<p>Well, using a physical bank is usually not neccessary, but I liked to have the option of having a physical bank to go to. And I did occasionally get checks, my grandmother sometimes sent me a check for my birthday, or my parents would. When I worked on campus my pay was direct deposited, but when I worked off campus I got pay checks that I had to take to the bank. When I interned it was useful because I again, would get my stipend in regular checks that needed depositing, or I would babysit to make extra money and the familie sometimes paid me in checks vs. cash. </p>
<p>So while you don’t always need it, I think it’s good to preserve the option.</p>
Bingo. As S&P says, having the option to go in person is nice.</p>
<p>As for BoA, they have routinely had the worst customer service and some of the scummiest practices vis a vis the consumer of any major bank I know. Our joint account is at US Bank, which gobbled up a wonderful small local bank, and our mortgage is with Wells Fargo and D is now with Citibank…a useful holdover from when she was in Europe.</p>
<p>[No longer of currency, but students at UC Santa Barbara burned the local BofA branch the year before I got there. Okay, it was an anti-war protest but their attitude towards students helped make them a target. ]</p>
<p>Sorry, not to be like, rude, or anything. But good luck finding a non-ghetto bank if you’re gonna look small/local. Yeah crappy customer service sucks, but let’s be real, it’s just a part of the game, IMO.</p>
<p>Clearly kiterunner you do not have a lot of experience banking with local banks or credit unions. There’s nothing “ghetto” about using a small/local bank. There is something gauche about using ghetto as an adjective.</p>
<p>Kiterunner, I have to confess I don’t know what you mean when you talk about a non-ghetto bank, but the officer at Easthampton Bank was very courteous, apologetic and thorough when we went there to straighten out some problems my daughter was having with her account. We live in a small town in central Massachusetts and we have banked for nearly twenty years at a local bank that has several successful branches in the area. This same bank contributes in various ways to the local communities, supporting a regional professional orchestra, the regional hospital, etc. When I walk into our bank, I know I can talk to an officer who remembers us when we first started our accounts. We are on a first-name basis. When I have a problem, I like to talk to a real live person who can solve my problem. If BofA works for you, choose them.</p>
<p>@S&P - Chill. I didn’t say people who used small banks were ghetto. Just that some small banks can be ghetto. At least I’m not an elitist who calls people out on CC? Why does my adjective usage matter to you? </p>
<p>@CarolynB - that’s cool if small banks work for you. The OP simply asked for some opinions, and, IMHO, smaller banks aren’t worth it.</p>
<p>Kiterunner, could you please explain what you mean by your use of the word “ghetto”? It has pretty powerful negative connotations and I’d really like to understand what you mean.</p>
<p>Sorry for ****ing everybody off with my use of ghetto. What I meant by that was busted or whack. I didn’t mean to offend. I get the feeling that I’ve been the closest to the actual definition of ghetto in comparison to anybody here. So, I’m still gonna say I wasn’t being elitist. Unlike other people who try to judge social grace on an internet forum. Kthx.</p>
<p>Well, it’s not so much the language I object to (using ghetto I guess is fine if that’s what you want to say, though I think it’s interesting how you launch right into making assumptions about the class of other people on the board), but I take issue with the sentiment. You shouldn’t make huge sweeping generalized statements about small banks (not to mention untrue statements) especially when you’re just 18 and honestly not that experienced with banking period. Lots of people are very attached to their small banks (I was before I had to switch to BofA) and there are lots of good, thoughtful, important reasons why people choose small banks and stick with them and why we should support them in the era of the bank conglomerate. And I think you should think about those things before you make brassy statements like “Small banks are ghetto”.</p>
<p>Anyway, it’s not really worth getting into a big argument about so I withdraw.</p>
<p>If you decided to “withdraw,” why the heck did you just write an entire paragraph in response to the problems you had with my statement? I call BS. So, just for kicks, I’ll reply.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I didn’t make a “huge, sweeping generalization.” I said “good look finding a non-ghetto bank.” I didn’t say “small banks are ghetto.” In my second post, I even said “some small banks can be ghetto.” Never did I say all. Don’t misquote me. Thanks.</p></li>
<li><p>Who’s the one making a sweeping generalization in calling me an 18 year old without having experience with banking period? Hmm? Hypocrite much? Furthermore, S&P, I actually DO have experience with banking. I’ve had my OWN checking and savings account for quite some time, along with work experience. So don’t chalk me up to “just 18.”</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Don’t mess with fire unless you want to get burned. Especially when you bring BS arguments into the picture.</p>
<p>It’s amazing how passionate people can get about banks. I think college students have different banking needs from rooted-in-place old-timers like me. When you’re a college student, maybe from out of state, and have JanPlans, JYAs, and summer internships to plan for, you’re leading a migratory existence. In that case it can be useful to keep your money in an international bank like BoA, because they’re everywhere you might be. Later in life, when/if you are more settled, it may be better to keep your money in a local bank where you can be a face instead of just an account number.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for their opinions! While I’m very wary of the complaints about Bank of America and object to many of their practices, my parents and I have ultimately decided that, for the time being, it’s my best option for precisely the reasons randomcoolzip outlined. </p>
<p>I can never get over how helpful the Smith forum is. I have to say it every time. :)</p>
<p>phanatic - I think that’s a good choice. I’ve personally been a more or less happy Bank of America customer since my first year, and it’s been good for my migratory lifestyle. Though I still keep an account at my little, lovely hometown credit union because, well, you never know. Plus credit unions give their members great rates on loans, which could come in handy some day. Plus you know they’ll stand by you, even in case of “fire”.</p>
<p>phanatic be sure to ask for the college account at BOA - it has better and different rules regarding charges etc for someone your age and hopefully will still have free checking since BOA is talking about doing away with it for some of there less active smaller checking accounts.</p>
<p>Wow, reading through this it seems like everyone has gotten pretty heated up over a discussion about banks, I’m an Econ major though so I’m used to it ;).</p>
<p>Just my two cents for anyone thinking about going abroad: In my opinion, it’s probably better to bank with BOA if you’re thinking about going overseas. BOA will have agreements with banks in different countries which will cause you to not incur ATM charges when in foreign countries. My family always banks with large banks instead of local ones since we travel quite extensively, so it’s important to have a bank with international support.</p>
<p>I haven’t ever had a problem with my BOA account, though I should probably add that my checking and savings account is connected to my parent’s account, since it saves me from paying fees. The online banking feature has also turned boa.com into one of my most frequented sites lol.</p>
</p>