If you've been to a shopping mall lately, you've probably discovered two different banks within a few feet of each other. Go inside the food store in that shopping plaza and you'll see yet another one, just waiting to offer their services to you. Now drive down the road a few blocks and you'll probably see yet another bank on the corner. With all the banks to choose from these days, it can be too much. How do you know who is reputable and what will serve your purposes?
It's actually very simple. Make a list of what you want from a bank and choose only two or three of the ones you've heard good things about. Banks are often places that your friends and families will have strong opinions about- so listen to them. If they rave about one and rant about another, you will know where to stay away from. Make sure to take their advice with a grain of salt though, so you don't sign up right away. First, you need to find out all that they offer so you can make an informed decision.
Enrolling with a bank may not seem like a big decision, but it is. Think about it, changing banks is not something people want to do often. And it's not something that is particularly easy or fun to do. You'll want to start with a good bank and stay with them for many years - if not for the rest of your life. You'll probably be using a debit card, credit card, loan and various other services with your bank, so choose wisely.
Inquire from the banks you're choosing between if they offer free checking, what their policy on over-drafting is, how they handle lost/stolen cards, what happens if you have unauthorized charges appear and so on. Talk to them about saving/checking accounts and the fees they charge. Get lots of information to take home with you so you can read it throroghly.
Many will have pamphlets to give you, so take all the ones that interest you. You will also want to find out how many locations they have and where all their ATM's are. Convenience is key with banks since you won't want to have to drive all over town to withdraw cash or deposit checks. If you're considering a start-up bank that doesn't have too many locations yet- make sure you won't be traveling around much just because you won't have access to a bank.
The best thing you can do when choosing between banks is to get all the information you possibly can and then decide which one to go with. This way you'll get the best deals and you'll know what to expect and not expect from your banking institution.
The author has been in the banking industry for 30 years. Her purpose is to help people to manage their money with ease and peace of mind.
Carol Sue Blanchard is passionate about banks and is the webmaster of FEN Banks
**If it's Spam, it's a Scam!- If it sounds too... Read More
The first step to financial success lies in knowing your... Read More
The lists of bank and savings accounts that are available... Read More
Now there are ways to save money in the grocery... Read More
Do you have a 401(k) retirement account? Are you vested... Read More
Women have a love/hate relationship with money. Most of us... Read More
You have probably accomplished a great deal with your life.... Read More
Good money management needn't be difficult. In fact, there a... Read More
Car donations and used car donations are the way many... Read More
It's the little things in life that make it interesting.... Read More
Vacations Made Easy: Buying a Florida Investment PropertyA relaxing beach... Read More
What is it about being frugal, why do it at... Read More
The Prudential has dubbed those who refuse to leave home... Read More
On the other hand, there are those people who are... Read More
Investing is a subject a lot of people don't want... Read More
Before buying personal or business checks you should inform yourself... Read More
With almost two thirds of university entrants from England and... Read More
While 40% to 50% of us make New Year's resolutions... Read More
Saving may seem easier if you were saving for a... Read More
At a time when the entire world's attention is focused... Read More
It is estimated that we, as consumers, waste an average... Read More
Creating a budget can be a very difficult task. Although... Read More
Women are charged more for dry cleaning services. Don't fume,... Read More
Are you having problems with debt? Are you afraid to... Read More
I have to admit, I do it too. I complain.... Read More
Did you know that 43% of all married couples argue... Read More
Have you ever thought about what you are going to... Read More
It is crucial as an individual who is striving for... Read More
Frugal living is more than a lifestyle. It's a passion.... Read More
Address labels are many things to many different people. If... Read More
If You Have an Existing Account and 5 Minutes, You... Read More
Would you know what to do if you suspect that... Read More
The gas that we fill our tanks with every week... Read More
It is widely written that you need 75% of your... Read More
What is finance and what do you need to know?... Read More
With the advent of the internet and especially auction services... Read More
1. If you have your haircut every 3 weeks, try... Read More
Your boss has just informed you that your department is... Read More
We have heard a lot about consumers' personal information getting... Read More
Today many women are struggling with debt and it's even... Read More
Future financial success is not a guarantee that any one... Read More
Are you interested in saving money off your grocery bills?... Read More
Debt levels are at an all time high in the... Read More
Of course, these don't have to be done in any... Read More
Sorting out your personal finances can be a tricky and... Read More
There is a new bill that is being passes, it... Read More
I've been going through and interesting growth period lately that... Read More
Address labels are many things to many different people. If... Read More
As the saying goes: "Buyer Beware". If you see ads... Read More
Most of us, especially those of us who have debtor's... Read More
Budgeting. It's a word we're all familiar with. Everyone knows... Read More
The cries are heard from the distance, "I need help... Read More
Many people spend their little income haphazardly without any planning... Read More
Reducing the clothing budget was a serious challenge for me.... Read More
Have you ever thought about what you are going to... Read More
Traditional checks probably won't disappear anytime soon, but processing checks... Read More
Between 15 - 20% of people in our country (UK)... Read More
It is crucial as an individual who is striving for... Read More
Frugal living is more than a lifestyle. It's a passion.... Read More
Does it feel like you have to be Sherlock Holmes... Read More
Developing and living by a household budget is by far... Read More
With the A-level results coming out, the long wait for... Read More
Creating a budget can be a very difficult task. Although... Read More
1. Don't focus on your finances.The reason most people get... Read More
If you want money you need to learn how to... Read More
If You Have an Existing Account and 5 Minutes, You... Read More
Personal Finance |