Local Banks in SA (San Antonio, Jefferson: insurance, credit, pros and cons)

[malcorub16]

Let me just say that I choose to do strictly online banks such as Ally and Capital One because their websites/apps are easy to use and they pay decent interest rates. Ally Stock Market accounts are also super easy to manage and both of them have zero international fees when I am in Mexico or Canada. I've used these two for about 12 years now.

I recently started administering my mother's bank account which is via Security Service CU, I understand this is one of the largest banks/credit unions in SA. I see their new big campus on IH10 toward Fiesta Texas as I am entering/leaving town. Let me just say, their website is horrible. The main problem I have with it is that it only gives you 60 days of checking account history and then you have to go thru each individual PDF statement one by one to figure out what historical transactions took place. Another thing I see is that she's been charged a $6 dlls maintenance fee going back years for something called POWER PROTECTED CHECKING. She never signed up for this, but looks like she was automatically opted into it for not declining it when the notice was sent.

I'm thinking of moving her money out of this credit union to another local bank. Like most older folks she insists on having a brick and mortar bank to go to. So the big ones seem to be Security Service, IBC, Frost Bank, USAA, Credit Human and Broadway Bank. What's your preference of these or any other local banks? Any pros and cons on local banks would be appreciated including in person banking (for her) and online (for me).

[ParaguaneroSwag]

You pretty much listed most of the big banks based in San Antonio.

[malcorub16]

Originally Posted by ParaguaneroSwag

You pretty much listed most of the big banks based in San Antonio.

^ Thank you, looking for opinions of these.

[elnina]

You want a local bank? What about Jefferson?
https://www.jeffersonbank.com/
I used to be customer for a long time, but left around 2012 because I didn't like their banking hours. At that time they also offered less than competitors. Not sure how they are doing now ..

There is also a FirstMark Credit Union.

[TexasRedneck]

You didn't mention Randolph-Brooks, which a very large credit union here. Overdraft protection is free, and they're pretty easy to use online - but you have to go through some hoops to look back more than 30 days.

[elnina]

Originally Posted by TexasRedneck

You didn't mention Randolph-Brooks, which a very large credit union here. Overdraft protection is free, and they're pretty easy to use online - but you have to go through some hoops to look back more than 30 days.

Oh, yeah. Decent bank. More info here:

https://www.bankrate.com/banking/rev...-credit-union/

[TowBar]

Security Service does have a no fee checking account option, it's called Power Checking. Power Protected Checking gives you some added benefits for the $6 monthly fee. This includes identity theft protection, and mobile phone insurance. For me, the mobile phone coverage has been beneficial. It is cheaper than coverage offered by the 3 major cell phone companies. I have had 2 claims totaling about $500, so it will take me about 7 years ($500/$6 per month) to break even. If you don't have a mobile phone, or are very careful with your phone, then the Power Checking option would be better off. I have 4 phones on my account, including 1 for a teenager, so it's worth the $6 for piece of mind.

[RadiantBaby]

USAA bank has served me well and their app has come a long way.

Frost is always solid. I have accounts there and the personal touch is unmatched.

If you just want a no-fee, cheapo account, there are a lot of options in town.

[ged_782]

Originally Posted by RadiantBaby

USAA bank has served me well and their app has come a long way.

Frost is always solid. I have accounts there and the personal touch is unmatched.

If you just want a no-fee, cheapo account, there are a lot of options in town.

just a note that USAA Bank has required qualifying military service or military relationship for a number of years now on new accounts. Existing non-military customers were grandfathered.

[Azure110]

Originally Posted by ged_782

just a note that USAA Bank has required qualifying military service or military relationship for a number of years now on new accounts. Existing non-military customers were grandfathered.

USAA doesn't really have any physical locations. Just a couple locally aside from the ATM machines scattered throughout?