I need a bank account!

[notthatone]

I need to open a bank account,I have never had one in my life. Had a bad experince many years ago,scared me off. Anyway,I realize there is a search function but it is not working so well for what I am looking for,so I thought I would just ask. I need a bank where I can set up a savings and checking account,have minimal fees,have branches all over the east coast,no minimum balance,and a debit card. I am trying to build some credit,so a bank that I can obtain a credit card through would be nice as well. Most importantly,I need to know what to do when I get there...I mean it when I say to you I am financially retarded. Do I approach a teller to open an account,do I call ahead..how does this all work? Thanks for any help you guys might have to offer!

 

[GWguy]

If you can, join a Credit Union. If you are associated with the military or a civil servant, try the Navy Federal Credit Union. If not, you can apply to the Cedar Point Federal Credit Union. Just go up any teller or the front desk attendant if there is one.

 

[notthatone]

If you can, join a Credit Union. If you are associated with the military or a civil servant, try the Navy Federal Credit Union. If not, you can apply to the Cedar Point Federal Credit Union. Just go up any teller or the front desk attendant if there is one.

I have always been under teh impression that you had to have business or family ties to the Credit Union to join..will look into it though!

 

[GWguy]

The requirements are not as strict as they used to be, but I don't know what they are anymore. Best to just stop in and ask all your questions.

 

[RoseRed]

The requirements are not as strict as they used to be, but I don't know what they are anymore. Best to just stop in and ask all your questions.

Navy Fed let me join not only because of family ties, but told me I qualified because I work for a DoD contractor.

 

[notthatone]

Navy Fed let me join not only because of family ties, but told me I qualified because I work for a DoD contractor.

I don't work,and have zero connection to military.No family members within the credit union either. Checked the website,I think I am not getting in. I am leaning towards Chevy Chase...the website seemed easy to navigate and clear,and the place has a nice location,never crowded. Then again,Bank of America and PNC are always packed,and C.C. isn't - maybe that is bad...

 

[misshelper]

I don't work,and have zero connection to military.No family members within the credit union either. Checked the website,I think I am not getting in. I am leaning towards Chevy Chase...the website seemed easy to navigate and clear,and the place has a nice location,never crowded. Then again,Bank of America and PNC are always packed,and C.C. isn't - maybe that is bad...

So why do you need an account if you don't work?

 

[RoseRed]

I don't work,and have zero connection to military.No family members within the credit union either. Checked the website,I think I am not getting in. I am leaning towards Chevy Chase...the website seemed easy to navigate and clear,and the place has a nice location,never crowded. Then again,Bank of America and PNC are always packed,and C.C. isn't - maybe that is bad...

Where does your money come from?

 

[notthatone]

Where does your money come from?

My pimp. (or my husband).

 

[misshelper]

My pimp. (or my husband).

Wow...mbfn

 

[County_Boy]

My pimp. (or my husband).

So most likely you would be lookin' for a Bank with a
branch on Great Mills Road !!

 

[SShewbert]

I use Chevy Chase and also have an account at Woodforest. I have not been with Woodforest that long so can not say anything about them, I am also not sure of their branches. I know that Chevy Chase only has branches from what I have been told in the Delmarva area. I do like Chevy Chase though and have not had any problems with them. I have never dealt with PNC but have with BofA and had some problems with them. My step father who has his account at BofA is having problems with them as well.

 

[MadDogMarine]

Not the best time to place any assets into a bank. They all will take your money and open an account easily. What's happening is it beats hell to get your money out. Some banks want a finger print scan to cash a check. Many limit how much cash you can withdraw etc, Scary times. Last time I was in a bank, I complimented the lady because I felt like a movie star visiting her bank. I was surrounded by about 8 surveillance cameras.
The best way to build your credit rating is too take out a "small loan" and make all payments on time untill it has been paid off. Some people do this even though they don't need a loan. Same with a credit card. Use it very little and make timely payments.
If you have any assets to invest, now is the time to purchase a few gold or silver coins and keep them at home for any emergencies. Gold is now at $1000/ounce and many say will see $2000/ounce within a year on it's way to even higher numbers. Silver is about $15/ounce with possibilities reaching $60/ounce. Just an opinion.

 

[Tigerlily]

Without a job no one will give you a loan or credit card these days without an employed person being a signature holder on the account. It really depends on how much traveling you do and how much money you will be pulling out of the ATM when choosing a bank. I use BB&T pay no monthly fees, get free checks and the Visa check card. I also have a savings account and overdraft protection with them.

This works well for me as I use my bank card more than I visit ATM's and my paychecks are direct deposit. I use the ATM about once a week and pull out whatever cash I may need for the week. If I don't get to Wildwood to avoid the surcharge I hit the Wawa or Sheetz where I only pay the $2.00 fee to my bank as their machine's are surcharge free.

I also have had an account at Navy Federal for the last 15 plus years. When I joined though there was no branch here and I personally switched as there is no drive through at the local branch and their hours were horrible for my work schedule. Add to that the lines inside, what used to be the lack of Saturday hours and the inabilty to find an ATM on travel or anywhere other than in San Souci or a navy base caused me to look elsewhere. My accounts are still open with what I consider emergency funds in them.

I also have a savings account with Wachovia and after I opened it I never used it. There are no local branches as Waldorf is the nearest one so it just sits.

My daughter has accounts for savings, checking and overdraft at PNC. She has no complaint's so far but she doesn't use it very much as she is in collegse full time and basically just puts gift money in her account.

 

[oldman]

I started out with Bank of Southern Maryland that sold out to Mercantile that then sold out to PNC. I have been VERY satisfied with PNC. I also have a small account with Navy Federal that I started back in the 60's. I have never had a problem with any bank I've ever dealt with.

 

[jetmonkey]

I use the liquor store.

 

[TotalEclipse31]

I work for BB&T. You should come there. You will not e able to get a credit card without a job, but you can get Checking and Savings. Link the two for overdraft protection. Our accounts are free, check card is free. No minimum you have to keep in the account. We have branches over the entire east coast. I'm probably missing alot, but im tired. If you have any more questions just let me know!

 

[Tigerlily]

I work for BB&T. You should come there. You will not e able to get a credit card without a job, but you can get Checking and Savings. Link the two for overdraft protection. Our accounts are free, check card is free. No minimum you have to keep in the account. We have branches over the entire east coast. I'm probably missing alot, but im tired. If you have any more questions just let me know!

I love, love, love BB&T. Fast, courteous & friendly service. No hassle's, never stood in a long line. I also love that when I go to my Mom's in NC there is always a branch close by. You guy's rock.

 

[TotalEclipse31]

I love, love, love BB&T. Fast, courteous & friendly service. No hassle's, never stood in a long line. I also love that when I go to my Mom's in NC there is always a branch close by. You guy's rock.

Thank you very much for the kind words. We try..lol. You mind if I ask what branches you use? or what area? I actually want to give the FCL (manager) a call and let him/her know what you had to say about their branch.

 

[nomoney]

I also have a savings account with Wachovia and after I opened it I never used it. There are no local branches as Waldorf is the nearest one so it just sits.

If you have money in that account you might want to do minimal transactions every now and then with the account. Banks can take your money after a period of time if there is no activity without trying to contact you because they consider it dormant. Every state is different with their time frame, and I don't know the specifics...but I think Maryland is relatively short in comparrison. You might want to check into that. Of course if you don't have money in that account then I just typed all of this for nothing.