We are moving to the east coast (keeping location private for now) and need to switch banks. Our current bank has branches on the west coast so we'll need to find a new one.
Recommend some east coast or New England ish banks!
Mobile and online banking is preferred.
I've never been a member of a credit union but I heard good things about them... but I want to make sure they have mobile and online banking features (maybe all banks do now.)
coconut / 8472 posts
I used Citizens bank for a long time and liked them. I only dropped them because DH and I combined finances and I didn't need the accounts any more.
ETA: walk me if you're moving to my area
watermelon / 14467 posts
I use US Bank, but I'm not sure how common they are in the Northeast. When I visited NYC, I saw PNC all over the place. My parents use PNC and like it, but I'm still with US Bank because there are branches all over my city. If I ever move back home, I'll switch to PNC probably because the closes US Bank is 20 miles away and not open on Saturdays.
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
I used TD Bank, mostly because I've been using them forever (since I was a kid). No complaints though, but I hear Credit Unions can get you good deals on car loans and stuff.
eggplant / 11824 posts
I would recommend a local credit union. Ours has mobile banking (and mobile check deposit), online banking, etc. Their physical hours are just as good as any bank, and they are part of a credit union consortium type deal, so your ATM fees are waived for any withdrawal at a credit union, even if it isn't X credit union where you are a member.
pomelo / 5720 posts
We use Bank of America...mostly because they are everywhere! No complaints about anything we've used them for.
pear / 1955 posts
We used DCU (Digital Federal Credit Union) for a while - they have locations throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire. But we switched to Ally Bank (all online) and never looked back - they reimburse all ATM fees, and have higher interest rates since there aren't any brick-and-mortar locations.
pear / 1986 posts
@bluestriped bee: We use Citizens for our main bank, as well as Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU), but have also used TDBank in the past. Wishing you the best of luck with your move!!! 
honeydew / 7968 posts
We have chase and Bank of America. I think between those two, you will find an atm anywhere in the ny/nj area. Not sure about New England. Chase gives u $250 or so to open up an acct w direct deposit or if u use their debit card a few times a month or something.
grapefruit / 4085 posts
We use Chase because they're convenient. Atm's everywhere, good customer service.
hostess / wonderful apple seed / 16729 posts
@yoursilverlining: How do you pick a local one? Whatever is closest to your home? Or do you shop for credit unions just like to shop for other banks?
eggplant / 11824 posts
@bluestriped bee: I just picked one that was close to my work (at the time). It's not close to my work now, but with online/mobile banking, I only find myself having to go into a branch like maybe 1-2 times per year! I just made sure they were members of that "consortium" thing in our state so I wouldn't get hit with atm fees.
pineapple / 12793 posts
I just closed my 17 year old Bank of America account.
I rarely use my american accounts but keep a little cash there for gifts and things.
Last year they changed my account type to one requiring a certain balance, never notified me, and have been draining my account $12 at a time for a year. As I said I very rarely use the account but knew I had $80 in it and paid a $5 bill with the account only to over draw and get charged $35 for the privilege.
They refused to reimburse any of the charges.
All that to say not BOA.
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
We still have Bank of America but have been moving away from them for reasons similar to @oliviaoblivia: They are everywhere in the Boston area, but their fees are just so annoying. You can often get them waives but you have to call or go in to show that you shouldn't be paying a monthly fee and it's just stupid annoying. We have been thinking of switching to Santander because their checking accounts seem better.
We have gotten mortgages and loans through credit unions without previously being members, FYI. No complaints with them either just weren't as convenient for a checking account at the time.
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
I feel like TD is popping up everywhere these days, where I am anyway, which I know is not where you'll be, haha.
Anyway, I use Chase!
hostess / wonderful apple seed / 16729 posts
@Foodnerd81: Oh, good to know I can get loans through them without being a member! Thanks!
grapefruit / 4988 posts
I have used Santander (previously Sovereign) for a long time and had a reasonably good experience, except for the fact that my main account was actually a joint account with my mom (created when I was much younger) and she died 6 years ago and I have been trying to get them to change or close it for 5 years now without any success. I basically stopped using them due to my frustrations with this issue (which admittedly, is a weird one).
I use Ally now for my personal accounts and do all my banking online and get better rates. DH also uses Bank of America and he is fine with them. I know they have lots of fees but they haven't affected him.
pomelo / 5524 posts
We used Commerce Bank which was acquired by TD Bank for a really long time until they royally screwed up a withdrawal from our rental account. Some guy went to withdraw money from his own account, and the teller had a type-o which withdrew the money from our rental checking account. We don't keep a lot of money in there on purpose, so it overdrew. When we went to rectify the situation, customer service said they didn't see any issue with the withdrawal and we received a letter stating they weren't at fault.
We had to go to a branch to get it rectified, and even then, they didn't want to move the money back into our account since it would overdraw the guy's account. It was fine for you to overdraw ours but not his? They gave us his name and account number. Neither of us felt secure with them after that and switched to a regional bank here. Love the customer service now.
pomelo / 5220 posts
I use USAA so I have no specific recommendation other than NOT Bank of America. What a pain the butt, for so many reasons that others have said.
persimmon / 1467 posts
I had Bank of America for a while with no complaints. I switched to Santander to have joint accounts with my husband and we have NOT been impressed. I would switch, but I am too lazy to go through the hassle again.
pomegranate / 3350 posts
If you are right in the Boston area, we have been very happy with Cambridge Savings Bank. I think they changed the accounts or rates but we have free interest checking and they reimburse any ATM fees. Online and mobile banking and when I do have to go to the actual bank, the customer service is fantastic.
I think Eastern Bank is a pretty popular local option too but no personal experience.
I would 100% avoid the bigger banks - Bank of America specifically!
pomegranate / 3032 posts
I use Citizens and I have never had any issues with them... I do mostly mobile or online banking but they are always super helpful and easy if i have to go into a branch. I like that I can have multiple checking accounts and because they are the "green" checking product there are no fees associated with the accounts. so my hubs and I each have our personal debit accounts, a joint debit/checking account, a savings account for LO and my car loan through them.
coconut / 8472 posts
@Truth Bombs: I work in security software and WF is one of our clients and when I heard the news I was like
pomelo / 5129 posts
If you have any family in the military, I highly recommend navy federal. They're mobile banking is top notch since they're used to people traveling/being deployed. We were able to email photos of signed documents when we were closing on our house and there wasn't a branch nearby
pomelo / 5298 posts
I love BOA for their online processing. I hate them and left them due to how inept their processes are surrounding fraud. We are with Chase now and I don't love their bill pay but they have many other positives
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