chunk of those profits just gets shipped overseas.
At the end of the day, I want people to have options. People should be able to choose whether they want their checking account handled by a big bank or not.

So what does that actually do for me? Who’s to say a Kraft Heinz executive isn't also moving profits abroad just because they're American? Even if they aren't, I'm still not seeing any direct benefit to my own pocket.

Brian Moore12 said:The issue isn't about finding someone who can do it cheaper; it's about ensuring an American company—specifically one under domestic ownership—is the one doing the work. These banking giants rake in hundreds of millions in fees, and a massive chunk of those profits just gets shipped overseas.
At the end of the day, I want people to have options. People should be able to choose whether they want their checking account handled by a big bank or not.

That's already covered by law.

Brian Moore12 said:The issue isn't about finding someone who can do it cheaper; it's about ensuring an American company—specifically one under domestic ownership—is the one doing the work. These banking giants rake in hundreds of millions in fees, and a massive chunk of those profits just gets shipped overseas.
At the end of the day, I want people to have options. People should be able to choose whether they want their checking account handled by a big bank or not.

Well, there’s an American-owned company right in front of you doing exactly that—Wells Fargo. What part of that is confusing?

I believe several smaller regional banks are also mostly under domestic ownership. There was even that one outfit out of San Diego that went under and left its depositors high and dry.😍

And I still can't wrap my head around your theory regarding the IRS. So, your logic is that if the IRS performed banking functions, it would somehow be better simply because they wouldn't officially call themselves a "bank"? That is truly masterful reasoning.

casuallynx8 said:Well, there’s an American-owned company right in front of you doing exactly that—Wells Fargo. What part of that is confusing?

I believe several smaller regional banks are also mostly under domestic ownership. There was even that one outfit out of San Diego that went under and left its depositors high and dry.😍

And I still can't wrap my head around your theory regarding the IRS. So, your logic is that if the IRS performed banking functions, it would somehow be better simply because they wouldn't officially call themselves a "bank"? That is truly masterful reasoning.

I honestly don't think he even knows what he wants or what’s actually bothering him. He’s probably just trolling at this point... then again, all of us out here defending the banks are just as likely to be evil bankers ourselves, right?

Charles Ramos7 said:So what does that actually do for me? Who’s to say a Kraft Heinz executive isn't also moving profits abroad just because they're American? Even if they aren't, I'm still not seeing any direct benefit to my own pocket.

That's already covered by law.

Oh, really? I had no idea... Did you know they actually change laws sometimes?
And it's not like banks have to write them all themselves.

Harold Evans4 said:I honestly don't think he even knows what he wants or what’s actually bothering him. He’s probably just trolling at this point... then again, all of us out here defending the banks are just as likely to be evil bankers ourselves, right?

Maybe you're so worked up over the Bohemian guy that your brain has completely stopped functioning.
I laid out exactly what I wanted in post #47. What part of that was confusing? Need me to draw you a map?

Quincey:

...all of us defending the banks...

😂😂😂

You're defending the very people working hand-in-hand with the Democrats and Republicans to systematically tear this country apart.

I'm sure your mother is proud. 😁

Brian Moore12 said:Oh, really? I had no idea... Did you know they actually change laws sometimes?
And it's not like banks have to write them all themselves.

Of course they can. Though honestly, there’s no reason to let just anyone handle banking business.

Charles Ramos7 said:Of course they can. Though honestly, there’s no reason to let just anyone handle banking business.

Spot on. I'm with you there. We need actual regulations in place. Right now, we've got a situation where any random person can run a currency exchange—usually out of some sketchy little kiosk or hole-in-the-wall. Then everyone acts surprised when they get ripped off.

Brian Moore12 said:Maybe you're so worked up over the Bohemian guy that your brain has completely stopped functioning.
I laid out exactly what I wanted in post #47. What part of that was confusing? Need me to draw you a map?

Quincey:

...all of us defending the banks...

😂😂😂

You're defending the very people working hand-in-hand with the Democrats and Republicans to systematically tear this country apart.

I'm sure your mother is proud. 😁

I mean, I’ve been thinking about this lately—it feels like the whole American economy is just being run into the ground by people trying to live a lifestyle they straight-up can't afford. It’s like everyone is out there grabbing massive loans for things that are way out of their reach, and then, well, they can't pay them back. And honestly? It makes me wonder if it’s even worth it when you realize you’re handing over a dollar or two every single month just to keep a basic checking account open at some big bank like Chase or Wells Fargo. It just seems... I don't know, a bit broken.

Alexander Thompson said:I mean, I’ve been thinking about this lately—it feels like the whole American economy is just being run into the ground by people trying to live a lifestyle they straight-up can't afford. It’s like everyone is out there grabbing massive loans for things that are way out of their reach, and then, well, they can't pay them back. And honestly? It makes me wonder if it’s even worth it when you realize you’re handing over a dollar or two every single month just to keep a basic checking account open at some big bank like Chase or Wells Fargo. It just seems... I don't know, a bit broken.

I'm done trying to explain myself. This guy has his own little "alternative" version of reality. Like I said, the second you disagree with him, the insults start flying and he starts projecting—just look at how he quoted me. It's a pretty neat little self-defense mechanism when you've totally run out of actual arguments.

And here I am, actually looking to buy a car. Maybe I should just ask the government which specific way they plan on forgiving my loans and debts in two or three years? Might as well jump on that bandwagon now. Apparently, being a responsible citizen who pays their bills on time doesn't mean squat in this country anymore.

Alexander Thompson said:I mean, I’ve been thinking about this lately—it feels like the whole American economy is just being run into the ground by people trying to live a lifestyle they straight-up can't afford. It’s like everyone is out there grabbing massive loans for things that are way out of their reach, and then, well, they can't pay them back. And honestly? It makes me wonder if it’s even worth it when you realize you’re handing over a dollar or two every single month just to keep a basic checking account open at some big bank like Chase or Wells Fargo. It just seems... I don't know, a bit broken.

Why would banks hand out loans to people who clearly can't pay them back? Isn't that just plain irresponsible?
This whole crisis started because banks were throwing money at anyone with a pulse, regardless of whether they qualified for a single cent. They figured someone else would pick up the tab—likely the federal budget (which is where we're headed).
And they haven't stopped.
Yet here you are, acting like their biggest defenders.

Yeah, sure, whatever you say... It’s always the banks' fault, right? Or those accountants pumping out shady income statements, or the local clerks who didn't bother explaining what foreign currency even means. Maybe it's the developers overcharging for condos, or those car salesmen who conveniently forgot to mention that after seven years of payments, you won't have enough left over for a tank of gas. It's gotta be the communists, the conservatives, the radicals... everyone except the people who went out there with a "live for today" attitude and signed up for massive loans they clearly couldn't afford in the first place...

Alexander Thompson said:Yeah, sure, whatever you say... It’s always the banks' fault, right? Or those accountants pumping out shady income statements, or the local clerks who didn't bother explaining what foreign currency even means. Maybe it's the developers overcharging for condos, or those car salesmen who conveniently forgot to mention that after seven years of payments, you won't have enough left over for a tank of gas. It's gotta be the communists, the conservatives, the radicals... everyone except the people who went out there with a "live for today" attitude and signed up for massive loans they clearly couldn't afford in the first place...

Banks are the ones most to blame, because... They didn't have the nerve. Handing out loans "right here, right now."
People are like sheep. Most don't bother thinking about the consequences; they just grab whatever is put in front of them. And the banks? If they’d actually acted responsibly, they would have been way more careful about who they handed loans to. Instead, they just shoved credit cards and overdrafts down everyone's throats without any restraint. Their whole policy was basically: "Just take it, we don't care what happens tomorrow." Well, look at the mess we're in now.

This thread is for discussing the best banks when it comes to tech, features, and online banking... let's leave the mortgage and loan talk out of this one. 😠