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

[Luckypenny]

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!

[obgraham]

I've used only Capital One 360 (and ING, its forerunner) for 12 years now. All deposits and all payments, and free ATM's most everywhere. Never a mistake, someone always available. Check deposits works okay if your scan/picture is good.

[JAXFL]

Luckypenny wrote:

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?

I do all my banking with them. Deposits, Debit Card, and auto pay. Works great.

[Ro_n_Joe]

PapaNIes60 wrote:

Second Chance wrote:
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

USAA gets my vote. Since they serve our armed forces world wide and have very few brick and mortar locations, they have a well developed online banking system. If you have any family that are using USAA you may be able to open an account with them.

3X on USAA. My father in law served and this allows my DW and I to use them.

[Old-Biscuit]

On-line banking via any bank/credit union....Large corporation like Wells Fargo/Bank of America OR small local bank like Dacotah Bank in ND.

Doesn't really matter...........just set up an on-line account
E-bills for any on-going/reoccurring bills
You can even send on-line payment to individuals
Direct deposit when available, deposit via ATMs/Banks--affiliates when possible, deposit via mailing check to bank as needed

We set up on-line banking prior to going Full Time and used it for 7 yrs.
We still use on-line banking even now after coming off the road

Banking now a days is so much easier/convenient with all the options.


I'm curious why you are going to use SD as 'domicile' and BF is going to use WY?

And have you checked into medical insurance coverage via either one of those states? Don't know about WY but choices via SD are very limited.

[Not_a_Clue]

We will be using Chase.

[TechWriter]

Tyler0215 wrote:
Wells Fargo is also nation wide. Ally Bank is completely online. I would think there is some way to deposit checks with them. I don't have any experience with Ally, just seen their ads. Wells Fargo would be as far down my list as BofA.

Couldn't disagree more. We were able to get a park model loan through Wells Fargo -- other banks wouldn't touch it.

Nevertheless, pick a bank with nation-wide presence. Wells Fargo has a smartphone app that allows you to scan a check into your account.

[phillyg]

Based on your described circumstances, it appears your best bet are nationwide banks like Bank of America and Wells Fargo.

[Nutinelse2do]

Sent you a PM

[PapaNIes60]

Second Chance wrote:
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

USAA gets my vote. Since they serve our armed forces world wide and have very few brick and mortar locations, they have a well developed online banking system. If you have any family that are using USAA you may be able to open an account with them.

[boshog]

I use JP Morgan Chase, they have a national footprint, allow photo check deposits of up to $5,000 per check with a monthly maximum of $15,000, not an issue for me :).

I like their smart phone app, very easy to use and intuitive, I can get cash anywhere that takes debit cards.

[GoPackGo]

Why open an account at a local bank if you're going to close it when you travel ?

I have full timed for the last 2 years and use Alliant Credit Union out of Chicago. They are in the top 5 largest credit unions in the country. I would recommend them whole heartedly. I have nothing bad to say about them. I do all my banking thru them and have not set foot inside any kind of bank in over 2 years.

I suggest you call them and ask questions. Just Google Alliant Credit Union.


What I like -

24/7 support via REAL PEOPLE when you call for support.

80,000 free ATMs around the country.

Direct Deposit

on-line everything including bill paying and statements.

They pay 1% on savings accounts and .7% even on checking accounts.

You can photo deposit checks with their app or deposit checks using an ATM. Or mail them in. You get instant crediting to your account when mailing in checks.

Instant crediting on photo check deposits.

Free debit cards

Free checking and free first box of checks.

[WyoTraveler]

I agree with Tyler0215. Wells Fargo is far down on my list also. Although I am in WY they allowed a stranger to walk into a Wells Fargo in Salt Lake claim they were my DW and without any I.D put a hold on our account pending a proper death certificate being shown close the account. They never tried to contact us in WY. Fortunately we happened to make a withdrawal and caught it. We no longer bank with them. They even admitted unknown person had no I.D.

Traveling I have thought about a natl bank like BOA. Put in just enough money to keep account open. We could cash checks, make deposits, and transfer funds as needed.

[CA_Traveler]

Luckypenny wrote:


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.

Ask Citizen's about the procedure and any associated charges. I'd hope they would mail a check or transfer the balance to another bank account (my preference). Expect a few days delay.

[2oldman]

Wait until you try to cope with medical bills. They're still in the 1950s.

[Luckypenny]

4X4Dodger wrote:
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.

PM Sent. Appreciate it. 🙂

There are several Temp services I have worked for (even one that I had a 7+ month assignment for) that have not offered Direct Deposit. In the past I have also cleaned houses (private residences) and normally those are personal checks. I would have to have a separate banking account for that for tax reasons, and would not want to open/close bank accounts as I travel for tax/reporting/audit reasons as well.

Also, when you get direct deposit with any employer your first check is given in person, the rest are issued with direct deposit. This has been the case everywhere I have worked for the past several years.