<p>I know this was stated in a past thread, but what is overall the best bank? Which one requires no minimum money to start an account? Which one is the most convenient? I know Columbia has a thing with Citibank, but is that the best choice?</p>
<p>commerce is awesome. no minimum balance. get a student acct. and you get atm withdrawals at Columbia's on campus citibank atms for free. very convenient. Commerce is only a few blocks down at 110th/Broadway.</p>
<p>I'm with ****tybank right now; they began secretly imposing fees on my checking account, reneging on my initial deal. </p>
<p>I've also heard Commerce is good. The other banks in the neighborhood are Chase, Washington Mutual, Bank of America, and Banco Popular.</p>
<p>Nothing else on the other 4 Banks...Chase, Washington Mutual, Bank of America, and Banco Popular?</p>
<p>Citibank is convenient but then they started to add fees to my account. Citibank sent info over the summer prior to orientation to open a checking account via mail. This was a big mess. I never got my account. Then when I got to school I tried to open an account at the local branch and it was a big hassle because all the other students in the neighborhood are at the bank. It took several hours. I would suggest to open an account at your local bank wherever you live. As long as there is the same bank near campus you can use your ATM.</p>
<p>Eh, yes, but for an ATM fee each time (unless they have some special arrangement).</p>
<p>Lakeside: since I don't use the other banks, I can't tell you much else. Chase and Citibank have the most ATMs in the area; there are at least two or three Citibank ATMs on Columbia's campus, and at least one or two at Barnard, plus the big branch on 111th and Broadway. Chase has a branch at 109th and Broadway, a separate indoor ATM at 113th and Broadway, and an ATM inside Duane Reade pharmacy. Banco Popular, Washington Mutual, and Bank of America each have one branch/ATM area in the neighborhood, with Bank of America being the furthest away.</p>
<p>columbia2007, could you be more specific about the hidden charges? i know that there is a $3/month fee if your balance is under $1500- is there anything other than that? i'm deciding between citibank and washington mutual (there is a wm in oregon, but no citibank, which is why i'm considering it)</p>
<p>you can also get around the citibank fee by having direct deposit of your paycheck (of your work-study job most probably)</p>
<p>Chase and Citibank also have the most ATMs in New York City in general though chase is far ahead since they put an ATM in every Duane Reade...and in NYC, there is a Duane Reade practically every block. Not sure what kind of fees they charge though. Best advice is to shop around...you have many options but just be sure u pick a bank that doesnt charge a fee and that you can get money from conveniently and for free.</p>
<p>e<em>in</em>nyc, when I first signed up for a student Citibank account I was promised no fees. Lately I've been noticing a monthly fee (I forget the specific amount but it's $10+). I always resolve to complain but have yet to do so...I plan to move away from Citibank after college anyway when their ATMs are no longer slightly more convenient than others'.</p>
<p>why r u wasting 10 bucks a month for no reason?? you should simply walk in there and tell them you will take your business elsewhere if they dont stop charging you....there is no shortage of banks in the area.</p>
<p>Do you have a Citibank account Shraf? Did they pull this on you too?</p>
<p>I really have been meaning to deal with it, but laziness and forgetfulness always gets the better of me.</p>
<p>
[quote]
e<em>in</em>nyc, when I first signed up for a student Citibank account I was promised no fees. Lately I've been noticing a monthly fee (I forget the specific amount but it's $10+).
[/quote]
</p>
<p>You realize do realize that $10/month in fees when you have a <$1500 balance means you're losing 10% of your money every year?</p>
<p>
[quote]
you should simply walk in there and tell them you will take your business elsewhere if they dont stop charging you....there is no shortage of banks in the area.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Um, if the fee is correct, he should just close the account. It'll take 10 minutes over the phone.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Do you have a Citibank account Shraf? Did they pull this on you too?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>i have had a citibank account since freshman year and they have never imposed a fee on me....i have always kept my balance over $1500 though and have had direct deposit since freshman yr...though nowadays i dont get paid every month.</p>
<p>anyone had experience with Commerce? I'm leaning to Commerce to aviod these phantom fees, but it seems like such a small bank ready to be be eaten up by Chase or Citi...(where I'll pay phantom fees anyway)</p>
<p>
[quote]
it seems like such a small bank ready to be be eaten up by Chase or Citi.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Then you can close your account if it gets eaten up and you don't like the new bank. Not a big deal.</p>
<p>Cherry Coke, I love Commerce, great idea. The only problem is where do you get the atm's for free idea? I asked for the student account but the just gave me a regular checking account...</p>