Blog eats Blog by Rachel

bank accounts

Wed Oct 5 2005 15:41 MDT #

I need a new bank account - checking account, to be specific. And what I want seems simple to me:

  • Free BillPay
  • Free ATM usage (either always free ATMs or worldwide ATMs or generous policy)
  • Free checking
  • Good customer support

I am progressively hating Wells Fargo more and more. They charged 5 dollars everytime I took out money while in Turkey. Wells Fargo does not even have banks outside of America, yet my bank statement says "Non-Wells Fargo ATM Fee". They mean "International ATM Fee", so why don't they come out and say it? And 5 Bucks??? Come on. I remember the "good old days" when ATMs were free if your bank wasn't in that state or country. Of course, I also remember when my cards never worked in the ATMs as well. I asked Wells Fargo to remove the two charges but they didn't. They never do. They always say "It is in your Terms and Disclosures". Not, "We will remove these charges for you since you did not know, but we will have to charge it in the future." That's what my other banks in the past have done. This bank is just a money-grubbing machine.

I also hate Wells Fargo because they made me change bank account numbers to get this bigger and better account. They promised me free BillPay. I went and changed the millions of accounts that auto-deposit or auto-debit into my account. I paid about 75 bucks when some check cleared in my account after I had closed it. And then, a month later, I started getting billed for BillPay again. What did they say - "we always charge for BillPay, unless you have a combined balance of so and so." Jerks.

Anyway, I'm looking for a bank that doesn't charge me to pay bills online and doesn't charge useless fees. I'm considering Citibank EZ Checking, HSBC Checking something, Netbank. Bank of America seems to be ok too. I don't mind an Internet-based bank - most of those seem to offer prepaid deposit mailers as well - one lets you drop off your deposits at any UPS Store.

Now for a few words of praise - I love my online savings account through Emigrant Direct. It started off with a 3% APR and is now up to 4% APR through the end of the year at least. This savings account pays way better than most CDs out there, and I can easily transfer money in and out of the account.

Add a comment