Good bank in SoCal? (San Diego, Temecula: co-op, credit rating, loans)

[PharmgirlinNC]

I'm relocating to SD in less than 2 months. I've been banking with a local NC bank for over 30 years, but will need to switch (no CA branches). I read a lot in the news about CA bank failures. Any recommendations for good, stable banks? Or suggestions for banks that it might be best to stay away from?

[AnotherBravesFan]

I was with them over 20 years and recommend.

[cruitr]

Mission Federal Credit Union: Mission Federal Credit Union | Your San Diego county credit union for checking. savings, auto and home loans
or
Union Bank: https://www.unionbank.com/

Both are very conservative financial institutions.

[moved]

California Coast Credit Union (www.californiacoastcreditunion.com). Stay away from US Bank. They have a lot of branches, and are getting larger, but have problems. If you deposit a check that is over $100, they give you first $100, and the rest is on hold. The credit union doesn't do that. I'm getting ready to get rid of US Bank and start another credit union account.

[geeegee]

Union Bank is a good one, or any local credit union that has not taken TARP funds.
Welcome to socal

[loveautumn]

this may sound odd, but I would stay away from small local banks (other than credit unions) because California has had quite a few of these fail...recently one in Temecula. I would still stick with the big guys, BofA, Chase (which just took over WaMu, the McDonalds of banking). Depending on what services you want, I don't think you can go wrong with them, and of course it depends on your credit rating what type of interest rates you will get, etc. If they go under, we're all in big trouble. I would also recommend Comerica. I just wouldn't put all your money into one financial institution. Maybe have checking at one, savings at one, you know what I mean. Credit cards thru a bank are very hard to get unless you have a very high FICO score so keep whatever cards you already have.

[PharmboyinNC]

That's right honey. You don't need any more credit cards...

To clarify, we are looking for stable banks with multiple branches in many parts of SD.

In NC, we prefer local banks with HQs within the state, because we are protected under more consumer laws that the state passed/issued. Plus, since the HQ is in the state, branches and ATMS are more frequent here too. We are members of a credit union here too, but they tend to not have many brick and mortar branches.

We were wondering if CA also has these types of banks.

[f_m]

Originally Posted by AnotherBravesFan

I was with them over 20 years and recommend.

I agree with SDCCU, that have almost 30 locations now. They were originally the credit union for the government employees but now anyone that lives or works in the county can use them.

[loveautumn]

I'm not sure if credit unions have their own ATMs or not, you may have to use another bank's and pay a fee...anyone know? I don' recall ever seeing a credit union ATM.

[moved]

Credit unions do have their own ATMS. They also belong to a Co-Op network, so you can use any credit union ATM without a fee.