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kkmk

How did you guys choose your bank account?

By kkmk in Moving to the US and Your New Life In America

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kkmk Explorer

kkmk   47

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Timeline
Posted

There are just so many options, I read the "top checkings/savings account 2021" lists and get more confused because I don't see much of a pattern there...so I'd like to know from you guys, how did you pick the bank where you opened your checkings/savings account? what pros and cons you have experienced and what to look for?

Thanks!

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JeanneAdil Grand Master

JeanneAdil   6,196

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Morocco
 Timeline
Posted

personnally i went with a credit union as they offer free

1. free account with direct deposits

2. free money orders

3.  free certified checks

4.  free copy machine

5.  free coin counter

plus no charge for the notary and they are local

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.yana Community Regular

.yana   586

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Russia
 Timeline
Posted

Pick whatever is the largest bank with the most convenient branch for you in your area.

Timeline:

Spoiler

AOS Journey:

Spoiler

 

08/19/2016 - day 0 - I-485, I-130, I-765 sent to USCIS office in Chicago (PD: 08/23/2016)

08/31/2016 - day 9 - electronic NOAs received via text and email, check is cashed.

09/08/2016 - day 17 - biometrics appointment notice received in the mail (appointment date 09/19/2016).

09/13/2016 - day 22 - early biometrics walk in.

10/28/2016 - day 67 - EAD status changed to "New Card Is Being Produced".

11/16/2016 - day 87 - EAD card received in mail.

06/27/2017 - day 309 - contacted the congressman office.

07/28/2017 - day 340 - finally received an interview appointment in mail (online status has not changed).

08/31/2017 - day 374 - Interview; I-485 status changed to 'New Card Is Being Produced'

09/08/2017 - day 382 - greencard received in mail

I-751 & N400 Journey:

Spoiler

06/20/2019 - day 1036 - ROC packet mailed (PD: 06/21/2019)

06/29/2019 - day 1045 - NOA/Extension letter received in the mail (new GC expiration date is 2/28/2021)

01/17/2020 - day 1256 - biometrics appointment

06/03/2020 - day 1382 - N400 filed online (PD: 06/04/2020)

02/01/2021 - day 1626 - Biometric Reuse notice uploaded to my online account

02/08/2021 - day 1634 - Interview Appointment notice uploaded to my online account

03/16/2021 - day 1670 - N400 Interview - passed; due to I-751 stuck in another office 'No decision can be made at this time'

06/01/2021 - day 1747 - with help of Sen. Sanders' office, I-751 file finally forwarded to St. Albans field office

06/28/2021 - day 1774 - I-751 status changed to 'New Card is Being Produced'; N400 status changed to 'Oath Ceremony Will Be Scheduled'

08/19/2021 - day 1826 (exactly 5 years since day 0) - Oath Ceremony (notice received on 7/19/21)

 

 

 

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chancecody Enthusiast

chancecody   123

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted
4 hours ago, kkmk said:

There are just so many options, I read the "top checkings/savings account 2021" lists and get more confused because I don't see much of a pattern there...so I'd like to know from you guys, how did you pick the bank where you opened your checkings/savings account? what pros and cons you have experienced and what to look for?

Thanks!

The best thing is to ask yourself the features that you need based on your lifestyle etc. For my case, I do all banking online so I chose Capital One 360 Free Checking account. I usually pay everything using a premium credit card to earn points and I make sure to pay the card balance in full by the due date to avoid interest. I can also write a check using this free checking account. Finally, it is free to withdraw at hundreds of ATM near me (US Bank, CVS, Walgreens etc). 

 

The free checking account works just like any other except there is no in-person branch near me which I am fine. In my old bank in Canada, I did online banking as well but once I had to come in the branch and I was scratching my head why people would line up for services that you could do online. I guess that’s not me but others may crave seeing real person serve them :D

 

 

 

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TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   43,058

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

Some banks are open only Monday through Friday.

Others are open from 9 to noon or 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

Those Saturday hours can be invaluable.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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JeanneAdil Grand Master

JeanneAdil   6,196

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Morocco
 Timeline
Posted
10 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

Some banks are open only Monday through Friday.

Others are open from 9 to noon or 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

Those Saturday hours can be invaluable.

my credit union has machine drive in tellers open 6 days a week from 9 AM to 7 PM 

and online banking so all my accounts are set up to be paid automatically monthly/ this allows me to travel at will

i don't have my bank on my cell as too easy to loose a cell or be hacked in public 

 

Check about recent bank hacking of any bank u choose and their security measures / they have to disclose all information

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TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   43,058

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

Sometimes one needs currency broken down a certain way, or rolls of coins, etc.

This is why Saturday hours can be helpful.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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Carpe Vinum Proficient

Carpe Vinum   2,310

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

We have three on line banks, one CU and the behemoth Chase. Don't ask why)))

Not a newbie but lost my old info years ago) I have been through this process before --all the way through naturalization-- This site has always been a great help to me. 

 

 

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usmsbow Proficient

usmsbow   795

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Indonesia
 Timeline
Posted

I chose PNC years ago because I could use ATMs anywhere and it didn't have many requirements to have a fee-less account. Alas, they've since changed (ATM benefit has a monthly limit now), but I'm lazy and they're still OK, just not as good as before.

 

Wife has Chase because they gave her like $200 after opening a checking account with them. As long as my wife is employed and gets a direct deposit, it's fine, but if she were to become unemployed, she'd probably close the account to avoid fees. I wouldn't recommend Chase unless you got an incentive like my wife did.

 

Agree with most others here, credit unions are generally the best way to go for a personal checking/savings account. 

 

 

Removing Conditions Timeline

Aug. 10, '17: Mailed in I-751

Aug. 21, '17: NOA1

October 23, '18: NOA2- approval

October 30, 18: 10-year GC received

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Prizm123 Proficient

Prizm123   1,084

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Ukraine
 Timeline
Posted

credit union from work. just need direct deposits, and i hate mainstream banks like BofA/WF/JP Morgane Chase etc anyway

frankly i am even considering moving most of my savings into non fiat currency anyways because interest rates on savings are pathetic wherever you go

RoC sent 10/30/21

NOA 11/16/21

Check Cashed 11/18/21

Biometrics Waived 01/19/2022

 

 

Beware the fury of a patient man.- John Dryden

Political attempts to require that others share your personal truths are, in their limit, dictatorships.- Neil deGrasse Tyson

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