Checking account

[0beron]

Looking to start a checking account. My online interest checking account under Centura (previously SFNB) is charging $20 a month for banlances less than $2500 which I feel is pretty outrageous especially since I was enjoying free checking under SFNB. Anyways I was wondering if there were any banks you would suggest. I'm looking for

Free checking with a low min. balance (if possible) [edit] poor college student so my balances hover ~$1000. [/edit]
Good free customer service
A good interest rate would be a plus but low cost is more of a concern

I don't mind online banks, at least I had a good experience under SFNB. I did a search and someone suggested pcbanker.com (aka American Bank) which also seems to be getting good reviews at other places. Are there any other suggestions for banks and maybe a website that compares different banks? I found a site bankrate.com but their comparison seemed a little limited.

Thanks!

 

[AaronP]

uh go to any credit union and get one. I've never had to pay a penny for my checking account, other than paying 10 bucks for 500 checks.

 

[boyRacer]

$20? Per month? WTF! Damn... i get charged $7 for balances under $1000 and $3 for savings account balance under $300... although I am just a poor college student...just like you. But people say Washing Mutual here in CA has free checking. Period.

 

[gopunk]

i dunno, i use bank of america and have never paid any fees except for overdraft

 

[QTPie]

I recently opened checking and saving accounts with safewayselectbank.com
They have booths at Safeway and gave me $30 safeway gift certificate when I opened both accounts. There is no monthly fee at all and 4% interests on you saving. Free online banking which you can transfer $$ between your accounts. They also offer pay bill online (free if your balance over $2500 or 35cents/each transactions)
The drawback is that they don't have many ATM but you can use your ATM checkcard as Visa for purchases.

 

[Maetryx]

WellsFargo! I freaking love Wells Fargo. I have my checking with them, and I do online bill payments, and they just refinanced my house at 5-7/8% interest, 15-yr fixed. They're ATMs are FREE and everywhere.

 

[0beron]

Thanks for all the replys.
I will look into all of the suggestions.

 

[pyonir]

<< WellsFargo! I freaking love Wells Fargo. I have my checking with them, and I do online bill payments, and they just refinanced my house at 5-7/8% interest, 15-yr fixed. They're ATMs are FREE and everywhere. >>


i use wells fargo to. but i would also check out "ING". they seem to have their heads on straight.

 

[Ameesh]

i use bofa i get free checking no minum balance

 

[CStroman]

I have a free checking account from USbank. I have no minimum balance, and I'm sure of that. My balance remained at about $1.50 for over a month, and the bank did nothing.

Their free checking accounts earn interest if the balance is over $2000.

 

[Forever42]

My bf and assorted friends use Washington Mutual, and they have free checking. I have Huntington (also free checking) because they're on campus, but SunTrust is buying out Huntington in FL. Hopefully they'll have free checking also!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the ATM on campus for Huntington...I can take out in increments on $1! Yep, that's $1! It's great when my balance is less than $20

 

[Maetryx]

I love Wells Fargo harder than anyone else loves their bank.

 

[Emulex]

www.wamu.com
www.netbank.com

netbank was giving out $50 to sign up. i've been with them for years.

 

[udonoogen]

Washington Mutual

I love this bank. no minimum balance whatsoever on their free checking. i had four bucks in two weeks ago and i didn't even know. but i checked so i didn't take out that extra twenty. you can access your account online and see how much you have. checking is free. atms are free. people at the bank are nice. too cool. =) i only wish they had a real bank a little closer to campus. no beefs tho. great bank.

 

[perry]

I used Bank of America for 5 years when I lived in Atlanta, was always happy with them. My account had a $500 minimum balance, the interest bearing accounts had a $1000 minimum balance.. Then I moved to an area that doesn't have BoA so I switched to a small local bank, because I can't stand paying ATM fees!

 

[QTPie]

On second though, Washington Mutual is a good one.
They have free checking and other stuff.
They don't even charge a buck fifty to other bank ATM!

 

[gopunk]

<< i use bofa i get free checking no minum balance >>



yup me too, i love it. there are bofa atms everywhere, i thnk they have the most of any bank around here.