They set the standard--others fall short.
Written: Sep 07 '01
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Customer Service: |
 |
|
| Web Site Experience: |
 |
|
| Web Site Load Time: |
 |
|
|
Pros: OUTSTANDING customer service, checking is free--really free
Cons: No rebates of other banks ATM fees.
The Bottom Line: USAccess Bank is friendly, secure and they cover all the bases a bank should. They aren't as well known as some others but they definitely set a high standard.
|
|
|
| scientist232's Full Review: USAccess Bank |
I have to admit it--I rode the wave of freebies that the dot.com boom delivered (the truism that if it's too good to be true, it's too good to be true notwithstanding). My review of First Internet Bank of Indiana was glowing and I meant every word, at the time.
But financial reality caught up with them and they began charging a monthly fee on checking accounts (like mine) that didn't maintain a $500 minimum balance. Oh, and the interest they used to pay on my balances--gone.
So call me spoiled but I picked up my couple hundred dollars and shopped it around. My standards were high. I wanted a checking account that: did not charge a fee just to leave my money with them instead of under a mattress; did not insist on high minimum balances to stand by the "free" slogan; paid some interest (not that I'd get rich, but it seemed reasonable to ask); had a navigable web site; let me pay bills for free without jumping through hoops and would talk to me if I called for help.
USAccess delivered on all counts; transferring money into and out of one of their accounts is a simple toll-free phone call away, although I would have preferred online ACH transfers and they don't do that. I regularly call in to transfer a deposit from my local credit union and they have a secure system of verifying identity (I asked them to add a layer of passwords they'd require if someone called wanting to access my account--they obliged willingly.).
USAcess furnished me a small set of starter checks with what I gathered is a sampling of the choices of the checks they sell. Most weren't what I would have chosen but, hey, they were free and I don't write that many paper checks.
The web site is functional, not that pretty, but it works. I didn't want too much of their overhead spent on pretty anyway, if it's functional then I'll trust them with my money. The bill pay function is facile and well-done. It is a nearly seamless interface with another company that actually does the work and USAccess is careful to warn you that you're leaving their site (I guess so if the bill pay people screw up you know it wasn't them.).
What I find most impressive is that there are real people behind site--and enough of them to take care of MY needs. The customer service people actually answer their lines and speak with you (FIBI used to do that, but their responsiveness seems to have plunged.). I'm getting to a first-name basis with several of them and that's a feature I feared had been relegated to brick-and-mortar banks.
One downside: I'd gotten used to FIBI rebating ATM fees charged by other banks to use their machines. USAccess Bank doesn't do that but one of their friendly customer service people told me a way around the fees. Some large discount stores, notably Target or Meijer in my area, offer to let you take cash in excess of your purchase (however small). I've taken advantage of that loop-hole a time or two.
I don't leave a lot of money in a checking account; enough to cover the bills I pay and not much more. Why keep excess funds in checking when better investment vehicles abound? To make it easier for the banks? You've got to be kidding. Requiring a minimum balance of $500 to earn interest and to avoid fees on checking is just not reasonable, but unfortunately it's the norm. USAccess Bank is one of a handful (less a couple of fingers) of banks that don't require minimum balances to enjoy the fruits of their service. They talk to me when I need it and take good, verifiable care of my money. To me, that's what a bank should do.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
scientist232
|
|
Member: David
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Reviews written: 59
Trusted by: 16 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.