Time for a new bank (checking/savings)

[eurotekms]

Well, it looks like a good time to transition away from Bank of America.

Looking for low/no fees and very good online management.
- I don't ever write checks
- use a lot of debit card / auto-pay


Any suggestions?

[ChrisMD]

If you never write checks, want good online management, and don't care about branches, something like ING Direct's Electric Orange would probably be good for you.

Otherwise, I'd say a regional bank or credit union. You'd have branches in your area (and usually a larger network of ATMs) but the online management might not be quite as full featured. Smaller institutions often don't spend the same amount of money that the big banks do to offer those features to their customers, but they pass that cost savings on to you in the form of lower fees, higher interest paid to you, or lower interest charged to you.

[GeoffD]

Most credit unions have caught up with the 21st century and have a good web portal. I rarely use a brick & mortar bank but it's good to have one nearby for those times when I do need one. I would never use an internet bank for my household account. I only use them to chase interest rates for my emergency fund. I'm with Ally Bank (was GMAC Bank) at the moment.

[jnm2.0t]

I see lots of people wanting to leave BofA but they've always been the best and easiest to deal with, both online and in bank, and have ATMs everywhere. The only annoying thing is that the local CA branch has a hard time dealing with an account opened back in MA. My credit union on the other hand has the most decrepit useless website.

[dunhamjr]

i really like CU's.

i use BECU.

but i do also have accounts at Chase and they have never really done me wrong. most recently they are on a customer service kick and reaching out to see if they can help in any way.

because of that, i am about to refi my rental property with the rate going from 6.375 to 4.6

[dunhamjr]

also.

I have had a BofA MC for years and years. I have never had a single issue with them that was big enough to make me even think of leaving.

Maybe its just their personal banking services that are crap, and their CC services are fine.

[jnm2.0t]

Maybe its just their personal banking services that are crap, and their CC services are fine.

I find their personal accounts to be incredibly easy to use. My wife and I have a few personal accounts and some joint ones, passing money between them as needed or seeing information on them could not be easier.

[ValveCoverGasket]

i really like CU's.

this

i use chase for CC stuff though.

in person banking at local CUs always seems more laid back than the retail big chain type banks... i have an account at chase and always hate going in there.

[GTiTOM]

I have Charles Schwab online investor checking. I can't recommend them highly enough.

- interest bearing checking account with no minimums (0.15% right now, but better than getting charged for it!)
- all ATMs are free (they refund other banks fees at the end of every month)
- customer service is amazing (you call and someone in America answers)
- checks can be deposited instantly via a mobile app
- online account management is top notch
- they have very few branches, but in the 3 or 4 years i've had it, i've never needed one. I have a local bank as well (joint with my wife), but I'd ditch if the choice was totally mine