Free banking?

[Stealth3si]

Does free banking still exist today for California residents?

I recently had to close my Chase bank account because I couldn't afford the monthly fees and didn't qualify to waive them so now I'm looking for another bank, online or physical, that offers a basic checking account that is either fee-free, where there are no ATM withdrawal/deposit fees, or "free" where fees can be waived with regular withdrawals or deposits.

Does anyone know of such banks for CA people?

[Debj1951]

I live in Ohio, so have no idea about the banks where you live. Here I go to a FIRST MERIT, they offer total free checking with free checks, plus you get a nickle for every auto deposit, or debit use.
I would think you could ust go throug the pjone book, call your local banks & see what they have to answer. Our Senior building where Ilive has a Resident council - we have fund raisers etc & that acoount is a brach of where you bank. They have a $12.00 per month service fee, also we have to buy the checks, so we are in the process of switching banks. I refuse to pay to let someone use & hold my money.

[sdenimandlace1]

Does CA have credit unions, they do not charge fees. (I think)

[sweatytree]

I am currently with Chase and as long as you have Direct Deposit, they will not charge you for banking there.  I do no use my ATM card so I don't know how those fees are related.  I would go back in and talk to someone again.

[dexterjrh]

I used to have chase and i never got charge a monthly fee at all. What is your account, why not do like a free checking. Theres no fees for that account. Any bank i have been with have never been charge a fee for free checking. Now if you overdraw on your account then theres fees.

[Kiki1992]

I think it depends on what kind of account you want to open. I suppose you can open an account with banks like Bank of America and have an online account only. Everything will be free. make sure you choose paperless (online banking)

[tech2d]

I think it depends on what kind of account you want to open. I suppose you can open an account with banks like Bank of America and have an online account only. Everything will be free. make sure you choose paperless (online banking)

This is what I use. I don't mind not going into the bank. I saw in several articles that banks are slowly doing away with free checking due to the new government regulations. Wish ya luck!!

[sandersdebt]

My son and daughter-in-law just changed from Chase because of the fees they are now being charged. There are Credit Unions in California. Addison Avenue just merge with First Technology Federal Credit Union out of Beaverton Oregon. I have been with 1st Tech for years and they are wonderful. They have a web site where you can read about them. Those with accounts are members and the members have the right to vote to make major changes like adding checking account fees. They have ATM/debit cards, visa card, online bill pay, checking and savings accounts and to much more to list. I have traveled all over the US, including Alaska and never had a problem finding a free ATM as most credit unions are connected. The great part about credit unions is that they are in small towns that large banks like Chase and BOA are not in. They are also insured just like a bank. More people should check them out and if your into borrowing their interest rate is lower on loans and credit cards.

[jnjmolly]

I never trust free banking...my bank says free checking account and then i always get charged fees and i have to call them up all the time!...good luck

[elysee24]

I have an account called ebanking (a checking account) with bank of america and it's free!!

[Trebor64]

I dont think there is really any such thing as free banking any more no matter where you bank the federal regs have changed. If you use an non-bank ATM your bank is gonna charge you a fee.

[home_teachin]

Do you have Integra banks there? I use them for free checking.

[bretay]

I use Wachovia and have no monthly fees.They have a free checking acct.

[ancmetro]

     Free banking! Where? All banks charge something!

[manicamarketing]

I don't know about California, but I belong to a credit union in Michigan and we have free banking there.  We also have free checking which is very nice.