Best banks to use? (Richmond, Cleveland: mortgage, credit card, attorney)

[Pinipeanut]

Just wondering if you guys could help me decide which bank to use in the Richmond area. Here in Cleveland, the bank that I use has lost some of my money twice!! So I want to make sure I am putting my money in a good, reliable bank. Do any of them have free checking? What about ATMs? Which one has a lot of them? Anything you guys could tell me would be great! Thanks!

[LynnS]

It's really a no-brainer to say it, but only use banks that are FDIC or FSLIC.

No bank can do as you have claimed without breaking laws. If you have missing funds in any bank account, you contact them to file a report. Their accounting practices are subject to federal and state regulation.

Free checking and ATMs are available w/ many banks but you will probably have to go through a credit check before opening up a checking account. Too many people have evidently thought that owning blank checks means they have free money.

I only use banks and credit cards who do not outsource. I would encourage you to contact all local banks and ask if they outsource their accounting and your private information to another country. You DONT want your credit and banking information going outside of the USA.

[Pinipeanut]

Could you give me names of major banks in the area? Who do you bank with?

[LynnS]

Here, I bank with Bank of Clarke County and First Bank. I don't believe either is in your Richmond area.

Credit card: First National Bank of Omaha. Highly recommended on customer service, very helpful staff, no automated answering system, and they do not outsource. I can't believe they are real but we've used them for many years.

(No affiliations w/ any of the above except personal business.)

[DavidS827]

I just scwitched to Citi Bank and think they are great. I can manage or transfer my money from anywhere and they have ATMs in every 7-11 across the country.

[Pinipeanut]

Thanks! I will look into that! I was trying to find a bank that is here in Ohio too, but cant seem to find one. Citi sounds familiar so it might work! Thank you!

[LynnS]

Congratulations on your choice !! You'll be selecting one of the top US corporations that outsources to India!!

Wow --you think it's bad that you feel money was taken from your bank account? What will you do when your identity is stolen and then resold, ruining your credit and pretty much your life for a few years?

You might want to look before you leap. Check the complaints with the Attorney General's, or get some quick answers at Google. Just type:

Citibank outsource

See what you find.

[saganista]

Better yet, join the highest-rated credit union you can find on your arrival. There is no financial service on which banks have a monopoly, so there is in essence no real reason (as an individual) ever to have to deal with one.

[Pinipeanut]

LynnS- wow! calm down! I didnt decide on anything yet, I wouldn't just jump into anything without looking into it! Thanks for the link.

saganista- thank you

[EricD]

I use SunTrust... I've been very happy with them, and even have my mortgage through them too.

Also Bank of America seems to be everywhere... seems to be a safe bet if you travel a lot.

BB&T is all over the place in VA...

Hopfully one of those names rings a bell