Online Checking Accounts Versus Walk-In Bank Accounts

As I have noticed, all the banks with online setup for checking and savings, have new “no minimal setups” and “no minimal deposits.” I have to say, the setup goes smoothly and you do not have to hand anything to a half wit and hope they do not fumble your investment money. You just make sure that you do not screw it up.

I have been charged 27 times for overdraft fees that never actually happened, 8 of them at one time. This set me back quite a bit of money, $216 to be exact. It all came out of one check and the day before my car note was due. After many hours of hearing “but you spent it.” and being transferred, I emailed a bank representative. I mean, they were saying it was because I went into the red, which is bull. Finally, I got someone with an IQ, and she said, “Oh, I see what happened. You should see a refund in three days.” Well, 12 phone calls and a month later, I still have not received my money back.

The whole “no nickel and dime” slogan rings true: Sure, they will not nickel and dime you; they will dollar and five you. They charge you $20+ to do a balance inquiry from another bank’s ATM. God forbid someone in a store checks the validity of your account by having you type in your PIN code. Sure, the checks are free.

That looks like a nickel to me.  I paid  for something online in Virginia.
Now, I have been using Prosperity Bank for a few years. I was going to that bank, back before it changed its name on me twice. I had issues with the way a few things changed, so I took out all of my money last year except for 95 cents. I went to an online checking account at a very popular bank, the one bank that tells of “No hassle” and they “won’t nickel and dime you.” BS! Well, as I am seeing things, I will go back to Prosperity Bank. See, I didn’t know what they were up against with everything changing around them, I guess I just needed to evolve with them or die out there on my own. This walk in only bank has accounts that have minimal amounts limitations or they charge you small fees. Luckily, I have an account older than the company’s logo, so I still have 100% free checking. The downside is, the checks cost me money.

Online checking = free checks, ATM fees out the yin-yang, no minimum savings, no lines to wait in when making adjustments to your account, and your security is as high as your encryptions.

Walk-in checking = costly checks, no fee to check your balance at any ATM, savings are $2000 minimal, and you have to wait in line to transfer money around accounts. Savings is a hassle.

Who in their right mind trusts a bank with a name that looks like “watch over ya” but pronounces it “walk over ya?”