I have over the past year pretty much been raped several thousands of dollars in overdraft fees by Bank of America. Most of them were not even my fault they were of bank error even though they wont admit it and wont refund any of my money. They also on several occasions jacked up my %rate on my credit cards from 7% all the way to 38% w/o notice or explanation

Bsically im looking for a new bank to open a checking account with.

Im looking for a bank that has the following:
-Excellent customer service and somewhat genuinely cares about their valued customer
-Exceptional online banking with up to date account information
-A bank that doesnt take forever to process transactions
-A bank that doesnt make up bogus fees to rape their customers.


Anyone have any suggestions?
or anyone else have any trouble with BOA?

I haven't tried them yet, but I hear good things about ING.

I don't know that I can tell you a good one but depending on where you live - it's been my experience that smaller, local banks typically have better customer service and interest once you have established a rapport.

Just an FYI - I think, in a nationwide survey last year, Bank of America ranked either #1 or #2 in the worst rated for customer service in the nation. It was either them or Sprint that was number one - the other was number 2.

Regardless of who you move to - it has to be better than who you are with.

After spending the last 10 years in finance, mortgage, and semi banking, I can tell you the credit unions are by FAR THE BEST!!! Big banks truly don't care..Simply put, they are huge, and what are you to them?? Wamu was about the best from what I heard, but they are struggling in a big way right now. Stay away from Corporate America and the crappy banks, stick with member owned credit unions...

And yeah, BofA has had horrible service for decades. The fees will break you, and I understand Wells Fargo to be pretty close.

I switched from BofA (big overpriced fack'd account- hehe) to Alliance Federal Credit Union and havent looked back, I love them very friendly, never busy, very helpful bank- and I own part of it! I have to admit that I haven't taken full advantage of them (% rates are usually better ect) but will do so when my credit gets better!

I've been working at a Credit Union for the past 12 years - and couldn't agree more with the last few suggestions of a CU. A bank is a publicly-held for-profit corporatioin, so essentially every move has to help the end result of churning profits for their shareholders. Credit Unions, being not-for-profit financial institutions reinvest profits back into the membership in the form of better rates, fees, services.

If you want, you can PM me and I might be able to help locate (somewhat superficially) a CU in your area that you should qualify for. While many CUs in the past had a narrow band of who could join ... many CUs now have gone with community charters that allow anyone who lives/works in the area to join.

If it gives you any indication, my CU has our main checking account earning 6.01% on balances up to $40k.

The services offered, online access, bill payer, debit cards, etc. etc. etc. are pretty much the same as your big bank.

Damn... Anything in my neck of the woods you would recommend Paul?

how about , don't use your creditcard that much

I haven't tried them yet, but I hear good things about ING.

ING has to be good...it's Dutch!

I'd settle for an online bank.

ING

;)

Wow thanks guys, i really appreciate it. Ive got some researching to do but this really helps.

Here are a few resources I located on the fly:

http://www.findacreditunion.com/

Many CUs participate in Shared Branching - where you can access your CU account at the branch of another CU. Although each CU is it's own financial institution, there is a good level of cooperation when it comes to branches and ATM access.

http://www.cuservicecenter.com/

Agreed with all the credit union fans up above. Can't get any better interest rates. The credit union I have gives you a quarter percent off your interest for submitting your application online (which I think almost everyone would rather do) and an additional quarter percent off for doing an auto deduction for your monthlys; which is great because then I don't forget to pay it.

Hope you find something that works better for you!

Out of curiosity, because I don't think I'm familiar with the term; can someone explain me what a Credit Union is / how it works?

Edwin, I'm shocked!?! :) Credit Unions originated in Europe, I believe. Basically, as I mentioned above, a Credit Union is a financial institution that is owned by the collective membership and operates in a not-for-profit spirit to return excess profits to the membership in the form of better rates, fees, service and products.

Historically, Credit Unions would be formed by a group of people that shared a common bond - employment, community, religion. A CU would have a 'field of membership' that would identify the parameters of who is eligible to join. In order to remain competitive, it has become pretty common in the States for a CU to adopt a community charter, allowing a wider range of individuals to join just based on living or working in the state/county/zip codes.

Some CU's are still pretty basic and simple, but many have developed into very strong and advantageous financial institutions that offer the full range of products and services you come to expect from a large commercial bank.

Blah, blah, blah ... sorry to bore. But basically: Credit Unions are good, banks are bad! Simply based on their reason for existence, you can pretty much bet on always doing better with a CU than you ever would with a bank.

CU's still suffer with just scrapping for 8% of all customers mostly because the vast majority of CUs are relatively small and don't have a branch/ATM on every corner like your huge commercial banks.

Edwin, I'm shocked!?! :) Credit Unions originated in Europe, I believe.

Thanks for explaining. And I'm sorry: history was one of the classes I skipped most! ;-)

I think we pretty much have one - Rabobank - here in Holland, that originated as a farmers savings and loan bank. These days however, it's a very commercial bank.

My only advice, stay far away from CHASE, they suck too. I may be making the CU switch soon too...

We should start our own Credit Union...thoughts?

Rick, that would never work. A place designated for saving money should never be placed that close to O-R members and a place dealing with Oakley. Who would actually keep money in their account? We'd be tapped out in within a year.

A program of 'oakley purchase' specific loans could sure be interesting, though! A 0% $500 line of credit could sure come in handy. At my CU we have 0% computer and clothing loans ... so to have a 0% Oakley loan isn't so far-fetched.

Maybe if we parter up with Oakley as a SEG, we could get some official connection to the O and score us some corporate pricing. woot!