Good Bank (if you have a lot of money to beat the fees)
Written: Jan 13 '05 (Updated Jan 13 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: On-line Banking and Bill Pay
Cons: Customer Service on the telephone is not consistently great (or even good), fees
The Bottom Line: Use Citibank. If you can avoid the fees and like an excellent on-line banking service, I would recommend it.
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| mistyblue1's Full Review: Citibank |
Citibank: I've been a customer of Citibank (in NYC)for approximately 5 years. I opened the account with ease. I've enjoyed free checking and savings accounts with them, free on-line banking, excellent customer service, and making friends with their friendlier employees. However, over the years things change - as with everything.
When I first opened my account, one could get many things for free (e.g., checking and the use of another bank's ATM). At the present time, checking is only free if you meet one of the following criteria: you maintain a minimum amount of money with the bank or you have direct deposit into your account. For many people, the direct deposit part will put you in the clear. However, there are still many other people out there that do not fit into this criteria.
Regarding ATMs, if you are a Citibank customer and use, for example, "alternate bank X's" ATM, you will be charged that bank's fee - as well as a fee from Citibank. The fee is listed as "Non-Citibank ATM Fee." In other parts of the country where, I assume, Citibank is trying to create a larger customer base the Non-Citibank ATM fee is being waived. When I noticed this fee on my statement, I called and the representative with whom I spoke could not identify the fee until she called her supervisor. The fee was then waived for the one month (it was not a big amount).
Citibank customer service has been on a decline in the last couple of years. When I first opened the account, I was serviced by the most knowledgeable and professional people I think I'd ever met. However, as of lately, they either have to be reminded that they are on a professional call (one called my by my last name the entire call - no Ms. or Miss in front of it) and two could barely speak English (I had to ask for a supervisor).
Branch/Teller service for Citibank is dependent upon which bank you visit (here in NYC). Some branches are very easy going and others are very speedy and less courteous. Overall, the service is efficient and the staff is knowledgeable. (It's great when you go in after receiving your Federal Refund check and they don't make you wait for the check to clear.)
Citibank 24 hour banking ATMs are becoming more technologically advanced with the touch-screen machines. I've never seen one out of order (besides when they are filling them with money).
I am also a Citibank Credit Card customer and the customer service for this portion of their business is similar, but is good and less than satisfactory an equal portion of the time.
The on-line banking for Citibank is awesome. As long as you're computer literate and competent, you should not have a problem using it. Over the years it has changed, but always for the better. Purchases, debits, checks, credits, etc., are always posted quickly. Problems with the system are resolved quickly and professionally (when you call, they let you know and provide and ETA for resolution).
The bill payment service available for use in the on-line bank is fabulous. Before you make a payment or transfer there is always a prompt/check to verify that you mean to do what you are doing. If you make a mistake, there is always a way for you to correct it on your own. If you cannot, there is a messaging system within the on-line bank that you can use to send a message for help. The response to the messages are not immediate, so it may be better (for a time sensitive issue/large dollar amount issue) to call the customer service number.
Another function of on-line banking that is great is the messaging service. The bank is able to notify you of many problems via your account on-line. For example, I've received warnings about fake Citibank sites on-line created by "phishers" through the system and I've also received a message about a problem with a payment.
With on-line banking you can also link your Citibank credit cards to your banking account where all of your credit card activity will be on-line with your bank activity. This makes it very easy to see your purchases and payments for your credit card without having to have two separate on-line accounts. To make a payment to the card, using the transfer option instead of the bill-pay option makes the payment instantaneous.
Overall, Citibank is a good bank with good services. Take advantage of the on-line banking option - its probably the best route with less headaches.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
mistyblue1
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Location: New York, NY
Reviews written: 29
Trusted by: 0 members
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