Forum Discussion

Luckypenny's avatar
Luckypenny
Explorer
Jan 11, 2016

Banking, using an online bank, cashing checks, etc.

Hello there,
I have read a few posts on the subject of banking, but have not found anything conclusive to help me. My bf and I will be full timing in a few months. We plan on at least one of us keeping our current bank, and trying to bank online. We have Citizen’s right now.
On the road ee will be working for various employers, probably will not have the option of direct deposit, will likely be paid in checks (payroll and personal), and would like to know if anyone can talk about the bank they are currently using. We will be spending the first month traveling, the following 6 months in Montana. I am planning on using SD as my domicile, bf will be using WY. I’m also interested in using a bank I can deposit Money Order’s into, since if I accumulate a lot of cash (for instance from waitressing) I like to change it into MOs.

In the past, when I have done online banking, depositing checks using my phone, there have been a number of problems with it. One bank I used would not let me deposit personal checks over $200, nor would it let me deposit PAYROLL checks over $500. This was very limiting as you might imagine. Without a sticks and bricks location (or ATM in the state), my only hope to deposit the check was to send it to them and allow for 7-14 business days for processing. What a pain in the ass.

I was trying to look up several other banks that I could use:

It looks like Citizen’s has a limit on the amount you can put in as well, although it doesn’t specify the amount. It also prohibits you to mobile deposit Money Orders, traveler’s checks, etc.

Capital One’s terms and conditions don’t specify the maximum amount, just that there are maximums:
“The Services are subject to limits including daily and monthly limits on the dollar amounts of Images you can Transmit. We can modify these limits and add others at any time at our option.”

What banks do fulltimers (without direct deposit) use? What issues, if any, have you run across with these banks?

Thanks for any information you can provide!
  • Well first a couple of observations: Virtually all employers will have direct deposit capability so I really dont think that will be as big an issue as you think.

    Many will issue you a debit card and deposit directly to that. No fees are allowed on deposit or withdrawal of your pay from these kinds of cards.

    We use a great small bank in North Dakota which I will give you the name of in PM only.

    They have a really comprehensive web site on which you can do everything and it is very secure. When you sign in it will send you a text to your phone with a one time only code that must be entered before you can access your accounts.

    This bank is very responsive and you can get real people on the phone generally immediately when needed. Our checking pays us back all ATM fees even overseas. I really cant say enough good things about them. And in todays digital world you dont need some big international bank to be able to travel and get money.

    We are in our second going on third month in Mexico and have had no problems at all with the bank our cards or accssing their web site and doing everything from setting travel alerts to shifting money about.

    Pm me and I will give you the name of the Bank.
  • JAXFL wrote:
    I hate to say it but BofA has branches almost every where and you can deposit or withdraw from any of them/ATM. It is very covenant when traveling.


    I thought about them. I had them up in Boston and they weren't so bad. There is one in MT, but it's a ways from where we are staying. Do you have any experience with online banking with them?
  • simsfmly wrote:
    US Bank.... they do have daily limits of (I think) $2k.
    Correct.

    I photo-deposit checks all the time, and it works very well. 2k is the limit. I guess a workaround for that is to get multiple smaller checks.
  • I hate to say it but BofA has branches almost every where and you can deposit or withdraw from any of them/ATM. It is very covenant when traveling.
  • simsfmly wrote:
    We run a business from the road, and our issue is checks made out to our business that need deposited. So first, you need to make sure that these checks are in your name and its sounding like these are payroll checks.

    If you're going to be in one place for 6 months, you can set up a local bank account which you can do for check deposits. Use the address of where your RV is parked. We have one here in Texas.

    US Bank doesn't have the restrictions that you're mentioning, and they're located in South Dakota but they do have daily limits of (I think) $2k.

    Thanks for the info! I will definitely look into US Bank.

    I thought of another question, what do I do when I am no longer on the East Coast and I want to close my Citizen's account? Do I have to do that in person? Does anyone have any relevant personal experience to add to that? My last paycheck will be direct deposited into that bank, and will include all my unused vacation so it will be a big one.

    And unfortunately USAA is not an option for us. :(
  • Luckypenny,

    Have either you or your BF served in the military (or do either of you have a parent that is a USAA member)? If so, check out USAA - they have excellent banking services that fit all our needs as full-timers.

    Rob
  • We run a business from the road, and our issue is checks made out to our business that need deposited. So first, you need to make sure that these checks are in your name and its sounding like these are payroll checks.

    If you're going to be in one place for 6 months, you can set up a local bank account which you can do for check deposits. Use the address of where your RV is parked. We have one here in Texas.

    US Bank doesn't have the restrictions that you're mentioning, and they're located in South Dakota but they do have daily limits of (I think) $2k.