Which bank should I choose for a new account?

lonefox50 said:Thanks, Lucas, for the reply... honestly, I wasn't looking for some deep, academic lecture anyway :-))
but it feels like JP Morgan Chase has just gotten completely lost in its own massive bureaucracy...
and you know how it goes—the people actually working there can absolutely tank a bank's reputation in a client's eyes... and they do it pretty often
so, I was checking around, and apparently, RF Bank is ranked third in terms of "strength" here in the States? Anyone have thoughts on that?
Cheers

I have no idea how JP Morgan Chase could possibly "lose its way" just by being huge. Sure, maybe in certain niche areas, but that’s a trend you see with all the big players. It's not just an American thing, but that's a whole different conversation. The bottom line is, alongside Bank of America, they are the heavyweights in every sense of the word.

Wells Fargo and Goldman Sachs are constantly swapping places for that number three spot. It depends on which metric you use, though if we're talking total assets, I think Wells Fargo was ahead last time. Regardless, those rankings don't mean squat when it comes to how they actually treat their customers—it doesn't dictate whether you have a good or bad experience.

Do this instead: go check out the specific branch you'd actually use. Look at the vibe, check if there's a constant crowd, see if they stick to their hours, etc. Those practical things matter infinitely more than some top-ten list or a bunch of bitter rants on internet forums. At the end of the day, the products and services are basically identical everywhere...

If you really need a recommendation, I can point you toward specific Wells Fargo or Split branches that actually get things done...

And take a look at this thread: where I tried to kickstart a real discussion on this. I even included a poll, but clearly, I messed up because people just assume it's a survey and don't even bother reading the context.
Either there are too many people sucking up to the banks, or there aren't enough people tearing them apart to make the topic interesting.🙂

I’m looking to open a bank account—just somewhere I can stash my earnings and pull cash whenever I need via a debit card. I'm a total newbie at this sort of thing. xD
So, any suggestions on which bank would be worth dealing with?

Walter Cooper10 said:I’m looking to open a bank account—just somewhere I can stash my earnings and pull cash whenever I need via a debit card. I'm a total newbie at this sort of thing. xD
So, any suggestions on which bank would be worth dealing with?

You could go with somewhere, but make sure you tell them straight away to block any overdrafts or credit lines. Just stick to what you actually earn, period.

Overdrafts are basically like drugs. It feels great the first time, then the second time... before you know it, you're deep in the red and you've developed a taste for it. But how do you buy more drugs when you're out of cash? You hit that stage where you desperately need the fix but have zero dollars left, so you start looking for anything you can sell just to get by.
First, a person takes the drug, then the drug takes the person.
First, a person grabs the card, then the Card grabs the Person!! So, tell me, is that little overdraft feeling really worth it??

James Hayes6 said:You could go with somewhere, but make sure you tell them straight away to block any overdrafts or credit lines. Just stick to what you actually earn, period.

Overdrafts are basically like drugs. It feels great the first time, then the second time... before you know it, you're deep in the red and you've developed a taste for it. But how do you buy more drugs when you're out of cash? You hit that stage where you desperately need the fix but have zero dollars left, so you start looking for anything you can sell just to get by.
First, a person takes the drug, then the drug takes the person.
First, a person grabs the card, then the Card grabs the Person!! So, tell me, is that little overdraft feeling really worth it??

XD
Honestly, I just need to be able to send money and have a card to withdraw it whenever I want. No overdrafts, no nothing. Once I head off to college, I just want to be able to pull the cash my parents transfer to me instantly, without having to wait for some check to clear in the mail.

Walter Cooper10 said:XD
Honestly, I just need to be able to send money and have a card to withdraw it whenever I want. No overdrafts, no nothing. Once I head off to college, I just want to be able to pull the cash my parents transfer to me instantly, without having to wait for some check to clear in the mail.

Sure, that’s super convenient and efficient. But here’s the thing: you walk into the bank right at the start and tell them straight up—no overdraft protection. Tell them you want a zero limit. You spend what you actually have, nothing more. Period.

First off, let's actually learn how you even end up with negative ratings 😉 ... and second, seriously, stop hitting those downvotes every single chance you get ... if you have an issue with a post, there's a specific thread for that, so go vent there instead.

Hi everyone!

So, I currently have a checking account over at PNC Bank, and honestly, it kind of ticked me off to see they charge a fee just to receive my statements via email—and it’s not even a small amount, like, almost a dollar! So, because of that, I decided to start hunting for a better option. Or maybe I'll just dive into online banking.

Anyway, if you feel like it, could you please answer these questions for me? Just in this order, I guess:

1. Which bank do you use:

2. What kind of accounts or services do you actually use:

3. Any issues you've run into? (Try to be objective, though! Like, if you had to wait twenty minutes in line, that's probably not the bank's fault, so there's no point in complaining about that—for example, in xy one day you might wait two hours, then the next day you're out in 2 minutes, it's just random chance, I suppose)
a) Issues with customer service
b) Issues with billing and account statements
c) Issues with fees (you know, those hidden, unannounced, or totally unexpected ones)
d) Issues with the hardware for online banking (malfunctioning, battery life, durability, etc.)

4. How is the online banking quality? (Is it easy to use, available, and user-friendly?)

5. ATMs
a) Do they give you a receipt showing your balance right after you withdraw cash? (For instance, PNC doesn't really do that; you have to redo the whole process just to check your new balance)
b) Has it ever happened where the machine gave you more or less than requested, and the system charged your account incorrectly?
c) How much does it cost to use an ATM from a different bank?

6. Using your debit card—is it PIN-based or signature-based?
a) Are there any restrictions (like being blocked at certain stores or anything)?

And finally, what are the current fees as of May 27th, 2010?


Thanks so much in advance!

P.S. I'm not interested in loans or credit cards, and I don't need overdraft protection either (I don't need extra money beyond what I've actually earned). So, overdrafts allowed is fine, I guess.$0.00.

Jeremy Jackson2 said:Hi everyone!

So, I currently have a checking account over at PNC Bank, and honestly, it kind of ticked me off to see they charge a fee just to receive my statements via email—and it’s not even a small amount, like, almost a dollar! So, because of that, I decided to start hunting for a better option. Or maybe I'll just dive into online banking.

Anyway, if you feel like it, could you please answer these questions for me? Just in this order, I guess:

1. Which bank do you use:

2. What kind of accounts or services do you actually use:

3. Any issues you've run into? (Try to be objective, though! Like, if you had to wait twenty minutes in line, that's probably not the bank's fault, so there's no point in complaining about that—for example, in xy one day you might wait two hours, then the next day you're out in 2 minutes, it's just random chance, I suppose)
a) Issues with customer service
b) Issues with billing and account statements
c) Issues with fees (you know, those hidden, unannounced, or totally unexpected ones)
d) Issues with the hardware for online banking (malfunctioning, battery life, durability, etc.)

4. How is the online banking quality? (Is it easy to use, available, and user-friendly?)

5. ATMs
a) Do they give you a receipt showing your balance right after you withdraw cash? (For instance, PNC doesn't really do that; you have to redo the whole process just to check your new balance)
b) Has it ever happened where the machine gave you more or less than requested, and the system charged your account incorrectly?
c) How much does it cost to use an ATM from a different bank?

6. Using your debit card—is it PIN-based or signature-based?
a) Are there any restrictions (like being blocked at certain stores or anything)?

And finally, what are the current fees as of May 27th, 2010?


Thanks so much in advance!

P.S. I'm not interested in loans or credit cards, and I don't need overdraft protection either (I don't need extra money beyond what I've actually earned). So, overdrafts allowed is fine, I guess.$0.00.

JP Morgan Chase

Jeremy Jackson2 said:Hi everyone!

So, I currently have a checking account over at PNC Bank, and honestly, it kind of ticked me off to see they charge a fee just to receive my statements via email—and it’s not even a small amount, like, almost a dollar! So, because of that, I decided to start hunting for a better option. Or maybe I'll just dive into online banking.

Anyway, if you feel like it, could you please answer these questions for me? Just in this order, I guess:

1. Which bank do you use:

2. What kind of accounts or services do you actually use:

3. Any issues you've run into? (Try to be objective, though! Like, if you had to wait twenty minutes in line, that's probably not the bank's fault, so there's no point in complaining about that—for example, in xy one day you might wait two hours, then the next day you're out in 2 minutes, it's just random chance, I suppose)
a) Issues with customer service
b) Issues with billing and account statements
c) Issues with fees (you know, those hidden, unannounced, or totally unexpected ones)
d) Issues with the hardware for online banking (malfunctioning, battery life, durability, etc.)

4. How is the online banking quality? (Is it easy to use, available, and user-friendly?)

5. ATMs
a) Do they give you a receipt showing your balance right after you withdraw cash? (For instance, PNC doesn't really do that; you have to redo the whole process just to check your new balance)
b) Has it ever happened where the machine gave you more or less than requested, and the system charged your account incorrectly?
c) How much does it cost to use an ATM from a different bank?

6. Using your debit card—is it PIN-based or signature-based?
a) Are there any restrictions (like being blocked at certain stores or anything)?

And finally, what are the current fees as of May 27th, 2010?


Thanks so much in advance!

P.S. I'm not interested in loans or credit cards, and I don't need overdraft protection either (I don't need extra money beyond what I've actually earned). So, overdrafts allowed is fine, I guess.$0.00.

Checking, savings, and I have a business account too, though I don't really use it much.

Jeremy Jackson2 said:Hi everyone!

So, I currently have a checking account over at PNC Bank, and honestly, it kind of ticked me off to see they charge a fee just to receive my statements via email—and it’s not even a small amount, like, almost a dollar! So, because of that, I decided to start hunting for a better option. Or maybe I'll just dive into online banking.

Anyway, if you feel like it, could you please answer these questions for me? Just in this order, I guess:

1. Which bank do you use:

2. What kind of accounts or services do you actually use:

3. Any issues you've run into? (Try to be objective, though! Like, if you had to wait twenty minutes in line, that's probably not the bank's fault, so there's no point in complaining about that—for example, in xy one day you might wait two hours, then the next day you're out in 2 minutes, it's just random chance, I suppose)
a) Issues with customer service
b) Issues with billing and account statements
c) Issues with fees (you know, those hidden, unannounced, or totally unexpected ones)
d) Issues with the hardware for online banking (malfunctioning, battery life, durability, etc.)

4. How is the online banking quality? (Is it easy to use, available, and user-friendly?)

5. ATMs
a) Do they give you a receipt showing your balance right after you withdraw cash? (For instance, PNC doesn't really do that; you have to redo the whole process just to check your new balance)
b) Has it ever happened where the machine gave you more or less than requested, and the system charged your account incorrectly?
c) How much does it cost to use an ATM from a different bank?

6. Using your debit card—is it PIN-based or signature-based?
a) Are there any restrictions (like being blocked at certain stores or anything)?

And finally, what are the current fees as of May 27th, 2010?


Thanks so much in advance!

P.S. I'm not interested in loans or credit cards, and I don't need overdraft protection either (I don't need extra money beyond what I've actually earned). So, overdrafts allowed is fine, I guess.$0.00.

Once, I was told my blocked cards couldn't be unblocked, then later a personal banker told me they could be fixed within an hour. It was a weird situation where a family member blocked all my cards when they shouldn't have, since not everything was actually stolen.
Honestly, it wasn't a huge deal for me. Sorting out cards and accounts at the bank is trivial compared to the hassle of getting new IDs from the DMV in the middle of all that. 😁

Jeremy Jackson2 said:Hi everyone!

So, I currently have a checking account over at PNC Bank, and honestly, it kind of ticked me off to see they charge a fee just to receive my statements via email—and it’s not even a small amount, like, almost a dollar! So, because of that, I decided to start hunting for a better option. Or maybe I'll just dive into online banking.

Anyway, if you feel like it, could you please answer these questions for me? Just in this order, I guess:

1. Which bank do you use:

2. What kind of accounts or services do you actually use:

3. Any issues you've run into? (Try to be objective, though! Like, if you had to wait twenty minutes in line, that's probably not the bank's fault, so there's no point in complaining about that—for example, in xy one day you might wait two hours, then the next day you're out in 2 minutes, it's just random chance, I suppose)
a) Issues with customer service
b) Issues with billing and account statements
c) Issues with fees (you know, those hidden, unannounced, or totally unexpected ones)
d) Issues with the hardware for online banking (malfunctioning, battery life, durability, etc.)

4. How is the online banking quality? (Is it easy to use, available, and user-friendly?)

5. ATMs
a) Do they give you a receipt showing your balance right after you withdraw cash? (For instance, PNC doesn't really do that; you have to redo the whole process just to check your new balance)
b) Has it ever happened where the machine gave you more or less than requested, and the system charged your account incorrectly?
c) How much does it cost to use an ATM from a different bank?

6. Using your debit card—is it PIN-based or signature-based?
a) Are there any restrictions (like being blocked at certain stores or anything)?

And finally, what are the current fees as of May 27th, 2010?


Thanks so much in advance!

P.S. I'm not interested in loans or credit cards, and I don't need overdraft protection either (I don't need extra money beyond what I've actually earned). So, overdrafts allowed is fine, I guess.$0.00.

No, I don't get paper statements at all; I handle everything through online banking.

Jeremy Jackson2 said:Hi everyone!

So, I currently have a checking account over at PNC Bank, and honestly, it kind of ticked me off to see they charge a fee just to receive my statements via email—and it’s not even a small amount, like, almost a dollar! So, because of that, I decided to start hunting for a better option. Or maybe I'll just dive into online banking.

Anyway, if you feel like it, could you please answer these questions for me? Just in this order, I guess:

1. Which bank do you use:

2. What kind of accounts or services do you actually use:

3. Any issues you've run into? (Try to be objective, though! Like, if you had to wait twenty minutes in line, that's probably not the bank's fault, so there's no point in complaining about that—for example, in xy one day you might wait two hours, then the next day you're out in 2 minutes, it's just random chance, I suppose)
a) Issues with customer service
b) Issues with billing and account statements
c) Issues with fees (you know, those hidden, unannounced, or totally unexpected ones)
d) Issues with the hardware for online banking (malfunctioning, battery life, durability, etc.)

4. How is the online banking quality? (Is it easy to use, available, and user-friendly?)

5. ATMs
a) Do they give you a receipt showing your balance right after you withdraw cash? (For instance, PNC doesn't really do that; you have to redo the whole process just to check your new balance)
b) Has it ever happened where the machine gave you more or less than requested, and the system charged your account incorrectly?
c) How much does it cost to use an ATM from a different bank?

6. Using your debit card—is it PIN-based or signature-based?
a) Are there any restrictions (like being blocked at certain stores or anything)?

And finally, what are the current fees as of May 27th, 2010?


Thanks so much in advance!

P.S. I'm not interested in loans or credit cards, and I don't need overdraft protection either (I don't need extra money beyond what I've actually earned). So, overdrafts allowed is fine, I guess.$0.00.

I like keeping things lean. If I see a charge pop up that isn't part of my basic package, I cut it immediately unless it’s absolutely essential. Case in point: I just canceled my SMS alerts for account changes and those monthly statement fees. No point in paying extra for stuff I don't need.
But then you've got them hiking up the fees and messing with how they charge for advance notices.

Jeremy Jackson2 said:Hi everyone!

So, I currently have a checking account over at PNC Bank, and honestly, it kind of ticked me off to see they charge a fee just to receive my statements via email—and it’s not even a small amount, like, almost a dollar! So, because of that, I decided to start hunting for a better option. Or maybe I'll just dive into online banking.

Anyway, if you feel like it, could you please answer these questions for me? Just in this order, I guess:

1. Which bank do you use:

2. What kind of accounts or services do you actually use:

3. Any issues you've run into? (Try to be objective, though! Like, if you had to wait twenty minutes in line, that's probably not the bank's fault, so there's no point in complaining about that—for example, in xy one day you might wait two hours, then the next day you're out in 2 minutes, it's just random chance, I suppose)
a) Issues with customer service
b) Issues with billing and account statements
c) Issues with fees (you know, those hidden, unannounced, or totally unexpected ones)
d) Issues with the hardware for online banking (malfunctioning, battery life, durability, etc.)

4. How is the online banking quality? (Is it easy to use, available, and user-friendly?)

5. ATMs
a) Do they give you a receipt showing your balance right after you withdraw cash? (For instance, PNC doesn't really do that; you have to redo the whole process just to check your new balance)
b) Has it ever happened where the machine gave you more or less than requested, and the system charged your account incorrectly?
c) How much does it cost to use an ATM from a different bank?

6. Using your debit card—is it PIN-based or signature-based?
a) Are there any restrictions (like being blocked at certain stores or anything)?

And finally, what are the current fees as of May 27th, 2010?


Thanks so much in advance!

P.S. I'm not interested in loans or credit cards, and I don't need overdraft protection either (I don't need extra money beyond what I've actually earned). So, overdrafts allowed is fine, I guess.$0.00.

No issues on my end. I've been using the exact same token for years.

Jeremy Jackson2 said:Hi everyone!

So, I currently have a checking account over at PNC Bank, and honestly, it kind of ticked me off to see they charge a fee just to receive my statements via email—and it’s not even a small amount, like, almost a dollar! So, because of that, I decided to start hunting for a better option. Or maybe I'll just dive into online banking.

Anyway, if you feel like it, could you please answer these questions for me? Just in this order, I guess:

1. Which bank do you use:

2. What kind of accounts or services do you actually use:

3. Any issues you've run into? (Try to be objective, though! Like, if you had to wait twenty minutes in line, that's probably not the bank's fault, so there's no point in complaining about that—for example, in xy one day you might wait two hours, then the next day you're out in 2 minutes, it's just random chance, I suppose)
a) Issues with customer service
b) Issues with billing and account statements
c) Issues with fees (you know, those hidden, unannounced, or totally unexpected ones)
d) Issues with the hardware for online banking (malfunctioning, battery life, durability, etc.)

4. How is the online banking quality? (Is it easy to use, available, and user-friendly?)

5. ATMs
a) Do they give you a receipt showing your balance right after you withdraw cash? (For instance, PNC doesn't really do that; you have to redo the whole process just to check your new balance)
b) Has it ever happened where the machine gave you more or less than requested, and the system charged your account incorrectly?
c) How much does it cost to use an ATM from a different bank?

6. Using your debit card—is it PIN-based or signature-based?
a) Are there any restrictions (like being blocked at certain stores or anything)?

And finally, what are the current fees as of May 27th, 2010?


Thanks so much in advance!

P.S. I'm not interested in loans or credit cards, and I don't need overdraft protection either (I don't need extra money beyond what I've actually earned). So, overdrafts allowed is fine, I guess.$0.00.

No complaints here. It does exactly what it's supposed to do.

Jeremy Jackson2 said:Hi everyone!

So, I currently have a checking account over at PNC Bank, and honestly, it kind of ticked me off to see they charge a fee just to receive my statements via email—and it’s not even a small amount, like, almost a dollar! So, because of that, I decided to start hunting for a better option. Or maybe I'll just dive into online banking.

Anyway, if you feel like it, could you please answer these questions for me? Just in this order, I guess:

1. Which bank do you use:

2. What kind of accounts or services do you actually use:

3. Any issues you've run into? (Try to be objective, though! Like, if you had to wait twenty minutes in line, that's probably not the bank's fault, so there's no point in complaining about that—for example, in xy one day you might wait two hours, then the next day you're out in 2 minutes, it's just random chance, I suppose)
a) Issues with customer service
b) Issues with billing and account statements
c) Issues with fees (you know, those hidden, unannounced, or totally unexpected ones)
d) Issues with the hardware for online banking (malfunctioning, battery life, durability, etc.)

4. How is the online banking quality? (Is it easy to use, available, and user-friendly?)

5. ATMs
a) Do they give you a receipt showing your balance right after you withdraw cash? (For instance, PNC doesn't really do that; you have to redo the whole process just to check your new balance)
b) Has it ever happened where the machine gave you more or less than requested, and the system charged your account incorrectly?
c) How much does it cost to use an ATM from a different bank?

6. Using your debit card—is it PIN-based or signature-based?
a) Are there any restrictions (like being blocked at certain stores or anything)?

And finally, what are the current fees as of May 27th, 2010?


Thanks so much in advance!

P.S. I'm not interested in loans or credit cards, and I don't need overdraft protection either (I don't need extra money beyond what I've actually earned). So, overdrafts allowed is fine, I guess.$0.00.

With JP Morgan Chase, you get an instant update on your account balance right there on the confirmation screen.
I haven't really dealt with having too much or too little money in my account before—well, except for when I managed to mess it up myself. 😉)
If JP Morgan Chase ATMs are on every single corner, why am I still bothering to withdraw from any other bank?
Except when I’m traveling abroad and actually need cash. In those cases, I don't even bother checking the transaction fees because I've already mentally accepted the hit—but I'm assuming it's at least $4.

Jeremy Jackson2 said:Hi everyone!

So, I currently have a checking account over at PNC Bank, and honestly, it kind of ticked me off to see they charge a fee just to receive my statements via email—and it’s not even a small amount, like, almost a dollar! So, because of that, I decided to start hunting for a better option. Or maybe I'll just dive into online banking.

Anyway, if you feel like it, could you please answer these questions for me? Just in this order, I guess:

1. Which bank do you use:

2. What kind of accounts or services do you actually use:

3. Any issues you've run into? (Try to be objective, though! Like, if you had to wait twenty minutes in line, that's probably not the bank's fault, so there's no point in complaining about that—for example, in xy one day you might wait two hours, then the next day you're out in 2 minutes, it's just random chance, I suppose)
a) Issues with customer service
b) Issues with billing and account statements
c) Issues with fees (you know, those hidden, unannounced, or totally unexpected ones)
d) Issues with the hardware for online banking (malfunctioning, battery life, durability, etc.)

4. How is the online banking quality? (Is it easy to use, available, and user-friendly?)

5. ATMs
a) Do they give you a receipt showing your balance right after you withdraw cash? (For instance, PNC doesn't really do that; you have to redo the whole process just to check your new balance)
b) Has it ever happened where the machine gave you more or less than requested, and the system charged your account incorrectly?
c) How much does it cost to use an ATM from a different bank?

6. Using your debit card—is it PIN-based or signature-based?
a) Are there any restrictions (like being blocked at certain stores or anything)?

And finally, what are the current fees as of May 27th, 2010?


Thanks so much in advance!

P.S. I'm not interested in loans or credit cards, and I don't need overdraft protection either (I don't need extra money beyond what I've actually earned). So, overdrafts allowed is fine, I guess.$0.00.

Your debit card uses a PIN, and there’s a daily spending limit in place.
That doesn't really matter if you're just buying on credit at stores that offer financing. There’s a separate limit for that kind of stuff that the bank approves separately.

I’m pretty happy with JP Morgan Chase, even if there's that one thread where everyone's venting about how much they hate them.
For me, the bottom line was getting my mortgage sorted without any headaches. Beyond that, I just need reliable online banking because I almost never step foot in a branch, and enough ATMs nearby to make life easy.

1. Bank of America
2. Checking, savings, brokerage, money market fund, basic savings
3b. They send the PIN via standard USPS mail. They sent mine out, but it never showed up. I actually had to pay a fee just to get a "new" one issued.
3d. The card reader keeps turning itself on; I have a feeling the battery is about to give up. I’ve started jamming a little scrap of plastic between the battery and the contacts when I'm not using it to keep it off. 🙈
4. 👍
5.6. I rarely use it, so 🤷 (to be honest, aside from cards, I don't see why anyone needs much cash. If you need to check your balance, you can just hop onto online banking. Personally, I try to keep my checking account sitting right at zero; I let the money sit in a money market fund until the credit card bill comes due. 😁)

Jeremy Jackson2 said:Hi everyone!

So, I currently have a checking account over at PNC Bank, and honestly, it kind of ticked me off to see they charge a fee just to receive my statements via email—and it’s not even a small amount, like, almost a dollar! So, because of that, I decided to start hunting for a better option. Or maybe I'll just dive into online banking.

Anyway, if you feel like it, could you please answer these questions for me? Just in this order, I guess:

1. Which bank do you use:

2. What kind of accounts or services do you actually use:

3. Any issues you've run into? (Try to be objective, though! Like, if you had to wait twenty minutes in line, that's probably not the bank's fault, so there's no point in complaining about that—for example, in xy one day you might wait two hours, then the next day you're out in 2 minutes, it's just random chance, I suppose)
a) Issues with customer service
b) Issues with billing and account statements
c) Issues with fees (you know, those hidden, unannounced, or totally unexpected ones)
d) Issues with the hardware for online banking (malfunctioning, battery life, durability, etc.)

4. How is the online banking quality? (Is it easy to use, available, and user-friendly?)

5. ATMs
a) Do they give you a receipt showing your balance right after you withdraw cash? (For instance, PNC doesn't really do that; you have to redo the whole process just to check your new balance)
b) Has it ever happened where the machine gave you more or less than requested, and the system charged your account incorrectly?
c) How much does it cost to use an ATM from a different bank?

6. Using your debit card—is it PIN-based or signature-based?
a) Are there any restrictions (like being blocked at certain stores or anything)?

And finally, what are the current fees as of May 27th, 2010?


Thanks so much in advance!

P.S. I'm not interested in loans or credit cards, and I don't need overdraft protection either (I don't need extra money beyond what I've actually earned). So, overdrafts allowed is fine, I guess.$0.00.

I mean, props to you for putting this spreadsheet together, but honestly? It’s lacking depth. There are several fields here that absolutely need more context if we're going to make sense of them...

Richard Wright said:I mean, props to you for putting this spreadsheet together, but honestly? It’s lacking depth. There are several fields here that absolutely need more context if we're going to make sense of them...

Sure thing! But, honestly, I only put that whole spreadsheet together for my own eyes, you know? Once it was all finished up, though, I figured maybe someone else might actually get something out of it—provided they’re the type who knows how to read between the lines. Like, for instance, I didn't explicitly mention that when a bank like JP Morgan Chase lists different amounts per transaction, it basically means they're hitting you with a separate fee for EVERY single account entry. And when it says... $0.67 So, I was thinking about how these bank setups work... you know? Like, you can actually have a bunch of different accounts all tied under one single profile, and—get this—you only end up paying one service fee, no matter how much money is sitting in there! It's kind of wild, I guess. Just one flat charge for everything. Pretty neat, right?

So, I just used a hard "C" there... because, honestly? I can never tell the difference between a "C" and a "Ć" when I'm typing. It’s such a toss-up! I guess I just winged it, maybe? Haha! 😍

I was scrolling through the website for that big insurance company over at Liberty Mutual, and honestly? It’s such a mess. Like, I really tried to find the breakdown for their basic service fees, but it is just... not clear at all. It's super vague. I guess they want to keep you guessing, maybe? It’s kind of frustrating when you're just trying to get a straight answer!
I mean, I guess it’s just me, but isn't it kind of wild that JP Morgan Chase is the only one out there actually charging a fee just to open an account? It feels a bit much, maybe? Like, I don't know, you'd think they'd want to make it easy to get in the door! Just my two cents, I suppose! 😕

So, all this "no fee" stuff... I mean, it's fine, I guess, but there's always a catch, right? It's like they tell you it's free as long as you don't rock the boat! Like, you can't lose that first debit card they handed you, you have to nail the PIN on the very first try, your security token or card reader can't suddenly act up, and heaven forbid the batteries start leaking acid inside the device... you know? It’s all conditional, I think. Everything has a little asterisk attached to it!

I mean, honestly, those prices are really just for a super smooth, hassle-free way of doing business, you know? Like, if everything goes perfectly on every single level—staying totally positive, avoiding any loans, just sticking to a basic debit card without adding on any fancy innovation packages or extra bells and whistles. I guess you don't really need to go that deep when you're picking one. If the bank is already the most affordable option right from the jump with nothing added, then maybe... I don't know, moving deeper into their systems might make it even cheaper, but it definitely shouldn't make it more expensive!

All in all, I’m just... I'm a huge believer in staying away from debt. Like, really stay away. It's just not worth it, I guess. My dad ended up taking out a loan, and then he passed away, and everything just got so complicated. And then the court—it was quite a mess, honestly—but they were actually pretty fair to me. I was a single mom living in a small rental apartment at the time, and the judge ended up awarding me the inheritance directly. It was a relief, maybe? Just one of those things that stays with you. $20000 So, there was this whole huge debt thing... and I mean, it was a mess! And then, get this—I actually tried to file a lawsuit. I was hoping, maybe, just maybe, that if I could get a DNA test done, I’d find out I was actually adopted or something, like I’d been lost in some forest somewhere and found by a nice family! I guess I was just dreaming, huh? But when I talked to my lawyer about why I was even suing, he just looked at me like I was crazy. He was basically like, "Why on earth would you sue? If you had actually inherited millions, you wouldn't be bothering with all this legal stuff!" But yeah... turns out, I did inherit. $20000 It’s such a long haul, you know? And honestly, I just want to be happy! But then, out of nowhere, they just slammed the phone down on me. Like, wow. Just total silence after that.😁 I honestly just love my lawyer! Like, seriously, they are the best.😁😁😍😁

I basically sold my soul—and all my expertise—for pennies on the dollar just to pay this thing off. Honestly, I took a much worse contract than I ever should have, just because I needed the cash. I even moved my kid to a cheaper daycare center... and man, if I'm being real, I don't think I'll ever forgive myself for that one. It's been tough. So yeah, I am never, ever touching another loan again, even if I were dead. And honestly? I don't think any sane person should.

Funny table 🙂 I’m going to have to call Wells Fargo and demand they start emailing me my statements instead of mailing them, otherwise they'll just keep charging me for the paper $1.75..thanks 🙂 BTW where exactly is that mentioned? I couldn't find it in the Wells Fargo fee schedule... if a bank teller tries to play dumb, I want to be able to throw it right in their face 😁

Paul Jackson61 said:Funny table 🙂 I’m going to have to call Wells Fargo and demand they start emailing me my statements instead of mailing them, otherwise they'll just keep charging me for the paper $1.75..thanks 🙂 BTW where exactly is that mentioned? I couldn't find it in the Wells Fargo fee schedule... if a bank teller tries to play dumb, I want to be able to throw it right in their face 😁

Just another little "reading between the lines" moment here.... when I was putting that chart together, I already knew 100% that whatever bank I picked, I'd be using their online banking, so having those fees waived was tied to that. Otherwise, JPMorgan Chase doesn't really offer that via email, just through Text Message (though I did mention before that it’s sooo bad—having only two options like Text Message or paper is just totally impractical and not eco-friendly at all.

So, I guess if you only have a checking account with email notifications, the info for JPMorgan Chase should basically state that they don't provide that specific service. Sorry! 👎

I was hoping for better :P .. I used to have their SMS alerts, and honestly, they were a total disaster back then. They’d send me a text about my balance, but there was zero info on who took what or when... so I had to switch over to JPMorgan Chase 😁

Jeremy Jackson2 said:Sure thing! But, honestly, I only put that whole spreadsheet together for my own eyes, you know? Once it was all finished up, though, I figured maybe someone else might actually get something out of it—provided they’re the type who knows how to read between the lines. Like, for instance, I didn't explicitly mention that when a bank like JP Morgan Chase lists different amounts per transaction, it basically means they're hitting you with a separate fee for EVERY single account entry. And when it says... $0.67 So, I was thinking about how these bank setups work... you know? Like, you can actually have a bunch of different accounts all tied under one single profile, and—get this—you only end up paying one service fee, no matter how much money is sitting in there! It's kind of wild, I guess. Just one flat charge for everything. Pretty neat, right?

So, I just used a hard "C" there... because, honestly? I can never tell the difference between a "C" and a "Ć" when I'm typing. It’s such a toss-up! I guess I just winged it, maybe? Haha! 😍

I was scrolling through the website for that big insurance company over at Liberty Mutual, and honestly? It’s such a mess. Like, I really tried to find the breakdown for their basic service fees, but it is just... not clear at all. It's super vague. I guess they want to keep you guessing, maybe? It’s kind of frustrating when you're just trying to get a straight answer!
I mean, I guess it’s just me, but isn't it kind of wild that JP Morgan Chase is the only one out there actually charging a fee just to open an account? It feels a bit much, maybe? Like, I don't know, you'd think they'd want to make it easy to get in the door! Just my two cents, I suppose! 😕

So, all this "no fee" stuff... I mean, it's fine, I guess, but there's always a catch, right? It's like they tell you it's free as long as you don't rock the boat! Like, you can't lose that first debit card they handed you, you have to nail the PIN on the very first try, your security token or card reader can't suddenly act up, and heaven forbid the batteries start leaking acid inside the device... you know? It’s all conditional, I think. Everything has a little asterisk attached to it!

I mean, honestly, those prices are really just for a super smooth, hassle-free way of doing business, you know? Like, if everything goes perfectly on every single level—staying totally positive, avoiding any loans, just sticking to a basic debit card without adding on any fancy innovation packages or extra bells and whistles. I guess you don't really need to go that deep when you're picking one. If the bank is already the most affordable option right from the jump with nothing added, then maybe... I don't know, moving deeper into their systems might make it even cheaper, but it definitely shouldn't make it more expensive!

All in all, I’m just... I'm a huge believer in staying away from debt. Like, really stay away. It's just not worth it, I guess. My dad ended up taking out a loan, and then he passed away, and everything just got so complicated. And then the court—it was quite a mess, honestly—but they were actually pretty fair to me. I was a single mom living in a small rental apartment at the time, and the judge ended up awarding me the inheritance directly. It was a relief, maybe? Just one of those things that stays with you. $20000 So, there was this whole huge debt thing... and I mean, it was a mess! And then, get this—I actually tried to file a lawsuit. I was hoping, maybe, just maybe, that if I could get a DNA test done, I’d find out I was actually adopted or something, like I’d been lost in some forest somewhere and found by a nice family! I guess I was just dreaming, huh? But when I talked to my lawyer about why I was even suing, he just looked at me like I was crazy. He was basically like, "Why on earth would you sue? If you had actually inherited millions, you wouldn't be bothering with all this legal stuff!" But yeah... turns out, I did inherit. $20000 It’s such a long haul, you know? And honestly, I just want to be happy! But then, out of nowhere, they just slammed the phone down on me. Like, wow. Just total silence after that.😁 I honestly just love my lawyer! Like, seriously, they are the best.😁😁😍😁

I basically sold my soul—and all my expertise—for pennies on the dollar just to pay this thing off. Honestly, I took a much worse contract than I ever should have, just because I needed the cash. I even moved my kid to a cheaper daycare center... and man, if I'm being real, I don't think I'll ever forgive myself for that one. It's been tough. So yeah, I am never, ever touching another loan again, even if I were dead. And honestly? I don't think any sane person should.

Look, there isn't even a wrong way to use those letters in this table...

Jeremy Jackson2 said:Sure thing! But, honestly, I only put that whole spreadsheet together for my own eyes, you know? Once it was all finished up, though, I figured maybe someone else might actually get something out of it—provided they’re the type who knows how to read between the lines. Like, for instance, I didn't explicitly mention that when a bank like JP Morgan Chase lists different amounts per transaction, it basically means they're hitting you with a separate fee for EVERY single account entry. And when it says... $0.67 So, I was thinking about how these bank setups work... you know? Like, you can actually have a bunch of different accounts all tied under one single profile, and—get this—you only end up paying one service fee, no matter how much money is sitting in there! It's kind of wild, I guess. Just one flat charge for everything. Pretty neat, right?

So, I just used a hard "C" there... because, honestly? I can never tell the difference between a "C" and a "Ć" when I'm typing. It’s such a toss-up! I guess I just winged it, maybe? Haha! 😍

I was scrolling through the website for that big insurance company over at Liberty Mutual, and honestly? It’s such a mess. Like, I really tried to find the breakdown for their basic service fees, but it is just... not clear at all. It's super vague. I guess they want to keep you guessing, maybe? It’s kind of frustrating when you're just trying to get a straight answer!
I mean, I guess it’s just me, but isn't it kind of wild that JP Morgan Chase is the only one out there actually charging a fee just to open an account? It feels a bit much, maybe? Like, I don't know, you'd think they'd want to make it easy to get in the door! Just my two cents, I suppose! 😕

So, all this "no fee" stuff... I mean, it's fine, I guess, but there's always a catch, right? It's like they tell you it's free as long as you don't rock the boat! Like, you can't lose that first debit card they handed you, you have to nail the PIN on the very first try, your security token or card reader can't suddenly act up, and heaven forbid the batteries start leaking acid inside the device... you know? It’s all conditional, I think. Everything has a little asterisk attached to it!

I mean, honestly, those prices are really just for a super smooth, hassle-free way of doing business, you know? Like, if everything goes perfectly on every single level—staying totally positive, avoiding any loans, just sticking to a basic debit card without adding on any fancy innovation packages or extra bells and whistles. I guess you don't really need to go that deep when you're picking one. If the bank is already the most affordable option right from the jump with nothing added, then maybe... I don't know, moving deeper into their systems might make it even cheaper, but it definitely shouldn't make it more expensive!

All in all, I’m just... I'm a huge believer in staying away from debt. Like, really stay away. It's just not worth it, I guess. My dad ended up taking out a loan, and then he passed away, and everything just got so complicated. And then the court—it was quite a mess, honestly—but they were actually pretty fair to me. I was a single mom living in a small rental apartment at the time, and the judge ended up awarding me the inheritance directly. It was a relief, maybe? Just one of those things that stays with you. $20000 So, there was this whole huge debt thing... and I mean, it was a mess! And then, get this—I actually tried to file a lawsuit. I was hoping, maybe, just maybe, that if I could get a DNA test done, I’d find out I was actually adopted or something, like I’d been lost in some forest somewhere and found by a nice family! I guess I was just dreaming, huh? But when I talked to my lawyer about why I was even suing, he just looked at me like I was crazy. He was basically like, "Why on earth would you sue? If you had actually inherited millions, you wouldn't be bothering with all this legal stuff!" But yeah... turns out, I did inherit. $20000 It’s such a long haul, you know? And honestly, I just want to be happy! But then, out of nowhere, they just slammed the phone down on me. Like, wow. Just total silence after that.😁 I honestly just love my lawyer! Like, seriously, they are the best.😁😁😍😁

I basically sold my soul—and all my expertise—for pennies on the dollar just to pay this thing off. Honestly, I took a much worse contract than I ever should have, just because I needed the cash. I even moved my kid to a cheaper daycare center... and man, if I'm being real, I don't think I'll ever forgive myself for that one. It's been tough. So yeah, I am never, ever touching another loan again, even if I were dead. And honestly? I don't think any sane person should.

Debt is a necessary evil. How "necessary" it becomes depends on the individual, and how much "evil" is involved usually boils down to whether they picked a decent bank or some shady broker. Often, people have no choice but to accept the "evil" because their credit score leaves them with zero other options...
It’s frustrating. Even today, when the benefits of credit insurance or life insurance policies are crystal clear, most people dismiss them as a waste of money. They view it as an unnecessary expense they'd rather skip if they could get away with it...
In our business, we've dealt with several cases where heirs came looking for information on their rights under an insurance policy. In those moments, they were incredibly grateful that the deceased had secured a loan with proper coverage...

I’m trying to figure out which bank would actually be the best fit for me. Specifically, I want to know which one offers the most reasonable fee structure if I’m looking at a setup where:

1. I need a standard checking account along with both savings and foreign currency accounts
2. I plan on doing absolutely everything through online banking

I guess it might be JPMorgan Chase. It used to be Goldman Sachs, but they've started rolling out those new service packages lately.

Alex Harris43 said:I’m trying to figure out which bank would actually be the best fit for me. Specifically, I want to know which one offers the most reasonable fee structure if I’m looking at a setup where:

1. I need a standard checking account along with both savings and foreign currency accounts
2. I plan on doing absolutely everything through online banking

I was thinking the exact same thing, it really seems like JPMorgan Chase has the best rates for that... Between the setup fee and the monthly online banking charge, $2.75 it looks like they include a certain number of transactions in that price too, though I can't be totally sure if that was just a special promo or if it's always been that way
Personally, I keep my checking and savings over at JPMorgan Chase, and then I have my foreign currency account at Miami... Altogether, it comes out to about $1.75 in monthly fees across all my accounts, which honestly I'm pretty happy with 👍

There is a clear "too big to fail" doctrine applied to major banks. In the States, that would be JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America; if there were ever a systemic shock, they would be the ones receiving maximum protection. So, in the event of a massive liquidity crisis, I suspect nothing else would even be on the table besides those two.

So, I’ve got one of those student accounts over at JPMorgan Chase, but honestly, I am so done with them... service is just not it. I’m looking to jump ship and find a new bank, but I wanted to see if anyone knows if there are actually any decent options out there besides General Electric or Hypo Real Estate that have solid offers for students?