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Chastened - Chase chasing me away!

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Started 2 years ago by Mondoman
Latest reply from GAM

Mondoman

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Well, Chase mailed me info informing me that my ex-WaMu "free checking for life" account will now cost me $10 or more per month! Obviously, I'm not going to pay that, so some questions for you all:
1) Any local financial institutions that you like that have free checking (BECU is one I'll be looking at, but I've heard Wells Fargo may still have free checking)?
2) Any chance that Chase can be made to honor WaMu's promise of free checking "for life"?

Posted 2 years ago #
boatgeek

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1) We switched to BECU in the middle of the re-branding and never looked back. Check other credit unions, though.

2) Prolly not. Chase bought all the good stuff and those ads usually have a "terms subject to change at any time" statement in the fine print.

It's like Chase doesn't want customers. Even their ad campaign was weird.

Posted 2 years ago #
maitland

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I have free checking with Wells Fargo. The only requirement is that you have at least one automatic deposit made each month.

Posted 2 years ago #
Mondoman

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Ain't got no stinkin' automatic deposits :) so I'm looking for really free.

Posted 2 years ago #
Pokerguy

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We got the same one but luckily have direct deposit so we "qualify"

Posted 2 years ago #
Apple

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Even if you could, why would you want to force Chase to honor the WAMU pledge? Seems like they have pretty clearly indicated they have little concern for you as a customer. Even if your forced them to honor the free checking, they would just change something else to make money off you.

Posted 2 years ago #
maitland

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Mondo, it will also count if you just schedule an automatic transfer from your savings to checking once a month. For awhile when I didn't have any direct deposits, I just arranged to transfer $25 every month. I know it's not "free" free, but the closest I could find at the time.

Posted 2 years ago #
Mondoman

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Apple, sometimes I'm just ornery!
m - interesting idea! Right now, my Chase checking is just a minor account I use for Paypal and internet stuff, so it should be pretty easy for me to move it somewhere else, but I'll think about that.
PS - looking at the Chase booklet, there's a minimum amount on the automatic transfer - at least one per month must be $500, so maybe they caught on to the tiny-transfer scheme...

Posted 2 years ago #
merlette

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What about Washington Employees Credit Union? I left Chase for School Employees Credit Union and I wish I had joined one sooner. it's lovely.

Posted 2 years ago #
gordy

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Check with Carmen or Connie at Union Bank at 56th and 15th. I think they have free checking. They are not open on Saturdays.

Posted 2 years ago #
Dweezil

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If you keep a minimum balance of $750, checking is free at BOA.

Posted 2 years ago #
pennygirl

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BOA is the Devil.

Posted 2 years ago #
mghart

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I like the Ballard branch of US Bank for other things, but I don't have a checking account there. Anyone?

Posted 2 years ago #
Dweezil

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The devil??? Doh! I guess I sold my soul for free-checking. Man, that devil got ripped off!

Posted 2 years ago #
pennygirl

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That very Devil is probably ripping you off right back :-)

Posted 2 years ago #
RichY

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Go to a credit union - no or low fees, I have been with Seattle-Telco (now Watermark) for over 30 years and love it.

Posted 2 years ago #
wolfden

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BOA is the Devil.

Truth ^. I deal with either First Tech or Alaska USA Federal Credit Union. If you want to be treated as a person and not as another account number, credit unions = way to go imo.

Posted 2 years ago #
GTS206

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I think asking them to honor the promise made by a company that didn't honor it's promises to stock holders won't happen.

Check in with someone at the branch, you may just be in the wrong account. Based on the type of activity you have they can probably find another account that works better for you then you don't have to go throught the hassel of changing automatic withdrawals like Netflicks and ordering new checks etc.

Posted 2 years ago #
Jonathan Pryce

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Ditto the previous poster. Have been a member of the Washington State Employees CU (WSECU) since '83. Nowadays you just need to be a state resident to join. Fine with me, we are stronger together! Highly recommend.

Posted 2 years ago #
volvoguy

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Other threads on this forum suggest that Wells Fargo is a less preferred place to put your money. I've been with Washington State Employees Credit Union for many years, and I've always been happy with my checking account with them. However, the closest office is in the U-district - an easy ride on the 44 bus, or walk if you want exercise.

Posted 2 years ago #
pennygirl

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I think we should come to a consensus that wherever they are in the world...banks suck.

I'm off to research Credit Unions :-)

Posted 2 years ago #
Jonathan Pryce

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Or bike, VolvoGuy. Of course, nowadaze, it's less of an issue with electronic banking, ATMs, automatic deposit, etc. Last month, I received a paper check as a reimbursement. Gad, what do I do? Called the CU and discovered I could deposit it at the B'lrd BECU to my WSECU account--you just type in some info, slide the check in, no envelope! An image of the check appears on screen and on a printed receipt. Very cool.

Far cry from banking as I remember it when I was a teen and young adult! Recall one of my earlier bike tours of the state and calling on the bank first to purchase travelers' cheques . . .

Posted 2 years ago #
malia

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Another strong supporter of Credit Unions here!
There are a number from which to choose, and with all the electronic banking, it seems most pleasant to choose one you actually like, as you can make deposits at many of them.
the ethic behind Credit Unions is not all focused on profit for a few upper management/investors. Makes sense to me.
With so many Credit Unions available to us, we have absolutely no reason to put up with maltreatment by Chase and other megabanks.

Posted 2 years ago #
BallardTrees

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Another "vote" for the Washington State Employees Credit Union, which I have belonged to for decades. (For what its worth, I would consider keeping money only at a credit union, never a bank.) Good luck!

Posted 2 years ago #
Mondoman

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Thanks for the excellent suggestions! Looks like I'll be "checking" out WSECU and BECU first.

Posted 2 years ago #
plasticbags

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Some of the credit unions pay dividends on their checking accounts. It's a good way to compare them because other than that, they all seem pretty equal. You can deposit checks/take out cash in any of the other credit union's ATMs so proximity doesn't have to be a factor. I'm with SMCU and I love them but it appears BECU has better rates right now.

Posted 2 years ago #
BriarRose

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Chase gives me free everything since I have a large balance in my checking and also have other accounts and investments with them but I STILL loathe the place. I loathed WAMU also and was close to closing my accounts then the bank crash occurred and I have never gotten around to it. BECU is paying less interest than Chase is currently giving me which I find odd since they are supposedly nonprofit. Neither rate of course worth the paper it is printed on. Since they have no real in person banking to offer and save a great deal in overhead I would think they might be able to come up with another percentage at least. Someone is getting rich here I think and it isn’t me.

Posted 2 years ago #
phoo

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FWIW, I bailed on Wells Fargo after they took over my old bank, 1st Interstate. The first thing they did was jack up the minimum required amt you needed in savings to not be charged.

Posted 2 years ago #
nwcitizen

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Chase was a huge beneficiary of the bank bailout as was BofA and Wells Fargo. They were part of the credit default swap/sub-prime mortgage insanity and are rewarding their executives with our tax dollars. Why would you want to continue to support that kind of behavior? Just curious.

My suggestion is to keep your money circulating in the local economy. A local credit union sounds like a good choice. Credit unions by and large did not participate in the Wall Street ponzi scheme that has cost us so dearly. There are also some solid local/regional banks like Washington Federal and People's.

To check out the financial status of a bank, go to www.bankrate.com. Click on Quick links: Bank ratings in the upper right corner of the screen. Do a search for Bank/Thrift or Credit Union, Star Rating of 3 or more, Headquartered in Washington State. You will get a list of institutions to choose from.

Posted 2 years ago #
VeganBiker

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mondoman - FWIW I have used a credit union since 1979. I worked for Metro and used the Metro Credit union that became Qualstar and I still use them, I get my PERS check and SS check deposited every month and also my wife has the BECU account that we use. Big banks, IMHO contribute to our financial demise so I would recommend a local credit union.

Posted 2 years ago #
GAM

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I love BECU. My fear that I wouldn't survive without the BofA ATM network was never borne out. I'm not crazy about putting cash loose in an ATM to deposit (what happens if the machine screws up?), but I can work around that easily enough. I LOVE scanning my checks at home and depositing them online. Sweet!

Washington Federal has better rates for Money Markets and CDs, so I use them for those. These days, of course, none of the rates are high. That's not their fault. I just sniff out the best I can get.

Both places have great service, are local, etc.

Has anyone used any of the online only banks? Their rates are the best by far, but I hate the idea of not having someone I can see if I need that. I'd love to hear anyone's experiences with them.

Posted 2 years ago #
wolfden

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I LOVE scanning my checks at home and depositing them online

Ho..ho..ho..holy crap. Didn't know BECU allowed that. I had decent experience with ING Direct as far as "online" banks go. No longer use my Orange account.

Posted 2 years ago #
Mondoman

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Forgot to mention that another annoyance with Chase was that the photo your check to deposit it on your Android phone didn't actually work (at least on my Evo).
Anyway, closed my Chase and hoofed it over to BECU, waited 30 minutes for all the other Chase refugees ahead of me to finish joining, then signed up. The gentlemen there (Michael IIRC) was very nice and helpful, and it looks like ATMs even in Florida won't be a problem due to their agreements. I'm looking forward to scanning my first checks for deposit into BECU online!

Posted 2 years ago #
lakreitz

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BECU - I've had an account with them for years and have always been happy with fees (or lack thereof) and services. The neighborhood 'branches' are weird to me as they don't handle cash at all. I made the mistake once of putting a check in the 'express deposit' box and it took three days to appear in my account.

Union Bank (formerly Frontier). The Ballard branch is next to the Ballard Mkt. I have an account here also. The staff is great, polite and they remember my name though I go in just once or twice a month. They have a no fee checking, ($100 min to open). I am not sure if they have the option to make deposits on line yet.

Posted 2 years ago #
booboo

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+1 on Watermark Credit Union (been a happy member of the downtown branch for many years) and

+1 on BECU too... we don't keep much money there or do many transactions but it does have a Ballard location, if that's a must-have for anyone.

Posted 2 years ago #
gracie

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Wells Fargo has had so many complaints. I withdrew from them years ago. And I also had to contact the head CEO to tell them to quit harassing me at work. I had a very, very small loan with them & they kept bugging me to get a higher one. Repeatedly told them #1 - not supposed to get personal calls at work (not really true but at point they were driving me insane) #2 I don't want more money. What part don't you understand? It took many, many, many calls to get it cancelled.
I have U.S. bank and am totally happy with them.

Posted 2 years ago #
zengrey

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I bank at Sterling Savings in Ballard. Free checking, super nice people to bank with. I highly recommend them.

Posted 2 years ago #
stopgo

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Briar: Chase gives me free everything since I have a large balance in my checking.

Me too post. I've got so much money in my Chase account, they don't even make me stand in line.

Posted 2 years ago #
phoo

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After Wamu did something to piss me off, I went and joined BECU. However, we have quite a system set up with Chase involving multiple free checking accounts so the Other Half didn't want to move everything over. After sharing with him this morning that each of those accounts (minus the one that gets the deposit) will cost $10 now, his immediate response was "let's get it all into BECU."

My guess is they are nicer to the rich folks who don't so much mind being robbed blind and no doubt are offered a sweeter deal.

Posted 2 years ago #
Barney Rubble

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I have been in the process of switching over to BECU, not sure if I will finish the process. So far I think am getting a better deal at BofA. I get free checks, free safe deposit box and interest on my checking and savings. Been with them for almost 20 years and haven't ever once felt like I was getting ripped off. My only motivation for switching at this point is purely political.

Posted 2 years ago #
GTS206

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And Chase is sponsoring the Picasso exhibit which is GREAT!

Posted 2 years ago #
GAM

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GTS206: I'll bet there's more to it, considering Chase has pretty much pulled the funding rug out from under SAM.

As I recall, Chase pulled out of the building, leaving SAM without a tenant (income), and wasn't interested in negotiating. My guess is Chase threw in just enough money to get named a sponsor and save some face.

Posted 2 years ago #