jakebe | California Banking

A brief explanation: Now that I've been working for about a month and have (finally) received my first paycheck, the time has come for me to sign on with a bank and/or credit union for a checking account.

I've done a little bit of research (mainly asking around, but also looking at webpages) and here's what I know: credit unions tend to be a bit more customer-oriented, with little to no hidden fees or tricks that are used specifically for screwing you out of your money. Supposedly, most credit unions will also reimburse fees other banks charge for using their ATMs if you're not a member, while not charging you a cent! However, most credit unions are small and *extremely* local; if I ever decided to move out of, say, Santa Clara county, I'd most likely have to close my account. I also *have* to open a savings account (which might not be a bad thing, come to think of it) and pay a small, non-refundable one-time fee.

With the banks, there's much more exposure; more ATMs, more services (like online banking, which may or may not be offered with a credit union) and less quirkiness. I know more what to expect. However, it is not very customer oriented, there are likely to be hidden fees and tricks, and, well, they're just so...bankish. Of the banks that are around, Washington Mutual and Bank of the West are the ones that seem to be most recommended. Wells Fargo and Bank of America, I'm told, should be avoided like the plague.

So, top three are Valley Credit Union, which has a branch right down the street from my house. Washington Mutual and Bank of the West have offices within two blocks of where I work, and I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult to find other branches if I were to change jobs. Which should I go with?

[Poll #836477]