Joint Checking?

kristan1022

Hey ladies-

FI and I are looking into getting joint checking and savings account so we can deposit $$ for joint expenses and write checks for things- car payment and other things that come up.

I'm looking at Ally, but I don't know anyone who has used them. FI prefers that they have a physical bank branch but I have no problem with an internet-only bank (my savings account is fully online through American Express).

Does anyone have any suggestions? Positive or negative feedback?

TIA!

courtski2004

My personal account is with BOA and our joint account is with Chase. Since I never go in to either branch, I have also thought about Ally but hadn't heard any reviews--good or bad. I am itching to bail on BOA, and would have for sure if they'd kept with the debit card charges they proposed. If you get an account with Ally I'd be interested to hear how you like it.

laurencste

Viewpoint!  When we joined they had a 3% interest payment on your checking account.  It may be 2% now, but that's still 2% more than anywhere else.  You also get to use all ATMs for free, and there's a few physical locations in the Dallas area.  I highly recommend!

angelsong21

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_joint-checking?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:e0b7c6d6-6041-4056-91f3-0bf592ca03edPost:34a42472-87b0-4977-ba0b-ecd6e87d6519">Re: Joint Checking?</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>Viewpoint!</strong>  When we joined they had a 3% interest payment on your checking account.  It may be 2% now, but that's still 2% more than anywhere else.  You also get to use all ATMs for free, and there's a few physical locations in the Dallas area.  I highly recommend!
Posted by laurencste[/QUOTE]

This is who we use as well.  My parents have banked there for decades.  I set up an account as a child and have been with them ever since.  Laurencste is talking about their Absolute Checking accounts.  I signed up for one when it was at 4%, but she is correct that it's at 2% now, which is still a heck of a lot better than anywhere else.  Here is the link:  <a href="http://www.viewpointbank.com/home/personal/checking/absolutechecking" rel="nofollow">CLICKY</a>.  I've always had great customer service and setting up accounts is a breeze.  We can electronically transfer things between our accounts online as well which is awesome.  Viewpoint is more in the northern part of the metroplex (Plano, especially) but there are a few branches and ATMs in the Dallas area but not sure about the FW area.  Honestly, I rarely have a need to go in to the branch and I very rarely have a need to withdraw money from the ATM.  Usually if I just need $40 or less I withdraw while I'm at Target/Walmart/etc and its free and convenient.

Everything on this checking account is essentially free.  Free checks, no minimimum balance to earn interest, no monthly service charges, no ATM fees on Viewpoint's end, etc.  Definitely check them out - they've always been great to us!

winechic25

If you have a local credit union youmcan join, that's the way I would go. They typically a,ways have lower fees than banks, higher depsit rate, and lower loan rates (Viewpoint used to be a credit union). All of my accounts are at credit unions, DH banked with E trade because they refund ALL ATM fees on both sides of the equations, So we now have half our accounts at cu's and half at E trade.

elidellio

I've used USAA for years and that's where FI and I plan to have our joint accounts once we're married. I've had nothing but good experience with them and I highly recommend them to everyone I know. You used to have to be in the military or have military parents to get an account but that's not the case anymore.

I do banking exclusively online and I've never had a problem with it. I can deposit form my computer or iPhone and their customer service is great if you ever have any problems. 

kristan1022

Thanks for your feedback ladies, I'll do some more research today and hopefully we can make a final decision this weekend!

ejheart

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_joint-checking?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:e0b7c6d6-6041-4056-91f3-0bf592ca03edPost:923bfb76-debd-43f9-8f0e-bed03785004e">Re: Joint Checking?</a>:
[QUOTE]I have had wellsfargo for 5 years now. FI has this too and our joint is also here. We love the fact that transferring money is really such a breeze. It is instant and easy to keep track of. We have never had an issue and customer service has always been great. We both travel often for our jobs (both domestic and foreign) and have never had issues using cards while travelling.  I have had both chase and boa before and have had negative experiences with both banks. I still have a boa account but it's just for an "emergency" fund so my dad can deposit money in Abilene if anything were to ever happen.
Posted by aeliza06[/QUOTE]

We also both use Wells Fargo and love the easy transfers but FYI, I recently got a message from them stating that they will soon start charging for "some" types of transfers and "some" may also not be instant. That's about as specific as it got (as far as I remember) but I'm going to be really disappointed if that happens. It did state that you would be warned of the changes when completing a tranfer (once they are finalized).

Another thing that annoyed me about them was that when I first signed up both FI and I were supposed to get a kickback for his "referral" and never did. I think it was only $25 or $50 a piece, so I never bothered calling about it but it just bothered me that they wouldn't follow through on their incentive to sign up.

We've never had any big issues with them though. :)

slaketahoebride

I had a Washington Mutual account which was taken over by Chase, and Chase has been awesome.

I have a bad habit of not balancing my checkbook, and when I realize I'm about to overdraw, I'll run to the branch and make a deposit. With WAMU, they used to put my purchases through first so they could charge me overdraft fees, but Chase always puts your deposits through first.. even if your charges have been pending for a day or two.

They've saved my butt a few times!

ShadowCutter

I have Chase, DF has BOA, and we just got a joint account at BOA. I have no experience with anyone but Chase, and the one problem I have with them is they charge a $6 monthly fee unless you either have direct deposit or use your debit card at least five times every month. I think boa has the same thing though. But boa charges a fee for using tellers iirc, vs no fee for ATM or online, so having a branch isn't that important except as a place to find an ATM (or it wouldn't be if we didn't also have a safe deposit box).