Atlanta Banking Options? (Buckhead, Jersey: live, cost, safe)

[globalnomad]

We are wondering whether or not it makes sense to change our existing banking relationships when we move to Atlanta (from overseas).

In this day and time, does having a local banking relationship still make sense?

In Atlanta, what are the best banking options in terms of services, ATM locations, outlets, etc?

Or all they all pretty much the same?

We'll most likely live within the perimeter somewhere.

[john1963]

i would definitely open a local account even if it is only a few hundred dollars.
i have found sometimes you need banks for cashiers checks or notary service or safe deposit boxes. Also, if someone writes you a check and you want to cash it, banks treat you poorly if you do not have an account and it is a hassle to cash it, requiring 2 forms of id, managers approval.
If you are moving from overseas, you probably need a local bank to guarantee your trasnsactions or you might be waiting a week or two for your check to clear.

wachovia and suntrust are 2 good local banks, personally i would avoid bank of america...they stink

[lastminutemom]

We have been with SunTrust for two decades and have never had a problem. There are lots of different ways to bank == but I would want to minimize fees (ATM, transaction) so a local bank might be the only want do do that.

[Buckhead_Broker]

It also depends on the level of service and sophistication you are looking for in a banking relationship. I've banked with Wachovia for 30 years without a hitch. It pays to get to know the branch manager well. If you need more personalized service or you have a complex financial situation, you may want to look at some of the banks that offer private banking, such as The Georgian Bank, The Private Bank, Midtown Bank, Buckhead Bank, etc.

[jeweloflight]

The big three banks here in the Atlanta area are Suntrust, Wachovia and Bank of America. I like Bank of America because they have branches from the East Coast all the way out to California. The other two banks are more regional. If you just need basic banking service without any frills, either of these would be fine.

[kayrob]

First question is who do you use now. We were with Bank of America back in Jersey so we didn't have to change a thing there.

[BobKovacs]

We did the same thing. We set up a Wachovia account here in NJ so I can move money from the accounts at our local-only bank, and have it readily available the minute we get to Atlanta.

Bob

[Mossberg]

I went with Bank of America for the convenience factor. There are branches all over GA and most other states since I HATE paying the ripoff called ATM fees. It doesn't cost $6 to communicate electronically with another bank. This is rape.

[AKelley728]

My wife and I have been CoreStates/First Fidelity -> First Union -> Wachovia customers for over ten years in New Jersey. We intend on staying with Wachovia when we move to GA.

[globalnomad]

We'll check out the big three Atlanta banks you mentioned.

Thank you, everyone!

Global Nomad