recommendation for bank

[muffinman]

I'll put my vote in for Bank of America. I've been happy with free checking, money manager accounts and investments that I started with BOA before I married. The investments divisions is called Banc of America Investments. After my wife and I married they helped us merge our various finances. Online bill pay is great, use it all the time. Quicken links up with BOA very easily. We have a mortgage and equity line of credit with BOA as well. Since investing with Banc of America Investments in early 2004, my portfolio has grown 6% a year. Their account services are tiered based on the amount of cash handed over but if you want to talk to a banking or investments person, DM me and I'm happy to help.

[reneecarpenter]

I too have been with WAchovia since I graduated from college in 1990. My husband banks at BB&T and loves them. Smaller bank with great personal service. We have a branch within 1/2 mile from our house and it's very convenient. I would switch my account but I have had it for so long....

[coped]

I would recommend avoiding the big banks and going for a credit union if possible. Where are you and your husband working? Some employers have credit unions that offer much higher interest rates on savings, and lower fees for checking, ATM, etc., and better mortgage terms. I've heard of Founders, which has a number of branches around here, but have not had any experience with them. Charlotte Metro is good, but has only 2 branches in the Charlotte area.

For me, I'm willing to sacrifice "service" for a higher interest rate. Also, if you are in N.C. State Employee's Credit Union offers no fee ATMs, though you can't join the credit union if you're not a state employee or in a state employee's immediate family.

[waccamatt]

I second the vote for using a credit union. I work for a credit union (not one with locations in your area) and I will tell you that you will save money by using a credit union. If you live in York or Lancaster County you may join Founders Federal Credit Union.

[grannynancy]

In terms of ATM access - if you are talking local or all over the place

Founders Credit Union is good to deal with ---- but only local in terms of ATMs.

Walk-all-ovah-yah, seems to be as good as any and I use them, but my husband really likes First Citizens and they actually called him when he made a mistake BEFORE they did any charges so he could fix it.

[beachbumssb]

I have been with First Citizens for about 6 years now and love them. They have always been very helpful. I have had a few instances that I had been double charged from a gas station and they credited my account right away and contacted the station for me about the error. When my husband and I moved here from IL, we first went through Bank of America... Big Mistake! The monthly charges were ridiculous!

[groove1]

Truliant Credit Union is great. You can get up to 8 free transactions from other banks' ATM's with your Truliant check card so you don't pay the fees. They also do not charge non-members a fee to use their ATM's (as Founder's does). To be eligible, you simply must live, work or worship in one of the counties in which they have a presence (Mecklenburg). The branch on Tyvola is close to where I work.

[AmericanRoadGirl]

I'm a big fan of BB & T and credit unions. My CUs aren't local but the Truliant CU is in a shared services network with one of them (IBM SE Employees') and so I stop in every once in a while at that branch you mentioned, Groove. The folks there are always very pleasant and the branch is very convenient to I-77.

[groove1]

Yeah the customer service at that branch and everyone I have ever talked to on the phone are great. It probably helps that they are memebers too and they are in Greensboro rather than outsourced. Truliant also doesn't sell yuor credit cards as most banks do. I have also heard good things about Charlotte Metro.

[urbandweller2]

I would have to agree with joining a credit union. I have ALWAYS financed my cars through the credit union and have found that they are a full percentage point below what even USAA could offer us. We have accounts at the "big guy" and the credit union