Jersey Girl

I currently bank with Bank of America, but am pretty sure I will be switching banks since they are "phasing out" my particular type of checking account (translation: new fees coming for me). I have been happy with Bank of America and have a bunch of auto deposits and withdrawals set up with my account; but, I don't like the monthly fee idea at all. (It's a principle thing for me.)

So, I started looking at other options and online banking might seem like the way to go. Do any of you guys do online checking? If so, how do you like it? What are the pros and cons? And how do I deposit cash or live checks into an online checking account?

Any info you have would be appreciated. Thanks!

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"'Ohana' means family. Family means nobody gets left behind. Or forgotten." EVER.

Russ Smith

I do almost everything online with my Wells Fargo. It's crazy but I still deposit checks the old fashioned way in the bank. I don't trust the ATM for deposits yet trust online banking, stupid I know but that's me.

I do like it you can set things up to pay days in advance so you don't have to remember to mail something. You just have to remember that with online banking they deduct it from your account before the payee gets it. When you write a check to ABC it's not out of your account until ABC deposits it. Online it's out of your account on the day it settles, before ABC gets it and deposits it. People forget this and get overdrawn.

I also love the ability to do transfers online, my dad has WF too so when I was repaying some money to him I just did online transfers.

I love it. WF is changing though I get mine for free by having direct deposit and having a monthly transfer from checking to savings, I'm not sure if they still offer that for free to new customers though.

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“Your expectations always exceed outside expectations. I feel like you just can’t stop working, can’t stop getting better, because I’ll be a failure in my eyes before I’m a failure in someone else’s eyes.” -- Arron Afflalo

DeAnna

Have never tried it - makes me nervous.

I don't even do auto bill payments. Chase has managed to screw up my account on ocassion (just 2x) and that's without doing online bill payments.

I still prefer to keep track and manage my own accounts via Quicken and just use that register w/printed checks.

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AZ Cards 2013: Where Old Geezer Coaches Come to Retire.

Jersey Girl

Thanks, guys. I guess my main concern is how do I even deposit checks? Do I still do that at an ATM? I deposit cash and checks all the time at my B of A ATM with no problems. And I do a lot of auto payments and transfers already to other accounts. I love it.

__________________
"'Ohana' means family. Family means nobody gets left behind. Or forgotten." EVER.

Russ Smith

I think the only more automated way to deposit checks is using smart phones now but I don't know if all banks do it. I know chase does i see the ads on tv.

Paychecks are all direct deposit for me, if I get another check I go into the bank to deposit I don't know of a way to do that online.

__________________
“Your expectations always exceed outside expectations. I feel like you just can’t stop working, can’t stop getting better, because I’ll be a failure in my eyes before I’m a failure in someone else’s eyes.” -- Arron Afflalo

kps0001

I know Charles Schwab offers the ability to deposit just by snapping a photo of the check. Well at least according to their commercials. I know nothing else about their checking accounts online. Sorry.

Gaddabout

I have two savings accounts with Wells Fargo and just got hit with a $10 monthly fee on both of them out of nowhere. I called them and they said it's just the cost of the account. I'm livid. $20 for saving money in their bank? BS.

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Before I saw him, I could figure things out. He was the first guy I saw close-up and just didn't get what he was doing. Josh Freese on Vinnie Colaiuta

Mulli

Chase has check depositing capabilities at ATM's and with smart phones.

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thirty-two

USAA banking is now available to everyone, instead of just the military. I deposit checks via my printer/scanner. Quick and easy - and no stupid monthly fees!

You can depost money via UPS stores, I believe.

Only hassle is when you lose your debit card (like I did this week) and have to wait 2 days to get a new one. Can't get any cash out of an ATM cuz I don't have a card or a branch to go to! But obviously not everyone loses their card all the time

Oh that reminds me, they also reimburse ATM fees (up to 15.00 per statement, I believe).

I am also able to do online transfers/bill pay with them, but I choose to pay my bills manually online as opposed to bill pay.

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Russ Smith

yeah if they ever start charging me I'll just close the account and go somewhere else.

I have a credit union account with 7.33 in it. The only reason I keep it open is if I get fed up with Banks I can get free checking et al there.

__________________
“Your expectations always exceed outside expectations. I feel like you just can’t stop working, can’t stop getting better, because I’ll be a failure in my eyes before I’m a failure in someone else’s eyes.” -- Arron Afflalo

DeAnna

unfortunately, everyone is charging. Unless you keep a "minimum combined balance."

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AZ Cards 2013: Where Old Geezer Coaches Come to Retire.

Tyler

You can also keep your WF accounts free by setting up a monthly transfer. 50-150 depending on the account.

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Jersey Girl

That's how I feel, especially after the whole bailout thing.

__________________
"'Ohana' means family. Family means nobody gets left behind. Or forgotten." EVER.

Jersey Girl

I was looking at them. I like that I can deposit checks via scanner. So, what do you do? Scan and email the check? How long does it take to post to the account?

I rarely to never just go to an ATM and take out money. I use my card pretty much everywhere and, when I do need cash, I usually just go to the Circle K, grab a soda or some gum and take out extra.

So, Kate, can I set up my account to transfer money to people with bank accounts at other places? For instance, I sometimes transfer money to my sis or my parents, but we all have B of A accounts. Can I transfer from USAA to a B of A account? Also, how do you pay a bill if you have to mail a check?

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"'Ohana' means family. Family means nobody gets left behind. Or forgotten." EVER.

thirty-two

Basically, you just scan both sides of the check and that's it. Takes all of 2 minutes. It posts immediately.

Yes, you can transfer money to other people, just need their banking info. I have all of my other accounts set up so I can transfer money to it when need be. Back in the day, my mom and I also had it where we could transfer money to each other. Even if I were to take money from a non-USAA account TO my USAA account, the money would be made available immediately.

I honestly love them. Their website is very easy to use as well.

Not sure what you mean by "how do you pay a bill if you have to mail a check" Sorry

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Rest in peace, Skkorp. We'll never forget you.