How do I choose a bank or credit union?

[CPO]

Thanks everyone!

I reread my posts and I hijacked this thread badly.

I now have it through my thick skull that I misunderstood the question from the beginning...then I was unable to understand the information.

I apologize. I was frustrated in my lack of understanding, and it's my own fault. Imagine that!

Thanks for all the good info from everyone, including lostinmich, the OP.

Best Regards,

CPO

[Spartan]

Avoid getting into Chex hell, unless you have no choice. It is 5 year in Purgatory. If you can live with no checking account for 5 years, ok then.

If you get reported to Chex and your account closed, the other banks may close your checking account too. That has happened to me. And then, most banks/credit unions will require you to pay back what you owe before letting you have an account, plus time out in some cases. Thus, you may be forced to repay any way. If it is not a big amount, then try not to get into the Chex system.

I got one more year in Chex purgatory...

[Spartan]

I am going to need to get a new bank and/or credit union for my financial affairs after my bankruptcy. How do I go about choosing a BK friendly one? I am looking for checking, online banking, online billpay, loans, etc. basically the whole financial package.

Thanks!

Lrprn listed a ChexVictim site. On that site, there is a special forum that lists all the 'friendly' banks in your state. Hope that helps.

[tay666]

Sounds like I am lucky.
I have two banks that will be completely unaffected by my impending BK.
A credit union here in town that only has my savings account, and my IRA (rollover from my 401k when my old job closed, so it's untouchable)

And another one one town over where I have banked for going on 22 years now. (checking, savings, and kids savings) It's one of those banks that only those who have lived in a small town would know. The kind that everyone who works there knows your name when they see you and asks about some of your family members. That will cover a check that clears before you make the deposite. (heck, when I was working the old job, they knew I drove by everyday on my way home, so if a check came in, and the funds weren't there yet, they would call me at work so I could deposite some money and avoid the insufficient funds fee)
The kind where I could walk in there today. With my credit a total mess, and still walk out with a personal loan in about half an hour.