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Where do you bank and why? — Brooklynian

Where do you bank and why?

brookfetish
brookfetish
edited November -1 in Prospect Heights
Trying to pick a bank, and I'd love suggestions...
«1

Comments

  • ana.log
    ana.log
    Citibank - their online banking is the best one out there, IMO.
  • 11238
    11238
    The two closest banks in PH are Chase and M&T (on Flatbush). I would pick Chase over the two because they have many more locations than M&T and have a decent online banking site.

    I actually bank at HSBC (because its across the street from my job in NYC) but its a pain to do anything in Brooklyn because the closest branch is on 9th street between 5th and 6th Avenues.

    Let us know what you choose....
  • arielbl
    arielbl
    I bank at wachovia because its directly below my office in midtown and its also available in my hometown, which is nice for when I visit and was indispensible when I once needed an emergency loan from my mom (she could deposit it at her branch) . Online banking is quick easy and free. Plus I have an overdraft line of credit for which the overdraft fee is only 5.00/an event as opposed to the 30.00/overdraft event that I used to pay at my old bank.

    also, they do NOT charge when you use other banks' ATMs, and give you a 5.00/month allowance towards other banks' ATM fees, which rocks. (there are no wachovia banks or ATMs near prospect heights, so the ATM fee issue is a big one)

    I use wachovia for checking, but for savings/CDs, I use ING because the interest rates are so much better and there are minimal penalties (half of interest earned) for cashing in a CD early.
  • oiseau
    oiseau
    I think the M&T bank still has one of those ATM's that keeps your card while you take out money and then gives it back to you when you're done. When I first moved into PH I opened an account at the East New York Savings Bank (I believe that was what it was called before M&T) but after losing/leaving my ATM card in their ATM a couple of times I switched to Citibank.
  • alafairnadia
    alafairnadia
    I bank at Chase. When I first moved to NYC that was the only bank in central Harlem (I'm not kidding -- it may still be the only bank in the 5th/Lenox vicinty of 135th street). Then I got my current job, which banks with Chase, so I get some souped up account for free because I work here. So ... still with Chase. They've done TONS to improve online bill pay in the last year. Pretty awesome, considering the level of my jealousy previously.
    Plus, they're right there on F'bush.

    Good luck.
  • vanilla
    vanilla
    any thoughts on commerce?!
  • alafairnadia
    alafairnadia
    vanilla wrote: any thoughts on commerce?!
    they seem cool if you live anywhere near a branch.
  • stacey
    stacey
    11238 - Did the huge HSBC bank close that was at the Clock Tower? That was such a beautiful bank!
  • 11238
    11238
    stacey wrote: 11238 - Did the huge HSBC bank close that was at the Clock Tower? That was such a beautiful bank!
    I don't know... my lame branch is at 39th and 3rd.
  • jack
    jack
    stacey wrote: 11238 - Did the huge HSBC bank close that was at the Clock Tower? That was such a beautiful bank!
    No, the HSBC branch at One Hanson Place is still there. But it's days are numbered since the building is going to be converted to coops. But no clear answer on what will happen to the majestic (and I am 100% serious) banking space on the ground floor. Going there is truly an experience and if you live in the 'hood and have not enjoyed the space before please go and check it out.

    PS: I use HSBC simply because of the amount of branches they have. But I am seriously considering Washington Mutual since they seem a tad better for some things.
  • unterberg
    unterberg
    I do E*trade Banking and haven't had any issues...there's even an E*trade ATM at the Met Foods on Vanderbilt/Park.....
  • teddyballgame
    teddyballgame
    I use commerce even though I now live pretty far away from them because they're great. Everything's free, and if you keep a certain amount in your account, they even reimburse you the ATM charges that other banks charge you... So if you take out 40 bucks from the Citibank atm and they charge you 1.50, at the end of the month Commerce pays you back that 1.50.
    Plus they're open 7 days and they're usually open much later than everyplace else, and I am a sucker for their marketing scheme and such I guess, because I love walking in the place and feeling like I'm in some sort of NASA project. Plus, free lollipops (and dog biscuits if you bring your dog through the drive thru lane).

    On the other hand, their interests rates kind of suck. I have what they call a "Premium" money market account and i'm only getting 1%. I'm pretty sure Washington Mutual has a much better interest checking account.

    I don't want to sound like I work there or I'm an advertiser or something, but I've been really satisfied with Commerce thus far. I had a lot of bad experiences with bigger, more sinister seeming banks that all decide to start charging you fees randomly without telling you. Commerce has been pretty great, and there's this really hot girl who works at the one I still go to out on Long Island where I work. All good things.
  • anonymous
    anonymous
    also, they do NOT charge when you use other banks' ATMs, and give you a 5.00/month allowance towards other banks' ATM fees, which rocks. (there are no wachovia banks or ATMs near prospect heights, so the ATM fee issue is a big one)
    I have Wachovia too, which I brought with me from Pennsylvania. But they charge me $2 a pop for using other ATMs (plus the ATM-owner fee). Its gotten so bad I want to leave, even though I really do like everything else about them. How did you get the free ATM usage? :shock:
  • muk
    muk

    Subject: Me too

    I use E@TRADE Bank as well. I originally got it years ago when no traditional banks came close to them with regard to interest rates, silly fees (lack thereof), balance minimums, and ATM fees.

    The gap in value between E*TRADE and brick & mortar banks has certainly gotten slimmer, but it may still be worth looking into.

    Caveat - as of 2002 E*TRADE did not offer certified/cashiers checks. This can be a problem if you are putting a down payment on a house. This may have changed, but I am not sure.
    unterberg wrote: I do E*trade Banking and haven't had any issues...there's even an E*trade ATM at the Met Foods on Vanderbilt/Park.....
  • arielbl
    arielbl
    Matt wrote:
    also, they do NOT charge when you use other banks' ATMs, and give you a 5.00/month allowance towards other banks' ATM fees, which rocks. (there are no wachovia banks or ATMs near prospect heights, so the ATM fee issue is a big one)
    I have Wachovia too, which I brought with me from Pennsylvania. But they charge me $2 a pop for using other ATMs (plus the ATM-owner fee). Its gotten so bad I want to leave, even though I really do like everything else about them. How did you get the free ATM usage? :shock:
    I'm from Pennsylvania as well (when I lived there I banked with PNC - never again!), but I registered for my account in NYC - maybe you only get this benefit when you sign up in NY, where they have so few ATMs and branches? Its definitely not a perk related to the size of my account ;)
  • isa
    isa
    I bank at Astoria Federal Savings on 7th avenue because they are the only ones that will have me.
  • t-fal
    t-fal
    i bank through usaa. i qualify for them because my dad became a member back when he was in the military in the 60's. the only drawback is that they have no local branches, unless you live in a big military base town, like san diego, san antonio, i think they have some overseas locations too. but their benefits totally rock. they have no fees, free internet banking, free web bill pay, i never have to wait for some silly funds release policy to allow me to access money after i deposit, they give you postage paid deposit envelopes, pay you back up to 1.50 for your atm withdrawals. when you call them, you talk to a REAL LIVE PERSON who actally wants to help you out. and they have very good interest rates. i also get my renters insurance through them.

    oh yeah, the fact that so many of their members are overseas means that your car always seems to work and you never have banking issues abroad. which is really nice if you are an aspiring jet setter like i am.

    they rock, so if you qualify for them (either you, your spouse, or a parent has to serve in the military and sign up...i dunno...i can't remember, check the full details on their website www.usaa.com) totally look into becoming a member.
  • metulj
    metulj
    t-fal wrote: Words about USAA.
    We have it too. Their car insurance rates rock even in Brooklyn. We pay 62 bucks a month for liability on the beater and they pay quickly and fairly on claims.
  • rita
    rita
    stacey wrote: 11238 - Did the huge HSBC bank close that was at the Clock Tower? That was such a beautiful bank!
    HSBC has moved out, but the new owners have said they plan to get a tenant that will maintain the mosiac ceiling etc. it is quite exquisite.

    i agree with ana.log about citibank for the same reason. last i checked, chase seemed behind on the online and integration services.
  • jarvis
    jarvis
    For checking and money market I use Citibank (for no other reason other than number of ATMs and their on-line system). I actually think it's kind of a rip-off because I never have the minimum balance required to waive fees, so it can be a little expensive. Not only do you get charged 1.50 or 2 dollars every time you use someone else's atm, but then citibank charges an additional dollar!

    But, for a savings account, I would absolutely hands-down recommend ING Direct. The interest rate is high, there are no fees, and a real live person answers the phone every time. Also, if you go to one of their branches (they call them cafes), you get free coffee. It's the hook-up.
  • dailyheights
    dailyheights
    I think the M&T bank still has one of those ATM's that keeps your card while you take out money and then gives it back to you when you're done.
    The truth is even more absurd: they just installed a BRAND NEW ATM, within the past year, that not only keeps your card during the transaction, but makes the transaction even less intuitive and more difficult to navigate than before.
  • joshb
    joshb
    The HSBC in One Hanson is closing, but they're moving into the new building across the street. I use HSBC (tons of ATMs and branches), and because I travel a lot, it's great that they're worldwide: Was just in Guadalajara and there were HSBCs up the wazoo.

    They just started a super-swell online savings account, too.
  • paulybrklynny
    paulybrklynny
    vanilla wrote: any thoughts on commerce?!
    brilliant bank.

    i am the socialist/hates all corporations type and i have found myself waxing poetic about this bank on numerous accasions to total strangers.

    of course the 32nd and Park location is 2 blocks from my office.

    i do all my banking after work or at lunch, but at least they're open late.

    newpark slope branch will be great.
    other than that, its brooklyn hts or windsor terrace.

    only drawback is the super-sized burger king look of their branches.


    oh, and just use if for checking, btw. whoever said intersts rates suck on all esel was right.
    put your savings in an ING money market (which someone else said) you can transfer between the two on-line very easily.

    i have direct deposit set up for both. $25 to ING, the rest to Commerce every paycheck. I've been to the branch 5 times in 2 years.
  • bluedove
    bluedove
    jarvis wrote: For checking and money market I use Citibank (for no other reason other than number of ATMs and their on-line system). I actually think it's kind of a rip-off because I never have the minimum balance required to waive fees, so it can be a little expensive. Not only do you get charged 1.50 or 2 dollars every time you use someone else's atm, but then citibank charges an additional dollar!

    But, for a savings account, I would absolutely hands-down recommend ING Direct. The interest rate is high, there are no fees, and a real live person answers the phone every time. Also, if you go to one of their branches (they call them cafes), you get free coffee. It's the hook-up.
    Ditto! I am obsessively in love with ING and recommend it to everyone I know. If anyone wants to open a savings account there, let me (or, to be fair, jarvis) know--when someone sends you an invite and you open an account, you get $25 in your new account and the inviter gets $10. Can't beat that with a stick ;)
  • vanilla
    vanilla
    but what's the deal with the ING cafe? like instead of being a bank, if you want to go talk to people in person... it's like.... a cafe? confused.
  • bluedove
    bluedove
    I don't know, I've never heard of the cafe thing. I do all my ING banking online.
  • whyfi
    whyfi

    Subject: ING Cafe

    vanilla wrote: but what's the deal with the ING cafe? like instead of being a bank, if you want to go talk to people in person... it's like.... a cafe? confused.
    Yeah, there's near work... I think that it's just off of 3rd Ave in the low 50's. I have an ING account and was wondering what the hell was with the place, too...
  • dlw5
    dlw5
    teddyballgame wrote: I use commerce even though I now live pretty far away from them because they're great. Everything's free...
    Plus they're open 7 days and they're usually open much later than everyplace else...

    On the other hand, their interests rates kind of suck.

    I've been really satisfied with Commerce thus far.
    Yes, I agree... sorry to put that quote through the cuisinart
  • bluedove
    bluedove

    Subject: Re: ING Cafe

    nybt wrote: [quote=vanilla]but what's the deal with the ING cafe? like instead of being a bank, if you want to go talk to people in person... it's like.... a cafe? confused.
    Yeah, there's near work... I think that it's just off of 3rd Ave in the low 50's. I have an ING account and was wondering what the hell was with the place, too...

    It's on 49th between Park & Lex, according to the web site.

    By the way, my love for ING was dented a bit by a raving BITCH of a customer service agent on the phone yesterday. Fortunately, after much frothing and ranting, my friend convinced me to call back, and the lovely man who took my call the second time was much more helpful. Love restored.
  • boaty
    boaty
    Bank of America is the best bank!! I highly recommend it
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