Moving money to different banks

[stressedNC]

How in the world do you know where to open accounts now that so many banks have been bought, sold, or merged with others? We are filing on Thursday and we closed our Wachovia accounts a couple months ago as our mortgage is with Wells Fargo, which of course owns Wachovia now and our car loan was with Wachovia.
We opened accounts with a local credit union, does anyone know if they are usually a safe bet as far as not being connected to other banks? It's not a lot of money but we do need it to live on.
Thanks

[Sazabelle]

Great question. I would like to know the answer to this as well. I'm also wondering if the banks will even let me close my accounts if I owe them money.

[Nicollette]

How in the world do you know where to open accounts now that so many banks have been bought, sold, or merged with others? We are filing on Thursday and we closed our Wachovia accounts a couple months ago as our mortgage is with Wells Fargo, which of course owns Wachovia now and our car loan was with Wachovia.
We opened accounts with a local credit union, does anyone know if they are usually a safe bet as far as not being connected to other banks? It's not a lot of money but we do need it to live on.
Thanks

I believe credit unions are ran differently than banks. I've never known of a credit union being connected with a bank but I could be wrong. From what I've been told, credit unions seem to be a little more lenient with things as compared to banks.

[JRScott]

Yadkin Valley isn't associated with any of the larger banks. My bankruptcy did not affect my accounts there at all. (I mention it because you said you lived in western NC district).

[eddiep]

StressedNC
You should be fine in a credit union and you only have to hold on until Thursday, once you file you are protected from everybody. You could call the cu and ask what if any affiliations they have with other banks, annonamusly (I know) of course.


Suzabelle
you can still close your account if you owe the money, the branches will not be aware of outstanding cc debt you have with them. If you are concerned, keep the account open and just take out your money.

[brokeasajoke]

I have banked with Wachovia for about 20 years. I stopped payroll direct deposit prior to filing but left my account open. I've gone cash only over the past month basically... Money orders, pay in person to utilities, etc...

I would like to use Wachovia for a few transactions this month. I filed 7/31. If I understand correctly, the bank can't mess with any deposits I make after filing? My BK included about 30,000.00 unsecured with Wachovia and another 1,500.00 with Wells Fargo. I'd really hate for them to try to seize or freeze the account if I make a deposit.

Is this correct that they can't do this after filing?

[Sazabelle]

StressedNC
You should be fine in a credit union and you only have to hold on until Thursday, once you file you are protected from everybody. You could call the cu and ask what if any affiliations they have with other banks, annonamusly (I know) of course.


Suzabelle
you can still close your account if you owe the money, the branches will not be aware of outstanding cc debt you have with them. If you are concerned, keep the account open and just take out your money.

Thank you for the information. I have a business account, a personal account, and a 2nd mortgage at one bank, with only $100 total in the accounts. And I have a loan and a personal account at the other bank, with only $36 in my account. I read in another thread that these accounts should be closed since I have cc debt. I'm worried that the banks won't let me close the accounts since I also owe them money. Due to my situation, I can't file BK for a few more months.

[jribe]

How in the world do you know where to open accounts now that so many banks have been bought, sold, or merged with others? We are filing on Thursday and we closed our Wachovia accounts a couple months ago as our mortgage is with Wells Fargo, which of course owns Wachovia now and our car loan was with Wachovia.
We opened accounts with a local credit union, does anyone know if they are usually a safe bet as far as not being connected to other banks? It's not a lot of money but we do need it to live on.
Thanks

you can do a google search; mergers/acquis.'s are always in the news. Also, if you call and ask (if you don't have a lot in your area you're chosing from) they will tell you who they are affiliated with.

I saw a list somewhere too; maybe something on the FDIC insurance website?

But google should def work.