Is your bank helpful?

I haven't ever had any problems with my bank and I've been banking with them for about 4 years now. I've never had to go in and call them up about anything. They've worked with me rather well and I'm quite glad that they did. It made things a lot easier not having to mess around with the bank.

About 25 years ago I was in business, running about $1 million a month thru my trust account for real estate closings. The bank was just starting up & wanted as much business as they could get. A neighboring business was using them & had quite a cash flow also... so the bank sent a runner to us every day, free of charge. The bank was ready to help in any way possible. Fast forward 15 years or so. The small, friendly, local bank is gobbled up by a larger bank out of another county. The name is changed. All the people are gone except one. Their online computer service is atrocious. They are no longer open on Saturday. No where near as friendly & helpful as they used to be. On the other hand, still no fees. Still one friendly face that knows me personally & calls me by name. Even knows my voice on the phone. So there is some good left. When she leaves, I'll have to think seriously about changing.

My bank is pretty helpful. I go through a local credit union, so it's not one of those huge international giants that are just out to make money. The tellers know my name when I go in and there is always free coffee and snacks for the customers. I like it better than the national chain banks. The service is better and they don't ever try to trick you and charge you more money or give you things you don't want.