BOA or CHASE? (Chicago: credit, price, deposit)

[southkakkatlantan]

I can't do Wells Fargo anymore...I just moved here and there aren't any of them here basically.

Besides, since WF took over Wachovia, my checking account doesn't display a running tab of my balance with each transaction which irks the h*ll outta me....

It seems BOA and CHASE are my best options; do either have free checking? I'm leaning towards Chase at the moment...

[oakparkdude]

I believe they both have free checking if you automatically deposit your paycheck.

[ChiNaan]

I always do my checking / debit card through local credit unions. I can't stand the huge banks.

[southkakkatlantan]

Originally Posted by ChiNaan

I always do my checking / debit card through local credit unions. I can't stand the huge banks.

Yea, but what about atm fees? If you're using a local credit union and you go beyond your area where there aren't any atm's specific to your bank don't you end up paying a bunch in atm charges whenever you need to withdraw cash? Especially if you travel?

[marothisu]

Both it depends. For example, I got B of A for a secondary account when I moved here. I barely use them and they started rolling out this thing where I had to pay money per month because I wasn't depositing x amount every month into my account, so they made me downgrade to an ATM only account. Chase has a similar deal. If you're switching over in general, I wouldn't worry about it. All they require is that you deposit a certain amount of money into your account each month.

Most people I talk to through prefer Chase over B of A

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by southkakkatlantan

Yea, but what about atm fees? If you're using a local credit union and you go beyond your area where there aren't any atm's specific to your bank don't you end up paying a bunch in atm charges whenever you need to withdraw cash? Especially if you travel?

There are some local credit unions/banks which have a number of ATMs here like North Community Bank. The ATM fees in Chicago can be ridiculous. I bet average is $2.50-$3, and I've seen as high as $5.

[ChiNaan]

Originally Posted by southkakkatlantan

Yea, but what about atm fees? If you're using a local credit union and you go beyond your area where there aren't any atm's specific to your bank don't you end up paying a bunch in atm charges whenever you need to withdraw cash? Especially if you travel?

Credit unions have networks with other credit unions, where you can use just about any credit union's atm for free. I don't use cash very often these days, and when I do I usually know where to go without paying a fee, just like people with Chase and BOA accounts do.

Even without the network, in the worst case scenario where I didn't plan well or am traveling it's not a huge deal to pay $2.50 or whatever for each $200 in cash I need. It's a small price to pay to avoid dealing with the large banks, IMO.

[urbanlife78]

If you can't do a credit union go with Chase, BoA is run by the devil, I would never suggest anyone to go through them.

[knitgirl]

BMO Harris is a good option, I've banked there for years and years.

[tjl944]

We've been with Chase for years and are very happy with their service