Best banking in NJ (Clifton, Kearny: credit, loan, how much)

[Raven1976]

IN your experience, which banks in NJ do you feel are the best? I'm really tired of Capital One and feel they ********* over every chance they get.

I just need a checking account with overdraft protection.

[Spincycle]

My experience
Hudson City Savings - top notch for short term CD & MM rates.
Spencers Savings - GREAT customer service (but rates can't compete).
Chase & WAMU - good service but not good investment houses.
BofA - no clue (just pay my CC's there).

Question
In search of additional banks for good short term CD & MM rates plus service how do the following fare - see below.

Almagated (Ridge Rd. in North Arlington)
Boiling Springs
Capital One
Clifton Savings
Commerce Bank
Kearny Federal Savings
Valley National


Feedback, experiences, comments/concerns, pluses & minuses?

[findinghope]

for me, i was always more happy with my credit union than my bank. it was always easier to get a loan, they always gave me a quarter percent off my loan interest because i would get the money direct deposited into the account. overall, they just had better stuff to offer me.

[tahiti]

Originally Posted by findinghope

for me, i was always more happy with my credit union than my bank. it was always easier to get a loan, they always gave me a quarter percent off my loan interest because i would get the money direct deposited into the account. overall, they just had better stuff to offer me.

- bingo. my credit union is AWESOME - free, interest bearing checking (no minimums), competitive rates, customer service on par with if not better than NJM. I would definitely investigate a credit union if you have access to one.

[Calico696]

Wish I could be doing the credit union thing. BF does. Anyway, I bank at Commerce Bank, no issues there. They have good hours and I don't pay any fees for checking.

[HalfFull]

I also like my credit union a lot.

Commerce Bank has also been convenient and friendly with decent rates. They were purchased by TD, so will have to see how much changes....

[wileynj]

I'm a firm believer in "community banking". They are typically more conservative. I use Skyland's Community Bank.

[RobRiguez]

Ive been using BOA since they bought Fleet. Never had a problem. LOVE their online access. I havent walked into a branch in maybe 2 years. I do direct deposit so I get free checking, I keep a minimum balance so I have no fees. I dont care about interest.

[NJ Chutzpah]

PNC Bank out of pittsburgh

no subprimes as they tell me

only problem is they have no branches in NYC, only atm at PennStation

[Lucario]

PNC has lots of branches in Central and South Jersey, don't know much about other areas of the state......