Alternatives to USAA for online banking?
January 17, 2011 9:22 AM Subscribe
I've used USAA for all of our banking for the last 10+ years and been extremely satisfied. Are there any other online banks that offer the same combination of services and features?
For a number of reasons that I won't go into here I'm in the process of evaluating alternatives to USAA. I'd really like to find another online bank with as many of the following services as possible:
- Free checking
- Online bill-pay
- ATM Fee Refunds
- Online check deposits
- iPhone app (bonus if it allows check depositing)
- Knowledgeable and helpful customer service reps (who speak English, preferably)
ING Direct seems like an obvious choice but they don't allow remote deposits, which is a deal-breaker. The banks that do, like Chase, I wouldn't touch with a 39.5-foot pole.
So does anyone have good experience with an online bank that offers these services?
For a number of reasons that I won't go into here I'm in the process of evaluating alternatives to USAA. I'd really like to find another online bank with as many of the following services as possible:
- Free checking
- Online bill-pay
- ATM Fee Refunds
- Online check deposits
- iPhone app (bonus if it allows check depositing)
- Knowledgeable and helpful customer service reps (who speak English, preferably)
ING Direct seems like an obvious choice but they don't allow remote deposits, which is a deal-breaker. The banks that do, like Chase, I wouldn't touch with a 39.5-foot pole.
So does anyone have good experience with an online bank that offers these services?
Are there any other online banks that offer the same combination of services and features?
No. There aren't.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 9:35 AM on January 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
No. There aren't.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 9:35 AM on January 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
Almost every major bank in the US has free checking, online bill pay, and an iPhone app. Other than Chase and USAA I can't think of any that accept online check deposits for individual (non-business) accounts. You can find a list of banks that refund ATM fees or accept remote deposits here.
posted by phoenixy at 9:46 AM on January 17, 2011
posted by phoenixy at 9:46 AM on January 17, 2011
I would stay with USAA. I don't think you can find better.
posted by JayRwv at 9:47 AM on January 17, 2011
posted by JayRwv at 9:47 AM on January 17, 2011
I use State Farm Bank for on-line deposits (via Android), but I'm not sure about the other features - I ACH the deposits elsewhere.
posted by hey you over in the corner at 9:50 AM on January 17, 2011
posted by hey you over in the corner at 9:50 AM on January 17, 2011
Best answer: They're not open for business yet, but Bank Simple looks promising.
posted by adamrice at 9:53 AM on January 17, 2011
posted by adamrice at 9:53 AM on January 17, 2011
I just switched to USAA in the last year after moving from my credit union and I did some serious shopping around. I found that the combination of online check deposits and fee-free ATMs [i.e. the refunding thing] was impossible to match among all the banks I looked at. You could try a combination of ING and a smaller bank so you could make online [or by mail] check deposits and then transfer the money over there in increments. I have a local bank in addition to USAA and I find the combination pretty unbeatable.
posted by jessamyn at 9:54 AM on January 17, 2011
posted by jessamyn at 9:54 AM on January 17, 2011
Response by poster: I was afraid of this! I'll do what I can to stay with USAA, but it may not be an option. A combination of accounts to get the features I want was an option I hadn't considered. I'll look into it...
Thanks!
posted by jluce50 at 10:01 AM on January 17, 2011
Thanks!
posted by jluce50 at 10:01 AM on January 17, 2011
I know you say you don't want to go into it, but if the reason you think USAA may become unavailable to you is because of a marital status change, you may want to look at the Widows, Widowers and Former Spouses of USAA members.
posted by artlung at 12:03 PM on January 17, 2011
posted by artlung at 12:03 PM on January 17, 2011
I only wish that I could get insurance from them. I am the son of a WWII Veteran who never used USAA (by the time they let enlisted in, it was too late). I've sent them an email asking for them to change their policy.
posted by CodeMonkey at 12:09 PM on January 17, 2011
posted by CodeMonkey at 12:09 PM on January 17, 2011
jluce, in a similar situation - might be able to get buy with a credit union and schwab checking.
If you find anything please repost to thread, credit union + schwab is what i'm planning on doing. If you lose access to usaa banking services I believe you retain access to the insurance and other programs under the usaa banner.
posted by iamabot at 1:48 PM on January 17, 2011
If you find anything please repost to thread, credit union + schwab is what i'm planning on doing. If you lose access to usaa banking services I believe you retain access to the insurance and other programs under the usaa banner.
posted by iamabot at 1:48 PM on January 17, 2011
Schwab bank has all of the features you mentioned except for remote deposit (which I believe they've mentioned that theyre working on.)
I've been super happy with them over the past few years.
posted by jourman2 at 2:24 PM on January 17, 2011
I've been super happy with them over the past few years.
posted by jourman2 at 2:24 PM on January 17, 2011
Best answer: I can recommend Digital Federal Credit Union, which has most of your requested features (or possibly all):
posted by flicken at 3:41 PM on January 17, 2011
- Free checking
- Online bill-pay
- ATM Fee Refunds (up to $5/month, need to "qualify" (easy if it's your primary bank), see link for details)
- Online check deposits (via PC, iPhone or Android)
- iPhone app (does a Mobile Branch count?)
- Knowledgeable and helpful customer service reps, who speak English, preferably (Yep, they speak English here in New England.)
posted by flicken at 3:41 PM on January 17, 2011
I have used USAA for many, many years. My ex-wives and children have always been able to maintain their membership. I have had very few problems with USAA over the years, and they have made timely corrections if the problems were their fault. About half -- maybe more -- turned out to be my fault.
posted by psc1860 at 6:38 PM on January 17, 2011
posted by psc1860 at 6:38 PM on January 17, 2011
Response by poster: DCU looks good, although $5 in ATM fees is about 2 withdrawals. Still, they're probably at the top of the heap right now. I also got a recommendation for PenFed via Mefi Mail and they look pretty good too.
@adamrice: I've been on Bank Simple's beta list forever now. I'd LOVE it if this was a real option in the next couple months but I'm not banking on it (har!)...
Lot's of good suggestions, actually, so I've got some research to do.
Thanks again, everyone!
posted by jluce50 at 8:29 AM on January 18, 2011
@adamrice: I've been on Bank Simple's beta list forever now. I'd LOVE it if this was a real option in the next couple months but I'm not banking on it (har!)...
Lot's of good suggestions, actually, so I've got some research to do.
Thanks again, everyone!
posted by jluce50 at 8:29 AM on January 18, 2011
Given that a lot of major banks are expected to ramp up fees in the next few months, finding your dream solution may only get harder. (Some discussion of this and possible options
here.)
USAA's consumer satisfaction defies belief... I have *never* heard anybody say anything about them beyond, "OMG, USAA, soooooo gooood."
posted by Sifleandollie at 10:39 AM on January 18, 2011
here.)
USAA's consumer satisfaction defies belief... I have *never* heard anybody say anything about them beyond, "OMG, USAA, soooooo gooood."
posted by Sifleandollie at 10:39 AM on January 18, 2011
Charles Schwab checking has these features.
posted by bananafish at 3:31 PM on January 21, 2011
posted by bananafish at 3:31 PM on January 21, 2011
They're not open for business yet, but Bank Simple looks promising.
Grar, their website is a mess, and their pics & bios make them look like a bunch of dabblers. I am all for moving away from brick & mortar but I think I will keep my money in my local credit union -- they have online banking too (and mobile banking soon), and they're nonprofit so their earnings are recycled into the local community!
posted by headnsouth at 6:52 AM on May 25, 2011
Grar, their website is a mess, and their pics & bios make them look like a bunch of dabblers. I am all for moving away from brick & mortar but I think I will keep my money in my local credit union -- they have online banking too (and mobile banking soon), and they're nonprofit so their earnings are recycled into the local community!
posted by headnsouth at 6:52 AM on May 25, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by boghead at 9:29 AM on January 17, 2011