I hate Wachovia....please what other banks do you suggest?! (place, regulations)

[FluidFreedom]

Suntrust is one bank I will NEVER give my money to. They charged us every time someone cashed a check we wrote out of order (never heard of this before in my life) and when we finally had enough of the other issues we were having with them and closed our accounts, they reopened it twice (months later) when someone made fraudulent charges against our account and charged us with over draft fees. We contacted the BBB to find out how a bank can reopen an account that we closed and found out that they had no right to do that.

[CHTransplant]

Originally Posted by mia78

You can easily see where the holds are and how much money you REALLY have available to spend.

This is a good description. However, it's not a perfect system:

Good old fashion paper checks don't show up until they've cleared - so if you've written a check, you have to keep track of that yourself.

I've noticed that pending bill payments (if you use online bill pay) have a tendency to disappear temporarily into limbo on the day they are paid. They will not appear in your list of pending payments, nor will they show in your account transactions.

P.S. I've never had the problem with transactions at the gas pump not showing up immediately. I never use debit at the pump as I am fearful of "skimmers," so I always process as a "credit" transaction.

[jmana]

Originally Posted by Crashj007

Jmana, that is what the little folder that comes with your checks is for. Write down all your transactions and do the math. Don't rely on the bank to tell you how to manage your money.

You must work for the bank, because I have heard that excuse so many times. What kills me, in this day and age, with all the technology, that you can't accurately tell me how much of the money in my account I can spend when I call your 800 number. Why even tell me if it's not accurate?? Ohhhh, that's right, because I wouldn't bounce my account and rack up $$$$ in fees, makes lots of sense to me now

[mia78]

Originally Posted by CHTransplant

This is a good description. However, it's not a perfect system:

Good old fashion paper checks don't show up until they've cleared - so if you've written a check, you have to keep track of that yourself.

I've noticed that pending bill payments (if you use online bill pay) have a tendency to disappear temporarily into limbo on the day they are paid. They will not appear in your list of pending payments, nor will they show in your account transactions.

P.S. I've never had the problem with transactions at the gas pump not showing up immediately. I never use debit at the pump as I am fearful of "skimmers," so I always process as a "credit" transaction.

Yep, they are so old fashioned, I hardly ever use them!

[CHTransplant]

Originally Posted by mia78

Yep, they are so old fashioned, I hardly ever use them!

Hardly ever? Why would you bank with them at all if you don't like them?

[Hamish Forbes]

I recently closed my accounts with Coastal, which I had had for many years. IMO, their customer service and general attitude toward members just stinks, and their interest rates on deposits are way too low. What a useless credit union! On the other hand, SECU is just the opposite. If you can, go with SECU. If not, then go with First Citizens.

[mia78]

Originally Posted by CHTransplant

Hardly ever? Why would you bank with them at all if you don't like them?

I'm a bit confused here. I didn't say I didn't like banks. I was talking about writing checks 'so old fashioned, I hardly use them'.

[CHTransplant]

Originally Posted by mia78

I'm a bit confused here. I didn't say I didn't like banks. I was talking about writing checks 'so old fashioned, I hardly use them'.

Oh that makes sense! Sorry I thought you were talking about Wachovia. I agree with you - I only use checks for the occasional odd bill. I have a pet peeve about those who still use checks in the store, and so carefully fill out the check and their register (never ahead of time!) in the most careful penmanship.

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by CHTransplant

Oh that makes sense! Sorry I thought you were talking about Wachovia. I agree with you - I only use checks for the occasional odd bill. I have a pet peeve about those who still use checks in the store, and so carefully fill out the check and their register (never ahead of time!) in the most careful penmanship.

While your ice cream melts.....

[DavionCross]

Actually, I've been banking with Wachovia for over 10 years and I really never had any trouble with them. Banks are now following better regulations have improved practices to cut down on fraud (i.e. bad checks, identity theft, etc.) and irresposible bank management by their owners (i.e. people like you and me.) Banks have to protect both your and their investment by checking millions of transactions each second to ensure that your account has not been compromised by theft or fraudelent activities. So if it takes a bit longer to prevent these activities, then by all means, I encourage it. I was a victim of ID theft Jan. 2010 and it was the swift actions of Wachovia rep that notified me about these unusual transactions. Revisit Chase now, they could be taking similar precautions with their transaction and way of doing business. Also, it could be the time of day the transaction was initial processed.