There are several things to consider when selecting a bank account. There are also several perks that many banks now offer. Some of these include interest, free checking, student checking, and free gifts. But what should you consider when shopping for a new bank account?
· Consider how much money you plan to deposit. Most banks have free checking but do not pay interest. The interest paying accounts usually require a larger minimum balance than the non interest paying accounts.
· Consider the number of checks you plan to write per month. The no fee accounts typically limit the number of checks you can write per month.
· Consider the bank services that you would like to utilize. Some of these include ease of finding ATMs. Other services include 24 hour customer service and Saturday branch operations. My favorite bank for customer service would have to be my credit union, Pentagon Federal Credit Union. They have 24/7 customer service. Call them anytime and they will be there, excluding holidays.
· Lastly, consider the number of different accounts you would like to set up. The more accounts you have with a bank, the more price breaks you are likely to receive. For example, you may have a checking account with one bank and then purchase a CD, open an IRA, and have a mortgage. The bank will consider this factor very favorably when you attempt to open another account.
With these helpful things in mind, I hope you will have a better idea of what to consider when shopping around for a new bank or bank account option. More information on this topic can be found at the bankrate.com website at www.bankrate.com.
