Banking suggestions (Columbia, Union: mortgage, credit, loan)

[ranger17]

looks like we should be moving down to your beautiful area later this winter; I was wondering if anyone had some suggestions on who may offer the best service/tyme access/etc for banking in the Columbia area ( or thru-out SC ). I'll be researching up here, but am assuming that the bank we use now does not market themselves in SC. So any tips would as always be appreciated.
thx!

[waccamatt]

I always recommend credit unions over commercial banks. There are a number in the Columbia area with multiple locations.

[Captain Worley]

I'd recommend credit unions as well.

[jlboney]

In my experience, it depends on the credit union. I will say that there is one here in town, that I will never ever do business with again. South Carolina Federal Credit Union on Rabon Rd off of Farrow. It was the worse banking experience of my life. Maybe others will feel different, but that's my 2 cents worth.

[ranger17]

Any have better coverage across SC concerning either branches, or at least their atm locations? We're used to being part of a bank up here that covers the majority of WI, and in Madison area has by far the most amount of atm's. Not that we use them frequently; but nothing worse then pulling up to someone else's machine and having to pay their fees just to draw some $$ out.
As for CU's up here, we've used them for lending and some accounts in the past as their rates have always been competitive/better then standard banks, but they are not heavy in the atm type service so have always used banking for those accounts/needs.
thx!

[Buckeye in SC]

Originally Posted by ranger17

Any have better coverage across SC concerning either branches, or at least their atm locations? We're used to being part of a bank up here that covers the majority of WI, and in Madison area has by far the most amount of atm's. Not that we use them frequently; but nothing worse then pulling up to someone else's machine and having to pay their fees just to draw some $$ out.
As for CU's up here, we've used them for lending and some accounts in the past as their rates have always been competitive/better then standard banks, but they are not heavy in the atm type service so have always used banking for those accounts/needs.
thx!

Wachovia has the most locations in SC, however, as you have probably seen on the news, they're in a world of hurt as they are having to merge w/Wells Fargo. Interestingly though, their new skyscraper in Charlotte has continued on, will be interesting to see what happens as the merger progresses.

I think it all depends what you use your bank for. I simply use it for checking/on-line bill pay/direct deposit, so Bank of America, which has a comparable amount of branches in the Columbia area, serves me fine as we get free checks & on-line bill pay. So I have very little need to actually go into a branch very often unless we get a live check for some reason that needs deposited. Customer service tends to be ok depending on the time of day/week, but you probably would get better service/personal attention w/a more regional bank like SCB&T which is smaller, but I have never dealt w/them, so I can't speak on that for sure from experience.

[ranger17]

we actually use our bank for checking/online banking as well; never used them for any mortgage or other loan needs. So i guess "convenience" is higher up on the list for us--a few branches in area to hit if needed, and their machines spread around the market ( or state ).
As always, the info is appreciated. Thank goodness for the internet; this move for us ( as we're life long Wisconsinites ) can be hectic enough. I wonder how people did it in the "old days" where info was minimal. Guess you packed up the station wagon, and headed in a new direction.

[Captain Worley]

Why worry about the ATM when you can get money at practically every store you go to? I haven't used an ATM in close to a decade.

[Buckeye in SC]

Originally Posted by Captain Worley

Why worry about the ATM when you can get money at practically every store you go to? I haven't used an ATM in close to a decade.

You have to pay fees for store or other bank's ATM's is the reason I think he was posing that question.

[ranger17]

yep, point taken. and again, not like we use it often. It's just a convenience that is nice to know is available. Or if a bank/cu has numerous locations, it's easy enough to hit a drive thru if you need to do a quick deposit/withdrawal.
Now i know some of our chains allow a small amount of cash given back over purchase total, but it is a small amount ( like 20 ). They don't make a practice of doing much more--or the tills could empty out pretty quickly...
thx