I realize that what I’m asking is going to be limited in opinions because of location, but for those who have any experience, insight, or opinions of any the following three banks, please share.

Wintrust Community Banks, First American Bank, and Old Second National Bank.

The one non negotiable is U.S. based customer service with English as a primary language. This will be personal savings and checking only, no commercial/business needs. A smooth working mobile app would be appreciated as well.

I can't help you with those three


I can recommend Navy Federal though, they are amazing.

Another recommendation for Navy Federal Credit Union, but you have to be eligible for membership. You or immediate family has to have a military connection. Active duty, veteran, etc.

^^^^^ NFCU. What they said!

I hate to pile on, but NFCU here as well. Even with branches nearby, I do everything on-line including my current mortgage and the car loan we just paid off.

But to your 3, If possible, I would use a credit union over a bank, and all things being equal, I would use a local bank over a larger bank.

quote:

Originally posted by SpinZone:
But to your 3, If possible, I would use a credit union over a bank, and all things being equal, I would use a local bank over a larger bank.

Can I ask why as it's not entirely intuitive to me. For example, I would imagine that larger banks would have the resources to better assure secure banking. What are the pros/cons of CU over bank and Local over Large?

I'm thinking about consolidating accounts. One factor is also ease and cost of accessing funds internationally (for example, if I try to live overseas in asia for a 3-6 months of the year).

Find a smaller community bank in your area where you can talk (in English) to people who can help you.
Check out their website and app to be sure they meet you wants & needs.
Any should be FDIC insured.
Any real money invested in things like CD's can be done online nowadays with much better rates.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:

I'm thinking about consolidating accounts. One factor is also ease and cost of accessing funds internationally (for example, if I try to live overseas in asia for a 3-6 months of the year).

I highly recommend against Bank of America. My mother is a dual citizen living in the UK, with her non-retirement US assets at BofA. They have been difficult and at times incompetent.

On a related note, if you become considered foreign domiciled your taxes can become complicated, and some institutions will not want to hold your accounts. Investment and retirement accounts especially. One way to avoid the hassles is to maintain a viable US address with those institutions, where your physical mail can be kept for you until you return. That way the question never comes up with them whether you are domiciled here or overseas.

There are special additional complicated reporting requirements on some investments if you are domiciled outside the USA. While not at all illegal to invest in those things, the institutions don't want to be on the hook for the reporting. My mom had a lot of trouble finding a custodian for her IRA account, which then of course costs her extra management fees plus another layer of complexity that a 95 yr old has to navigate.

^^^^^ What he said, too!

Good to know, thanks!

Why do taxes and such make it so complicated and hard to live simply?

BoA just got hit for $1.2B over money laundering.

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0657/


All my support calls with USAA have been served out of San Antonio.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:

quote:

Originally posted by SpinZone:
But to your 3, If possible, I would use a credit union over a bank, and all things being equal, I would use a local bank over a larger bank.

Can I ask why as it's not entirely intuitive to me. For example, I would imagine that larger banks would have the resources to better assure secure banking. What are the pros/cons of CU over bank and Local over Large?

I'm thinking about consolidating accounts. One factor is also ease and cost of accessing funds internationally (for example, if I try to live overseas in asia for a 3-6 months of the year).

^^^^^^

Security: Maybe, maybe not. All banks and credit unions have to have security procedures in place. Who knows which size of institution may have a security issue that is not known. All bank/CU have the same limits for federally insured funds. If you have larger amounts, smaller banks are better as you can get an ICS or CDARS account. Larger banks typically don’t want to get involved in them as they want all your money with their institution. The advantage of an ICS/CDARS account is you bank at one place, but have millions of dollars that are still federally insured but are spread out amongst dozens of others banks in the country.

Pros/cons: Credit unions generally have a little better interest rates (unless you have a lot of money). Local banks generally have someone who can make a decision in the building. A larger bank large credit union may only have branches without a lot of decision making ability.

You should be able to access your funds anywhere. I would specifically ask your credit union/bank what your options are for the specific region you will be living in.

I cannot answer your question.

What I learned is that a local credit union is great for simple transactions like HELOC or home equity loan. But, the lack of online account control becomes an issue.

So, what's in your wallet? That's where I bank. US english speaking primary language people at the Capital One Cafe. Easy to pop in and get help. The app is wonderful. Service is great. Credit card protection is great.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Can I ask why as it's not entirely intuitive to me. For example, I would imagine that larger banks would have the resources to better assure secure banking. What are the pros/cons of CU over bank and Local over Large?

I'm thinking about consolidating accounts. One factor is also ease and cost of accessing funds internationally (for example, if I try to live overseas in asia for a 3-6 months of the year).

I guesss it depends what you’re doing and what you want. When we used a small local bank, the teller was generally able to deal with anything we might throw at them. When the bank was bought by Santa Barbara Bank and Trust (a regional bank), there were plenty of times when they had to call down to Santa Barbara to see what to do. When they were bought by US Bank, they no longer had any clue who to call. We left.

I use Congressional Federal, where all our Congress critters deposit their paychecks. It will be the last bank to ever fail. And I hate them. It's just that I get commission deposits from so many insurance companies, sometimes once a year from a company I had totally forgotten about, that I'd never be able to make a clean break. And switching over to another would be such a nightmare. They have me over a barrel. Maybe one day they'll push me over the line. I'd probably go to Navy Fed. I also opened an account as US Bank, as it was the closest physical branch to my house and my CU's closest branch is 2500 miles away. But my US Bank branch hires freaks, trannies and cross dressers and it's hard for me to make eye contact with many of the people at the teller desk.

Do you need a branch? Schwab has been absolutely great! That and an Apple Card has worked very well in the Middle East and Central Asia.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:

quote:

Originally posted by SpinZone:
But to your 3, If possible, I would use a credit union over a bank, and all things being equal, I would use a local bank over a larger bank.

Can I ask why as it's not entirely intuitive to me. For example, I would imagine that larger banks would have the resources to better assure secure banking. What are the pros/cons of CU over bank and Local over Large?

I'm thinking about consolidating accounts. One factor is also ease and cost of accessing funds internationally (for example, if I try to live overseas in asia for a 3-6 months of the year).

I wouldn’t give the same advice (or any advice) if the OP mentioned living abroad as I don't know anything about that. But for someone just looking for a personal checking and savings account, CUs generally have better rates and services, are focused on catering to a specific group so there is a certain sense of belonging, and usually offer services tailored to that specific group.
Small community banks generally offer a more personalized experience with a branch that probably has someone in the building with the authority to make decisions and to the OP's single "must have", their call center is usually the lady at the desk off to the side of the teller area.

An example would be my buddy in Golfport, MS who has the his business accounts at the local community bank. He pays the crews on Fridays in cash. He texts a list of hours for everyone to the accountant who does the math and emails the details to the bank. He gets to the branch office and the tellers have a stack of envelopes of cash labeled with the names. They just hand him the stack if there is a line and he's off. A few of the crews who bank at the same bank just get a receipt showing the money was deposited in their account. Try getting BoA to do that.

And another FU to BoA. I will never do business with them again.

quote:

Originally posted by SigJacket:
...All my support calls with USAA have been served out of San Antonio.

Not sure this was an endorsement for USAA or not. Seems like SigJacket was simply saying he dealt with domestic folks that spoke english. And, that's true.

I can endorse them. You do not have to be current or former military to bank with them. Everything is done online and has been for years. If that makes you uncomfortable, then of course I'd recommend a local bank or credit union. You typically get better service from smaller, regonial bank rather than the big money center banks.