Free Checking accounts

[Spike88]

Anyone know of any good free checking acounts? I have/had WAMU, but I'm not too fond of Chase.

My account, which is a wamu free checking, will transfer to a chase free checking account. But if I don't spend so much in debit purchases or have direct desposit in 6 months, they start charging. Which basically translates to them charging me for holding my money.
Plus with WAMU, I would get an overdraft waiver every year they'd accumulate. Not that I ever overdraft, but it was still a good thing to have, with Chase you get one every year, but you can only have a total of 1.


The main reason I have a bank account is for buying stuff over the internet. I'd charge it to my debit/credit card and then go put the money in my bank account. With Chase I have to have the money in my account before I can use my Debit/Credit card.

I'm also currently unemployed, any money I make from odd jobs is under the table and I just prefer keeping the cash on hand, although once I get a job I'll probably get direct deposit.

[donut]

Trust is of God,banks exist on greed, satins business. Fees ! Beam me up soon.:arrgh!:

[mookiemookie]

Go with a credit union!

http://consumerist.com/142989/are-credit-unions-really-better-than-banks

[Platapus]

Credit unions are great. If there is a PNC bank in your area, check them out.

Interest bearing checking accounts with a minimum balance.
Free checking accounts with no minimum
No ATM fees from any PNC bank
Any ATN fee that you maybe charged by another ATM is refunded to your account!

I really like that last part.

But, I can also highly recommend a reputable credit union, especially if you are just starting out.

[PeriscopeDepth]

Yes, you'd be insane not to go to a credit union nowadays.

PD

[Sailor Steve]

I'm with a local Credit Union, and everything is free. Well, I have to pay for almost any ATM use, but I find it more convenient to go into a grocery store, but a soda, and get cash back. Everything else is just peachy, and I'll never go back to my old bank.

[OneToughHerring]

I've heard that overall people still use cheques and cheque books in the States? Most people don't use ATM's and stuff? Here in Finland the ATM's all work with cards from all banks so it's easier that way.

Having said that the banks recently changed the main bank cards into cards that have Visa Electron included. These new cards don't work everywhere and there has been plenty of hassles with them.

[mookiemookie]

I've heard that overall people still use cheques and cheque books in the States? Most people don't use ATM's and stuff? Here in Finland the ATM's all work with cards from all banks so it's easier that way.

Having said that the banks recently changed the main bank cards into cards that have Visa Electron included. These new cards don't work everywhere and there has been plenty of hassles with them.

I wouldn't say overall people use checks. Actually they're getting more and more rare...it's not very often I'm at the grocery store and someone is paying with a check. Usually they're older people and it's a holdover from the pre-plastic days. Reluctant to change, I suppose. Most everyone I know uses debit cards exclusively.

I never carry cash, so it's rare that I use an ATM. But you'd have little problem finding an ATM that would accept your bank card (albeit with a fee attached if the ATM isn't owned by your bank.) I'd say it's pretty comparable to Finland in that regard.

[Platapus]

I keep a small number of checks on hand because there are still some services that want checks (Cleaning service for one)

But all my other bills I use the bank's web interface for paying and I love it!

I have not tried to cash a check in a store in about 10+ years.

I only use ATMs for withdrawing of cash. I know that they are often capable of providing more services though. I just choose not to use them.

I was, once, stuck behind an ATM power user. I think he was trying to plan the economy of a small country. All I wanted to do was get my cashola! :damn:

I envision, in the future, "express" ATMs for those who just want cash.

[Sailor Steve]

I've heard that overall people still use cheques and cheque books in the States? Most people don't use ATM's and stuff?
My CU didn't even give me a checkbook. But they made the card and handed it to me on the spot. I mostly use a debit card, which is the same as a check, everywhere I go. I pay my bills online and the card is good in any store I can think of - though I still get a little embarassed when I use it at the 7-11 for a soda that costs a whopping 84 cents. For my rent I go to the CU's website, click a button and they mail a paper check to my landlady. I love it!

Here in Finland the ATM's all work with cards from all banks so it's easier that way.
Not that lucky here in the US. Businesses want your trade, so they charge to use each other's machines.

These new cards don't work everywhere...
:rotfl:

When I first read that I thought you said anywhere! D'oh!