@30mm_goes_BRRRT wrote:Honestly, my meeting with Schwab was a lot less informative then I was hoping. I've decided to swap my main checking account to Navy Federal, open a HYSA with AMEX, and reallocate my TSP funds to be more aggressive. I plan to close my Alliant account in 3 months when there's no penalty (not worth the hassle to park $1K in a checking account just for a 2.5% catch-all card).
As for my Schwab account, I think I'll keep it open as long as it's free. I like the fact it reimburses all ATM fees, to include overseas. I also want to keep the door open once I'm able to max my TSP and invest more money through different avenues. Thanks for everyone's guidance and help!
@30mm_goes_BRRRT I too like Amex for the HYSA and Navy Federal moreso for their credit products at this point. I am pulling the plug on a few accounts too. I never belonged to Alliant but instead DCU which has really nice auto loan rates. I'm glad you figured out your path it sounds productive. Good luck.
@30mm_goes_BRRRT wrote:Honestly, my meeting with Schwab was a lot less informative then I was hoping. I've decided to swap my main checking account to Navy Federal, open a HYSA with AMEX, and reallocate my TSP funds to be more aggressive. I plan to close my Alliant account in 3 months when there's no penalty (not worth the hassle to park $1K in a checking account just for a 2.5% catch-all card).
As for my Schwab account, I think I'll keep it open as long as it's free. I like the fact it reimburses all ATM fees, to include overseas. I also want to keep the door open once I'm able to max my TSP and invest more money through different avenues. Thanks for everyone's guidance and help!
You got great advice and I like that plan, @30mm_goes_BRRRT. I also like Navy FCU and PenFed, but I had accounts with USAA also, so I have experienced all of those. When I was active duty over a couple of decades ago, online banking wasn't yet a big thing, so I normally took my deposits out in cashiers check and moved to a new local financial institution near my base, often the affiliated credit union. Today, you guys have lots more choices and don't have to move banking. 
Just in case you decide you want to put your toe in the water with one of the big banks, let me tell you about a good deal. Chase Bank is possibly the most military-friendly large bank. At the link below, you'll find special military programs for banking, small business and more. Both current servicemembers and veterans can open a Chase Premier Plus Checking account with no minimum required balance and no $25 monthly service fee; no Chase Fee for first four non-Chase ATM withdrawals monthly; no fee for Counter Checks, Money Orders, or Cashier's Checks; and no monthly service fees on affliated Chase savings accounts or up to two additional Chase checking accounts. There are additional enhanced benefits for active duty members. Sure, Chase doesn't compete head-to-head with credit unions on interest rates, but there's something to be said for their huge banking footprint and great customer service. I don't use Chase as my primary accounts but I have some and have considered making it more of a banking hub for convenience.
