Thinking about opening a new bank account..

[EricHill78]

I read reviews and crap online and I trust your guys' opinion a lot more believe it or not. In the mail we got a mailer that said 150 for opening a new account. Hey that's pure win right there. It's Chase though. I read a handful of reviews about Chase and they are definetely mixed. Anyone here bank with Chase? Should I go with Wachovia instead? Before you say credit union I was with one here a while back that actually charged a quarter every time you used your debit card. I told them to kiss my ass ha.

[lxskllr]

I'd try a different credit union if you don't like the old one. Banks are beholden to shareholders, and they come before customers(you). This is where capitalism breaks down. theoretically, happy customers means more money in the long term. There is no long term in publicly traded companies. They'll dick you over to get a better quarter or 2, and then figure out where to go from there.

I'd put my money under the mattress before I used a publicly traded bank.

[GoVegan]

I am going to agree with credit union as well. All banks and credit unions have fees of some sort but they are usually much lower with a credit union. The only exception I have seen to this is that some banks will waive certain fees if you have a high balance. You might want to consider opening an account with Chase to get the money and then close it and join a credit union.

[Premium Parrots]

screw Chase bank. They closed a credit card account because I hadn't used it in a year. wtf is with that? The day after I got their notice and got an invite to open a Chase account. My credit is in the 840's on all three raters. I keep getting invites from chase. Today I sent another invite back to them in their self addressed envelope with another note scribbled on the form to go to hell. I get an invite about once a week from them. I guess they like to pay postage. I stuff all the papers plus the original envelope in their reply envelope they send me and throw it in the mailbox. Sometimes I add a bit of xtra weight and make sure its more than 1/4 inch thick. It pads their postal bill.

find a credit card with the lowest rate online. you won't get any points for crap but who needs their shit anyway.

[EricHill78]

Thanks guys.. after what you posted PP I think we'll go another route. The credit unions are looking a bit better now.

[texastorm]

I bank with Chase but have friends with horror stories about the credit card services. I too got a 150 free dollars, it was in my account in a week! Now I dont do much banking to be honest, but my account is free, my debit card is free (at chase) and I have had 0 issues banking with them, not to mention the 150 bucks was used to purchase snus. Their website is easy to navigate to find my balance. I love the fact the ATM's take stacks of cash as a deposit and shows you a picture of it all, and I can take a pic of a check and deposit it by phone. I have no issues with Chase, they have always been very helpful at my local branch. These are my opinions and your mileage may vary.

Having said all that I watched the horror a girlfriend went through with Chase credit card services. They were unhelpful, and downright rude to her on the phone. They didn't care if she took her ten year account somewhere else. So I would stay the hell away from Chase credit cards.

[sandman1911]

I'd shop around for a credit union. I used a bank one time in my life and will never go back to one, they have no problem accepting your money but the second you need something from them they will make every excuse in the world. The credit union I am currently with is great, no B.S. fees as far as credit/debit and checking goes, all free. The interest rates at credit unions are usually lower as well.
I still kick myself for not sticking with a credit union even though it was only for a short time.

[EricHill78]

I think I found a decent credit union. No bank fees, only 5 dollars required in the savings. It was designed for cops and city workers but on their info page it states that anyone who lives or worships in my county qualify. I thought to be a member of a credit union you had to meet requirements more than simply live in a certain county?

[thegameisover2k2]

There is always the option of opening two bank accounts...one that you want to keep, and the chase one. Do the minimun requirements to get the 150 bucks and cancel it asap after you get it...prolly have to make so many purchases or keep a minimun amount in it or chase will charge you a fee....depends on how much you want a free 150 bucks!

[thegameisover2k2]

A lot of credit unions have loosened their requirements, because they received bailout money too.

[EricHill78]

Ha that's awesome.. when I was a teen I had an account with a credit union because my dad worked for southern bell. They were a lot stricter back in the day.

[snusjus]

Two words: CREDIT UNION. I've had way too many problems with for-profit banks.

[precious007]

Keep your savings under the mattress

[Snusdog]

I'd put my money under the mattress before I used a publicly traded bank.

That would put my net holdings at

2 playboy magazines and $15

I’m not sure personal checking accounts are where you would notice the infamy.

Banks don't generate their income from checking accounts (checking accounts account for a small % of their income generating potential). Banks make their money on loans

Thus, where you would see the difference is in the rates and condition on loans to individuals verses loans to corporations.

Bottom line: I'd go where the deal is best.

If there is a run on the banks the Credit Unions will falter as well (just as the fluctuation of the value in the dollar affects both).

Customer service will vary..............but how much CS is involved with a checking account.........I'd look more at the fees and charges.

The banking system as a whole has and will screw the public……………but it will not be via checking accounts ………………..rather it will be through their (Government endorsed, Wall Street backed) manipulation of markets

[truthwolf1]

Credit Unions are great for savings and loans verses bigger banks. I use USBANK for my primary checking account because of the reserve line of credit. So, if you run out of money they just throw a couple of hundred in your account. It use to be FREE but since the economic collapse they charge $10. Pretty BS in my opinion but I dont believe any credit union is going to give you a reserve line which in my case comes in handy quite a bit.