The end of free checking from large b&m banks? (insurance, credit card)

[PeteyNice]

I am a WaMuChase customer and spent some time today seeing if Chase would be OK. I was disappointed with what I learned. I don't use it as my primary banks, mainly for ancillary services and to deposit cash.

One of the things that both Washington Mutual and Wachovia offered was no strings attached free checking. Wells Fargo, Chase and Citi all have restrictions and qualifiers on their "free" checking products. Bank of America seems to offer a no-strings attached free checking product but you need to open the account online - it looks like a special promotion.

With all of the consolidation does this mean the end of the legit free checking from a national b&m bank? If so that would be terrible.

[Donn2390]

Originally Posted by PeteyNice

I am a WaMuChase customer and spent some time today seeing if Chase would be OK. I was disappointed with what I learned. I don't use it as my primary banks, mainly for ancillary services and to deposit cash.

One of the things that both Washington Mutual and Wachovia offered was no strings attached free checking. Wells Fargo, Chase and Citi all have restrictions and qualifiers on their "free" checking products. Bank of America seems to offer a no-strings attached free checking product but you need to open the account online - it looks like a special promotion.

With all of the consolidation does this mean the end of the legit free checking from a national b&m bank? If so that would be terrible.

I have been with B of A for many years, and once you get on line checking, you will never write checks again..!
I wrote two all of last year. Pay all bills online, and use a credit card for everything, then pay the CC bill in full at the end of the month, online..!

[bxlefty23]

good-just stop letting them lend out more than than actually have

[knoxgarden]

Pay online. Cheaper, faster and easier to keep track of what you're spending and any weird charges on the accounts.
I write one check a month to the condo association. Utilities, cable, credit cards, mortgage, insurance, car payments are all made online. I get my statements online, too. No worry about identity theft from someone stealing paper.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by knoxgarden

Pay online. ....

I sure hope they start 'wiring' rural America (and national scenic areas that don't allow dishes or cell towers).... My 'pay-by-the-byte-ultra-slow-dialup' won't do 'online banking. It always 'times out' before security protocol can connect.

The US is really bad on connection speed and reliability, too bad they don't understand how this will restrict the health of the economy and commerce. Some less developed countries I travel to have been better for e-commerce for several years.