US Bank -- I am happy
Written: Feb 24 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good service, error-free banking
Cons: I have no real complaints
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| poseidon's Full Review: U.S. Bancorp |
A byproduct of a good economy is the conglomeration of smaller corporations into larger ones. As revenues increase, companies look to expand and bring in even more revenue.
I started off with Central Bank in 1990. It was a smaller bank in Colorado, but it had a branch in the lobby of the building I was working in at the time. It seemed convenient to bank there, because I could just run downstairs and deposit my paycheck. There was also a branch close to my house, so I could make withdrawals as well if needed.
In 1991, the economy in the state started to pick up, and Central Bank and Colorado National Bank merged. My bank’s name changed to Colorado National Bank.
A few years later, an outfit in Michigan had purchased Colorado National Bank. The name of my bank didn’t change though, so I didn’t really pay much attention to the merger.
A little under three years ago, US Bancorp purchased Colorado National Bank. They changed the name again.
I’ve stuck around.
What I like about US Bank
I’ve honestly had no real problems with US Bank since they took over. Honestly, I had no problem with the bank before the merger.
I have a savings account and a checking account. Both pay a small interest rate on my deposits. They provide me with monthly statements on my checking account, and quarterly statements on my savings account. The statements are simple to read and make checking my account activity a simple exercise.
As long as I maintain a minimum balance of $1000.00 in my checking account, they continue to pay me interest and do not charge me a monthly maintenance charge. Aside from paying for new checks about once a year, my checking account is fee-free.
I use direct deposit for my paychecks. I’ve yet to see any errors on my bank statement. I do check every month. My balance is always correct to the penny.
Tellers do not discourage customers from using the lobby. When I use the drive-through lanes, the service has been prompt and problem-free.
They give me an ATM/Visa debit card. I don’t use ATMs (see my review), and I don’t use the debit card either (a review will come shortly). I have no idea if there is a charge for using the ATM card at US Bank locations or not. However, in their monthly mailer to me, they indicate they personally own 3,000 ATMs and have 1,000 branches in seventeen states.
There are branches in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois. Basically, if I need to do branch banking when I travel, I have access to my money. I like that idea.
The bank is mostly a full-service bank. They even offer on-line banking. To be honest, I’ve not tried this, mostly out of fear. I know charging items on a credit card is safe on-line, but I am still not convinced giving my account number and banking while I’m on-line is equally safe. The bank has not yet convinced me they’ve taken enough precautions to warrant the notion of banking on-line.
I have done some banking over the telephone. Frankly, I find this service more secure in my mind than doing it over the Internet. When I have switched monies between accounts, the process has been without problems and show up correctly on my monthly or quarterly statements.
What I don’t like about US Bank
I’m not sure if this is the fault of US Bank, or if the problem is with all service industries in general. Depending on which branch location I enter, I am treated differently.
For instance, when I bank in the Denver area, the tellers are friendly and happy to see me. They always greet me and offer to help. They always ask when the transaction is done if they can do anything else for me. If they see a long line, they will bring another teller up front to relieve the congestion in the lobby. They seem to go out of their way to do whatever is needed for the customer.
When I go up to the mountains where my parents live, there is a US Bank branch. This is a town where money talks and (insert expletive) walks. I find the tellers to be far less friendly, far less helpful, and can’t seem to shove me out of their bank fast enough. I have seen them have one teller in the lobby no matter how long the line grows. It was so bad, my parents closed their accounts and moved them to a different bank.
Two years ago, when I was looking to purchase my first home, US Bank told me they didn’t offer home purchase loans. They would only do refinancing of a home. My understanding is that you can do purchase loans now, but I wound up taking a mortgage with Citibank (see my review) instead. It would have been nice to do all my banking in one spot. Right now, it would be counterproductive and cost prohibitive to refinance because interest rates are higher than they were when I purchased my home.
Conclusion and Recommendation
I honestly believe the snootiness at the branch my parents dealt with is a product of the community. I won’t hold that against US Bank, because I simply don’t run into that in every other branch I’ve visited. Most of the tellers and staff have been exceedingly friendly.
I also have read nothing but negative reviews about US Bank. Maybe I’m easy, maybe I don’t expect the moon to be handed to me, or maybe in Denver we just do business differently. I have had very pleasant dealings with US Bank.
I am going to continue to keep my accounts at US Bank. I think that speaks volumes concerning whether or not I’d recommend it. I’m happy.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
poseidon
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 - Top 200 |
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Member: Jeffrey Schwartz
Location: Sunrise, FL, USA
Reviews written: 511
Trusted by: 1097 members
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