Best checking account in New England?

Phaseshift · ‎09-11-2020

Just moved to Massachusetts, thinking of getting another checking account out here to use as my main. Anyone have a recommendations?

Hex · ‎09-11-2020

Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) comes to mind. Headquartered in Marlborough, MA. They pay 6.17 APR on first $1K in savings. They have decent rates on car loans. They give you a free monthly Equifax mortgage score and have quarterly SP loan product preapprovals. They offer 2 Visa cards one without rewards and one with crappy rewards. You can set up your Visa card as overdraft protection for your checking account. Welcome to Massachusetts!!!

AllZero · ‎09-11-2020

NFCU and Penfed too. CU's to join for Savings Rate now and possible Credit Products later!

coldfusion · ‎09-12-2020

@Phaseshift wrote:
Just moved to Massachusetts, thinking of getting another checking account out here to use as my main. Anyone have a recommendations?

You don't mention what criteria would make it "best" but especially if you live within 495 Eastern Bank https://www.easternbank.com is a good bet.

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Artist formerly known as the_old_curmudgeon who was formerly known as coldfusion

800who · ‎09-12-2020

Service Credit Union

K-in-Boston · ‎09-12-2020

Welcome to the Commonwealth! Definitely have heard great things about DCU and Hanscom. From business dealings, Rockland Trust (not to be confused with Rockland FCU) has very personable customer service. Citizens is pretty big regionally, but their website will make you think a time machine took you back to 1995.

For national big banks, Bank of America is huge here after acquiring Fleet (who acquired Bank Boston) and if you have any Merrill Lynch and/or Merrill Edge accounts would be seriously worth taking a look at. Chase is also very new to the neighborhood and offers a lot of competitive products; you didn't mention which part of Mass you're in, and I am not sure if their footprint has expanded outside of Boston and the immediate suburbs yet.

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Pit-Smoker · ‎09-12-2020

Welcome to our Dirty Water!

Depending on your locatiion, there are a few great smaller banks in the area. You've already heard DCU, Eastern, and Rockland Trust... I would endorse these and add Enrerprise Bank to the North, Dedham Savings in the Metro South-Southwest (128 from Canton to Needham or so), East Cambridge Savings, Brookline Savings in those immediate- suburb areas. I work in Real Estate and have had good experiences with each of these groups. Colleagues in Worcester have noted Compass Bank is a solid group, too.

This area is filled with solid Credit Unions other than DCU as well, and many of these institutions cooperate with each others' networks to waive ATM fees (etc) so they can compete with bigger banks.

It's a decent environment to find a relationship that you can appreciate and grow in.

Rebuilding is like smoking a brisket: it takes a lot of love, the right spice, and a ton of patience. You don't rush a brisket-- it goes low & slow. Sometimes, you need a crutch through the stall. In the end, the process matters.
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2) Pay Down overall revolving debt aggressively and accountably, to under 30%, including my HELOC.
3) Don't waste the gifted 0% time on the student loans.
4) Ultimately, refi the house at non-usury terms.

SouthJamaica · ‎09-13-2020

@Phaseshift wrote:
Just moved to Massachusetts, thinking of getting another checking account out here to use as my main. Anyone have a recommendations?

DCU and Hanscom both provide 2-day early direct deposit, which is nice.

Each has a free checking account that provides all the functionality you could want.