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We have Wells Fargo right now and we'd like to switch to a different bank. Despite direct deposit and high balance in check and savings, WF still charges $6.00 for online banking service. They nickel and dime a lot of services. Back in CA, we can't even call the local branch, it goes to a call center rep after getting past a long automated phone system.
I quickly looked over SunTrust and BB&T bank fee schedules. Looks like they offer free checking and online banking with direct deposit.
Does anyone feel strongly about one or the other in terms of customer service in-person or over the phone? Do you get connected to the local office when you call their phone #?
Do they "nickel and dime" for their services as well?
Any input - good or bad - on either bank would be appreciated. We tend to stay with good banks for many, many years if they have good customer service and don't charge for basic services.
Suntrust pissed off alot of locals when the took over CCB, which was a great bank IMO. I left them then. I like BB&T because they are a 'local' bank and have more than a couple locations.... I try to stick local when banking and shopping...
Suntrust pissed off alot of locals when the took over CCB, which was a great bank IMO. I left them then. I like BB&T because they are a 'local' bank and have more than a couple locations.... I try to stick local when banking and shopping...
We stayed with Suntrust after they took over our CCB account. I've been pleased with Suntrust- whatever account we have we are grandfathered into - everything is free, including checks. If I need phone help, I just call the local bank branch. For me it's all about having ATMs near the places I most frequent, and Suntrust fit the bill there. We've had no issues.
Location: Chapel Hill, NC, formerly NoVA and Phila
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I've been with Suntrust for many years (I was part of a DC bank that got taken over by SunTrust). I am pretty pleased with them. I don't feel nickel and dimed. I only have a checking account. At one point I got interest on it and didn't need a minimum balance because I had direct deposit into it. Now I don't have direct deposit, and I need to keep $500 in it or I will get charged. And there is no interest. Other than that, I haven't had random fees.
The tellers are nice and there are many branches. We travel to Virginia and Florida a lot and they both have SunTrust branches so it works for me.
My vote is BB&T. Everything they offer services-wise are managed locally, including credit cards and mortgages. We enjoy going in and them always recognizing us and the personal service we receive. No nickel and diming at all!
My car note is via Suntrust and they have been hounding me to move more accounts with them, but BB&T has given me no reason at all to bail on them.
I never banked with BB&T, but switched my business accounts from Wells (was with them as Wachovia) to Suntrust. I mainly picked ST because I have to drive past it every day leaving my neighborhood, but have been really happy with them. Wells definitely nickel and dimed us to death as well as some other headaches.
You may want to consider a credit union instead. I had banked with many of the local banks; BB&T; Wachovia; Wells Fargo; etc and decided I had enough of their nickel and dime tactics. I researched a great deal and switched over to Coastal Federal Federal Credit Union a year or so ago and have been so pleased. Don't think a somewhat local credit union can't deliver all the services that the big banks can. No fee ATM's are available throughout the country and money market rates are much higher. Cutting edge bank teller availability (7-7/7) is really nice. I don't have a horse in the race, just passing along my two cents.
I don't live in the Triangle, but have banked with BB&T for nearly 15 years in three different communities (2 in NC and 1 in SC). Have had 2 mortgages with BB&T. I get my paychecks through direct deposit and don't pay any fees for online banking. I have always received great service from BB&T.
I've had SunTrust since we moved here four years ago. I am very happy with them. I love that they will reimburse the banking fee if you use another bank's ATM.
I think whoever you pick we can all be in agreement of one thing....
Wells Fargo is in last place... j/k
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