Post bk, where to bank?

[jason0618]

So I'm in a chapter 7 bankruptcy due to divorce and medical bills. Once it's over, my attorney advised me to get a new bank and that it would help with my restart. That's all well and good, but I'm happy with my current bank so I hadn't given it much thought. What are the opinions of a good place to bank, or if I'd probably be just fine staying where I am. 

currently I have my checking with Navy federal credit union. I've been a member for years. Checking is adequate. I'm content there, mostly because I've been with them for like 20 years and I have all my bill payments and autopays connected. It's mostly the potential hassle of switching everything that I'm concerned about. 
if I switch, any recommendations on a good bank or credit union?  I'm in northeastern Ohio. Never have had a physical branch I've gone to, but I think I'd like a bank that has that available in my area. Bill pay, debit card, and an app. Probably pretty well standard at every bank now. I don't like to be "sold" every time I call or go in. I've heard Chase is kinda notorious for that. I don't know, just a new bank that's just as friendly and helpful as NFCU..  anytime I've ever called them with an issue, it's resolved on the first call. I travel a lot for work, so their fraud dept has flagged my account a few times, but it's always been very quickly fixed. Like while I'm still standing in a gas station trying to figure out why my car declined for $1.75. They text, I respond that it's me and they tell me to swipe the card again and it's all fine. Embarrassment averted. That's what I like.  Simple, efficient banking. 

[pizzadude]

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@jason0618 wrote:

So I'm in a chapter 7 bankruptcy due to divorce and medical bills. Once it's over, my attorney advised me to get a new bank and that it would help with my restart. . 

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This might be one of those situations where you should ignore your attorney's advice --- NFCU is probably one of the best places to land post BK as they're generally better than most in terms of credit limits / approvals for people who are rebuilding.   Also given your long history with them, you're probably in a better place than most.  All of this assumes that you aren't burning NFCU in your BK, which it sounds like you didn't. 

Having said that, I'm also a believer in not putting all your eggs in one basket.  So eventually it would probably make sense for you to seek out an additional financial institution.  But I don't think that jumping ship from NFCU will net you anything better than you'd get there, obviously any new bank / CU will see the BK as well. 

[sznthescore]

@jason0618  The suggestions and advice given by @pizzadude are top tier and makes a lot of sense.  NFCU has been there for me during my financial rough patches between fraud, bankruptcy, and rebuilding. Member since 2011.

[SouthJamaica]

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@jason0618 wrote:

So I'm in a chapter 7 bankruptcy due to divorce and medical bills. Once it's over, my attorney advised me to get a new bank and that it would help with my restart. That's all well and good, but I'm happy with my current bank so I hadn't given it much thought. What are the opinions of a good place to bank, or if I'd probably be just fine staying where I am. 

currently I have my checking with Navy federal credit union. I've been a member for years. Checking is adequate. I'm content there, mostly because I've been with them for like 20 years and I have all my bill payments and autopays connected. It's mostly the potential hassle of switching everything that I'm concerned about. 
if I switch, any recommendations on a good bank or credit union?  I'm in northeastern Ohio. Never have had a physical branch I've gone to, but I think I'd like a bank that has that available in my area. Bill pay, debit card, and an app. Probably pretty well standard at every bank now. I don't like to be "sold" every time I call or go in. I've heard Chase is kinda notorious for that. I don't know, just a new bank that's just as friendly and helpful as NFCU..  anytime I've ever called them with an issue, it's resolved on the first call. I travel a lot for work, so their fraud dept has flagged my account a few times, but it's always been very quickly fixed. Like while I'm still standing in a gas station trying to figure out why my car declined for $1.75. They text, I respond that it's me and they tell me to swipe the card again and it's all fine. Embarrassment averted. That's what I like.  Simple, efficient banking. 

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I don't see why you should switch from Navy.

As to your brick and mortar bank, since you're in northeastern Ohio you should look for a good local credit union that accepts members from your geographic location and/or employer. 

[ptatohed]

What is the attorny's justification for a new bank helping with a restart?  

[AndySoCal]

@jason0618  Here is an article that might help point you in the right direction. In the article there are recommendations by state

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/checking/second-chance-checking-by-state/ 

Hope this helps

[jason0618]

Just that it will prevent anybody I may have forgotten about telling an auto payment or whatever. Said it would not be a common thing but it can happen and a new account just reduces the potential hassle. I’ll probably just stay where I’m at

[Guyatthebeach]

@jason0618,

Are you including NFCU in your bankruptcy? If so I would move your accounts elsewhere.  If Navy Federal isn't included in your bankruptcy, then keep them.

In the event you have to switch financial institutions, take a look at PNC.  After my bankruptcy, I used them as my main bank.  I got the secured Visa and they put a national travel advisory on my card. I just had to call every 6 months to renew the advisory.  I never had a declined transaction.  Their online banking platform is old but honestly I never had an issue. 

Guyatthebeach