changing banks, need opinions...........
 

I am planning to change banks from out of state to The Villages. Does anyone know if there is a comparison chart for the different banks here to see who is best to go with? I need checking with interest, a saving acct, auto bill pay and a debit card. Thanks in advance for any information.

I like using Bank of America, they offer full service, offer competitive rates, and have ATM’s available just about everywhere.

What bank are u currently using?

I still have my bankup north..no branches here.

Also have an account at Citizens First..they are fine

Worried about interst on a checking account? Lol..what are they going to pay you?

Every bank down here will have satisfied customers.

Every bank down here will have dissatisfied customers.

What are you looking for in your comparison chart request??

Before we moved to Florida from Wisconsin, we join Chase bank
because they have branches in both states.

I always wondered about interest on checking accounts, why do they bother?
I must be some law, and the couple cents each month always is just
few to through my balance off.

Chase Bank is offering up to a $600 bonus for opening a checking and savings account.

Chase Bank Promotions: March 2023.

Chase $600 Bonus for Checking + Savings (2023) - The Money Ninja

When we moved here 3 yers ago looked around and saw we got a better deal from our Va bank and just opened an account with a credit union to have access to a safe deposit box

You probably won't find a local bank that pays a competitive interest rate on either savings or checking.

I use a local bank for checking, ATM, credit cards. I use online banks for decent interest rates on anything else.

We have been very happy with citizens for almost 10 years, lots of ATMs, our mortgage was at a very good rate (no idea about current conditions), easy online access, and they work well with paypal.

When we bought in TV several years ago, the Chase bonus was $200 for opening a checking account.

The amount was taxable. We received a 1099 from Chase.

If someone has reached Medicare age and income is nearing the threshold for IRMAA, the amount of the bonus could cause the threshold for a higher premium to be crossed. The higher premium would show up 2 years later.

Boomer

Citibank for checking
American Express for high yield savings
Fidelity for Brokerage

We have had BB&T now Truist since 2003 both in VA and here, including mortgages in each place. We also run a 501c3 here in TV, and have a small business account with them. We are extremely satisfied. Customer Service is of paramount importance to us, and they deliver every time.

We use two banks, BOA for the full service with a credit card with zero FX transaction fees, buying foreign currencies, etc.
and Citizens First for a secondary account, both local.

Note: The BOA wanted me to close the FX less credit card and replace it with a 4% cash back credit card. .
I declined as they think i don't know what the typical FX transaction spread is, 9% as validated with my other BOA credit cards.
So they wanted me to get a 9% fx travel card to get 4% back - grifters. . . if it looks like free money, its probably not.

I don't see the need for an out of state bank, we just use credit cards when traveling, where ever we are. .
and with two different banks and an independent bank credit card as well, we are covered for traveling and just get cash prior to traveling. .

july former finance guy

Yeah, we do the same thing. BOA has been fine with us and we are hoping they will build an office in Lake Deaton Shopping Center.

Have used Citizens for all services since we moved here in 2001. No complaints

Not yet retired account friend commented at dinner a week ago, about the NEGATIVE cost of money in a bank account. Turns out he was correct, turns out that you can't just look at the .005 % interest, you have to faction in inflation, and you actually go BACKWARD in a bank checking account, so good move to keep ONLY what you must at the time into that account because you are paying for that checking account. If you have a high balance, you pay a high price for those "free" senior accounts ! LOL ! Kind of like "free" roofs, and "free" windshield replacement.. LOL !

We have TD Bank up north and now they have branches in the area.

If you are looking for convenience Citizen's First seems to be the bank of choice for T V. Many recreation centers have citizen First drive up ATM machines now. Further north from SR 44 they are walk up ATM's at mail centers and pools. $100 gets your account opened up and no fees as long as you use their services every couple of months ie deposit or withdrawal. I let my acct sit 6 mos. They sent me a letter on it so I deposited $10 and got no fee.

Bank of America has few branches if person to person is something you need often. During covid, BOA was a ghost town but C F was open. Citizens branches are everywhere here. Personally I prefer a bank that doesn't tell me what I should think based on their corporate social scoring. Citizen's has been great.

Not what you asked, but I moved here eight years ago and my northern bank has no branches in Florida. I just kept my accounts with them and never started an account in Florida. They have a free-to-use ATM in The Villages. Since virtually everything I do is online, it really has not been an inconvenience not having a bank here.

I have yet not moved over to Campus USA, but I just recently heard about them, and they’re great! They offer really good interest rates, both on one’s savings accounts, and if getting a loan. They’re also very nice and helpful. I wish I had heard about them sooner, and highly recommend you check them out (and, no, I do not work for them.)

Citizens Bank is very convenient and has always treated us well. We also have an account at Mid-Florida CU. It is a good idea having more then one bank.

Banks to Avoid I would place Bank of America on the top of the list followed by Wells Fargo.

Google. It's best to do your own research.

I do all my banking online with Schwab, fee-free ATM usage, and check cashing by taking a picture. Great customer service 24/7. I haven't been to a bank in 20 years.

Veteran?
 

Try using Navy federal or USAA

When we were in Peru, I lost my wallet with a debit card from Citizens. When I tried to contact them by phone or by email, they were unresponsive. I had to wait until I returned home to cancel the card. I no longer carry their debit card.
BTW, the credit union up north cancelled by debit and credit cards within 2 hours of being notified. They waited until I returned and then sent new cards to me.

While we have a citizens account, we mostly use our northern credit account via their secure website. I have 2 level ID for any transactions.

Citizens Bank now for 20 years. One reason is great customer service. There are 10 Citizens banks in The Villages. They have their ATMs at ALL the postal stations in TV. You can get cash anytime day or night.
As far as where to keep your put and take cash? You are much better off with a high yield savings account like Synchrony (on line), which presently is paying 4% interest and is not a CD.

We have Chase and have been satisfied

BOA because it’s all states we own homes or travel. All of our children and grans have BOA, so moving money is easy. Plus we have ML for investment

Citizens, checking keep small amount, use for local guys who bank there.

Chase is our business account.

All are in TV, very happy with all three

I am using Wells Fargo since 2010. My Account is with WI Wells but we have branches in FL as well. I have a brokerage account with them as well so I got bumped to their better account due to minimum balance.

Citizens has the best looking buildings and landscaping. You'll enjoy that more than the miniscule interest you might earn on a checking account.

go Citizen's for small villages purchases, other large ones for savings. i've had bad luck with BOA. Chase is ok if you have an entire day to devote to any offline banking needs.

I just opened a CD with CIT at 5% which is pretty good these days
cit.com

Never use a bank. Go to a credit Union instead. They are better at everything and none of the ridiculous fees banks charge you.

Suncoast Credit Union is a good one.

Good looking buildings and landscaping. Two critical things to consider when choosing where to bank. 😃😃😄

BOA also offer a reward program which makes up for the low interest %, that all the other Banks offer. Call each bank and ask question of what they offer. Good luck.

For my local bank I've been using Citizens First. They are excellent.

I had Schwab for years until they reduced the interest on their "high yield checking" to near nothing. Otherwise they have great customer service and you can do almost anything online, but they have branches if you need in-person services. I switched to Fidelity a few years back and they are awesome. With a cash management account, you basically have a bank that pays market interest on your cash balance (near 4.5% right now) and can write checks, use a debit card at the ATM and there is a branch office in Sumter Landing if you need in-person services. I highly recommend Fidelity.

For Convenience and Friendliness….
 

Citizens First Bank

They have branches all over the place and all the mail stations in The Villages have Citizens First ATMs.

If you’re seeking the lowest rates to borrow or the highest rates to invest, you can always “shop around”.
Citizens First typically is 1/4 point higher or lower than other banks.

But all the branches serve the best popcorn in The Villages!

We kept our northern credit union. We have several pensions that get paid into the credit union and did not want to mess with them. We opened an account with Citizens for convenience. Works for us.