Going out of state to open Chase checking?

[Anonymous]

I’m from NH and wanted to open a chase checking account since I have credit cards with them. I’m technically out of their region so I can’t open an account online. I’m planning a weekend in CT anyway next month and they have a bunch of branches there. Does anyone know if I’d be able to open an account in a CT branch? Or does my NH address indefinitely disqualify me?

[wasCB14]

I'm not sure if you'd be disqualified, but as someone who closed a Chase checking account in 2017 (and in CT, incidentally) despite having four (now five) cards with them, I might mention...

1. The process of paying a Chase CC with a Chase checking account is fast and convenient, but the speed and convenience of pushing from Discover or pulling to Chase from Discover isn't so much worse.

2. Chase sends out various targeted promos to potential new and returning customers. Look into whether you can find a public promotion. Some promos do work in-branch.

3. Without a promo, I think the checking products are pretty unimpressive. With a promo, they are good but not amazing.

[Anonymous]

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@wasCB14 wrote:

3. Without a promo, I think the checking products are pretty unimpressive. With a promo, they are good but not amazing.

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I guess it depends on what you mean. 

Rapid reimbursement of fraudulent funds and a beautiful website are nice. Also, the Disney cards have decent perks (for a debit card). Chase also offers some nice features for our military members, so the military accounts can compete with USAA, except one can have a local branch. Overdraft protection fees are waived for all accounts when drawn from a savings account (whereas other large banks charge $12.50 per transfer), plus you can fix your error by 11 p.m without being charged a fee. Overall I think Chase is a very good bank with some of the most relaxed overdraft features and some of the best features out there. Will it pay 1.60% interest? No, but that's what investment accounts are for. 

[wasCB14]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@wasCB14 wrote:

3. Without a promo, I think the checking products are pretty unimpressive. With a promo, they are good but not amazing.

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I guess it depends on what you mean. 

Rapid reimbursement of fraudulent funds and a beautiful website are nice. Also, the Disney cards have decent perks (for a debit card). Chase also offers some nice features for our military members, so the military accounts can compete with USAA, except one can have a local branch. Overdraft protection fees are waived for all accounts when drawn from a savings account (whereas other large banks charge $12.50 per transfer), plus you can fix your error by 11 p.m without being charged a fee. Overall I think Chase is a very good bank with some of the most relaxed overdraft features and some of the best features out there. Will it pay 1.60% interest? No, but that's what investment accounts are for. 

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I've not had fraud on any of my checking accounts. I mostly just use them to pay credit cards. I've had good customer service from Schwab for other stuff, though. The rapid reimbursement may be from regulatory changes, I'm not sure.

Regular Disney-goers will generally have a pass that makes the debit card stuff superfluous. The perks don't stack.

Active duty military have a lot of good options.

I don't overdraft, though I know some others like the feature.

[Anonymous]

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@wasCB14 wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@wasCB14 wrote:

3. Without a promo, I think the checking products are pretty unimpressive. With a promo, they are good but not amazing.

---

I guess it depends on what you mean. 

Rapid reimbursement of fraudulent funds and a beautiful website are nice. Also, the Disney cards have decent perks (for a debit card). Chase also offers some nice features for our military members, so the military accounts can compete with USAA, except one can have a local branch. Overdraft protection fees are waived for all accounts when drawn from a savings account (whereas other large banks charge $12.50 per transfer), plus you can fix your error by 11 p.m without being charged a fee. Overall I think Chase is a very good bank with some of the most relaxed overdraft features and some of the best features out there. Will it pay 1.60% interest? No, but that's what investment accounts are for. 

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I've not had fraud on any of my checking accounts. I mostly just use them to pay credit cards. I've had good customer service from Schwab for other stuff, though. The rapid reimbursement may be from regulatory changes, I'm not sure.

Regular Disney-goers will generally have a pass that makes the debit card stuff superfluous. The perks don't stack.

Active duty military have a lot of good options.

I don't overdraft, though I know some others like the feature.

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You've lucked out so far by not having any fraudulent activity on your account, but many, many people out there haven't been so lucky. You and I both have a Schwab checking account (it's where I get my DD), but I have read stories on the internet about how their reimbursement policy is bad.  Based on what I've read, Schwab conducts the investigation first, and then decides (what could be) weeks later on whether or not the investigation wraps up and they decide in your favor. Chase on the other hand, reimburses your lost funds within one business day while the investigation is being conducted -- a definite advantage for those who only (or frequently) use their debit card.

Schwab customer service on the other hand is very good, and better than Chase's... But Chase's customer service isn't bad either, and much friendlier than Bank of America's branch employees.  I also find Schwab's lack of overdraft protection for ACH/checks to be disturbing... Why does it cover debit card transactions only? I want overdraft protection to cover all of my transactions. 

[Anonymous]

Chase is awesome for checking and savings bonuses!!! I'm going to get $1200 this year from Chase... $300 business checking. $300 personal checking and 2 player mode for personal savings... Another $300 each... They allow 1 bonus per calendar year.. No incentive at all to keep their accounts long term.

[Anonymous]

I did open my account online and when I initiated the savings account requirement related amount from Bank of America, they froze my online access. I had to visit the nearest branch in another state (120 miles drive) to verify identity. At the branch, I was asked to show if I had sufficient amount in my Bank account by logging into the online bank account. At the time of adding an external bank account, I signed in into my Bank of America account and successfully added the account. They still flagged it for some reason which was quite frustrating. I then deposited the amount using a personal check at the branch.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I did open my account online and when I initiated the savings account requirement related amount from Bank of America, they froze my online access. I had to visit the nearest branch in another state (120 miles drive) to verify identity. At the branch, I was asked to show if I had sufficient amount in my Bank account by logging into the online bank account. At the time of adding an external bank account, I signed in into my Bank of America account and successfully added the account. They still flagged it for some reason which was quite frustrating. I then deposited the amount using a personal check at the branch.

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I think you're very fortunate. Bank of America has been known to be "cut-throat" about new accounts and identity verification issues. BoA has been known to approve new checking accounts and then close them due to information obtained from Early Warning Systems, LLC. 

I once opened a checking account with Bank of America... It was approved, and then six days later, I went to log in and it wouldn't let me. I later found out they deleted the account when I called in to inquire about the login issue. The reason being? "Because we can." Eventually a letter was sent to me stating the reason for the closure was information from EWS. I'm not really sure why BoA doesn't conduct an EWS check before "approving" the account. Needless to say, my "good relationship" with BoA turned sour fast, but they somewhat made up for it by letting me have a Cash Rewards card.