[quote=flu]I think it’s more they are just trying to extort as much fees as possible from customers since everyone else is doing that these days… Just look at the stunt Verizon Wireless tried to do yesterday with the $2 fees, and then them backpedaling today…
At any rate. I ended up keeping two accounts.
1. Charles Schwab Bank + Charles Schwab Brokerage. I love the convenience of using mobile deposits and accessing any ATM anywhere for free.
2. Wells Fargo Bank: I kept them only because I have my mortgage serviced by them. And as a result, I’m part of this thing called a “PMA account”…Which makes almost everything free.. I get 1000 free trades each year from the Wells Fargo Brokerage account, and I never need to pay for a bank check, plus most of the minimum balances and monthly fees are waived.
I open and close a chase account every so often… Mainly because I hate them, and want to take advantage of the $150-250 credit they give offer each time, since I hate them so much.[/quote]
I’m with flu – Schwab is the best for free checking and brokerage. I’m hoping that party doesn’t end soon.
All of the banks have tons of liquidity that is not earning interest to cover FDIC insurance and operating overhead. We are all fighting for the few good deals out there, causing margins to thin on the deals we actually fund. I think the fees you’re seeing are going to be across the board as banks try to find ways other than loan growth to increase profitability.
