Local banks vs. larger banks

**hmcart** · 11-08-2008, 02:09 PM

Which do you prefer? We have been with the same bank for over 10 years and went this morning to open a new account at a more local bank. As soon as we can get all of our deposits and auto withdrawals moved over I am closing the other account. We banked with Union Planters and then they went through 2 mergers I believe and everything changed. The customer service is just not what it used to be and we lost our home branch with the merge. Our new bank has several branches in our region but still has that local connection as it is the only bank in our small town.

**Pianolady** · 11-08-2008, 03:36 PM

We're banking at a truly locally-owned bank, the only one left in our area. I like it a lot, they know me by name, and they don't make mistakes! We left our last bank because the tellers kept making errors inputting our deposit amounts. It was scary.

**jamie79** · 11-08-2008, 03:38 PM

Well since we are in the army we have a checking and savings at Bank of America mostly because they are supposed to be everywhere ( NOT Wisconsin) and it would be a real cluster to try to change our banking every time we move.
We also open a small savings acct at a local bank wherever we live so that if we need cash in an ememrgency it is there

**SandNOceanGirl** · 11-08-2008, 04:31 PM

We bank at a very local bank. There are only 3 branches. The customer service is great ~ all the bank employees are friendly and know who you are.

**Pemberleyan** · 11-09-2008, 08:42 AM

There is a lot to be said for using a local bank. I've been banking at mine for 31 years, since I was 15. Both of the women at the drive-through know me by name, as well as my parents. My only complaint is their online banking service is not great.

**rainbowgc** · 11-09-2008, 10:20 AM

I prefer local banks. At the larger ones the tellers are trained to be sales people to sell you on the banks products yuckie poo! Sales is being shoved down my throat everywhere listen up corporate America "I AM NOT BUYING"

**melodys** · 11-09-2008, 10:44 AM

I have a strong preferance for credit unions over banks. Although I just moved out of state recently and switching institutions is a pain.

**canadamom** · 11-09-2008, 10:50 AM

If you ever had banking issues and cannot get in a big bank try a small one.
They sometimes are more understand and will work with you to put a limit on your account to help you.

**shoiji** · 11-09-2008, 12:50 PM

Apparently my smaller bank was bought out. Imagine my surprise when I tried to view my account online and found a different name on the logo. Grant it I have been in a haze with the moving but it left me wondering about things. I really liked the smaller bank since their hours were basically open all the time. Just hope everything stays the same. Luckily I checked in time so no checks will bounce. Apparently I didn't keep as good of bookeeping in October as I usually do.

**monkeywrangler71** · 11-09-2008, 01:21 PM

Sorry, but I love my giant bank. I enjoy the convenience of walking into any of the 1500+ branches across the country and doing absolutely anything that I could do at home - in fact I actually live 1200kms from the branch where my account is held, I haven't been there in 8 years. I like being able to find an atm no matter where I am. Most of all, I love being able to do virtually anything online; transferring between my accounts, paying bills, sending wire transfers, making extra mortgage payments, buying stocks, mutual funds and GICs, opening accounts (both here and in the US), exchanging funds between CAD & USD. In fact other than depositing coin and visiting my sdb, I have zero reason to actually go into a bank - but when I do, I've never had any reason to complain about the service.

**spyzvixxen** · 11-09-2008, 01:48 PM

What she said!

I had a smaller bank with the ATM card but the problem was finding one when in another part of the state or even out of state and the fees they charged for the ATM were absurd.

**Miss Jessica** · 11-09-2008, 02:10 PM

I work in a local bank, so I'm a little prejudiced, lol.

However, when I was younger I had a very hard time with larger banks. They tend to not be very nice to a 15 year old opening her first account who doesn't have thousands of dollars.

The only association I have with a large bank at the moment is my student loans at HSBC. I find their customer service horrendous, and thus have a great relationship with their night deposit (plus our bank has longer hours, so it's difficult to get there when they're open).

I usually work the drive up window, and if you've been through a few times, chances are that I'll remember you, or at least try to!

**madhen** · 11-09-2008, 02:16 PM

I have two accounts, both at local credit unions. Most of the time, I use ATM or do my banking electronically, so having a branch near me is not really an issue. Most ATM's take my card without a fee, so no issue there either.

I used to have Wells Fargo, but my little credit union actually started up electronic bill pay before WF did, so I switched my account over.

I have gotten more personalized service (ie., when I applied for my HELOC, on the rare occasion that the bank screws something up, etc) at the credit union. I used to get better interest rates on my savings account, as well, but I haven't compared lately.

**DJ1972** · 11-09-2008, 02:19 PM

We bank at a locally owned bank. The only complaint I have is the atm fee if I have to use one out of town. But, that also makes me think twice about taking out extra money, so that's a good thing, lol.

**MysticEagle** · 11-09-2008, 02:22 PM

We use a local credit union. They have a really nice online system Although I don't use their bill pay because I make individual payments at each site.

Customer service is great. I just think having a local connection makes things easier.