Best bank while on active duty?

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Posted: 1/21/2013 6:49:05 PM EDT

Hey. I'm currently using a local credit union which has been awesome, but I'm leaving for basic training (Army) in a few weeks and am looking for a national bank. Some people at my recruiters office suggested Chase or USAA. Any suggestions?

Posted: 1/21/2013 6:51:03 PM EDT

[#1]

USAA all the way. They get it.

Posted: 1/21/2013 6:52:42 PM EDT

[#2]

I use Chase. They have good online banking stuff. You may want to wait till you get to your duty station and see whats available.

Posted: 1/21/2013 6:53:12 PM EDT

[#3]

USAA or Navy Fed.

Posted: 1/21/2013 6:53:14 PM EDT

[#4]

USAA FTW

Posted: 1/21/2013 6:53:33 PM EDT

[#5]

I use USAA for banking and insurance.

I also got a car loan through them.

Quoted:

USAA all the way. They get it.

Posted: 1/21/2013 6:55:11 PM EDT

[#6]

USAA for banking and insurance.

Pentagon Federal for car loans.

Posted: 1/21/2013 6:56:04 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
USAA or Navy Fed.

A credit union geared towards the military is the way to go......I still use mine ,Tower federal, and I got out in 90

Posted: 1/21/2013 6:56:14 PM EDT

[#8]

USAA is the correct answer

Posted: 1/21/2013 6:56:17 PM EDT

[#9]

I stayed with my credit union.

Posted: 1/21/2013 6:56:33 PM EDT

[#10]

USAA - no contest.

Posted: 1/21/2013 6:58:05 PM EDT

[#11]

If you're in San Antonio or Austin, I'd look into Randolph Brooks FCU. If you're not eligible due to where you currently reside, then USAA all the way.

Posted: 1/21/2013 6:58:38 PM EDT

[#12]

USAA

Just don't use them for insurance. They keep all banking and investing services in house, but they outsource their insurance. I had the pleasure of being stiffed to the tune of $7568 by USAA insurance. They covered $5400 of the damage. About 2mo after this happened I was on a wine tasting tour and just happened to be with a group of USAA employees, one of which was the VP of Customer Service. I explained my issues to her and she apologized, then went to explain that they aren't actually an insurer, but are underwriters for another insurance company. She said they constantly have complaints on their insurance division and it causes major issues at the C-level of USAA, but right now they are under a pretty strict contract and can't do much.

Posted: 1/21/2013 7:04:17 PM EDT

[#13]

Another one for USAA.

Posted: 1/21/2013 7:29:53 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
USAA - no contest.

There is no alternative.

Posted: 1/21/2013 7:31:50 PM EDT

[#15]

I love usaa

Posted: 1/21/2013 7:34:19 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
USAA or Navy Fed.

I use both. Makes life easy for insurance and loans.

Posted: 1/21/2013 7:35:18 PM EDT

[#17]

USAA!!!

Posted: 1/21/2013 7:37:46 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
USAA all the way. They get it.

First post and all.

Posted: 1/21/2013 7:42:52 PM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:
USAA all the way. They get it.

Fpni, absolutely!

Posted: 1/21/2013 7:45:51 PM EDT

[#20]

USAA for damn near everything. Banking, insurance and mortgage. Been with them for ever and have never had a problem.

Posted: 1/21/2013 7:49:08 PM EDT

[#21]

USAA.

Posted: 1/21/2013 7:50:02 PM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:

USAA all the way. They get it.

Posted: 1/21/2013 7:58:05 PM EDT

[#23]

In case you haven't figured it out yet go with USAA

Posted: 1/21/2013 8:01:48 PM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:
USAA all the way. They get it.

Yep

Posted: 1/21/2013 8:03:27 PM EDT

[#25]

Has anyone mentioned USAA?

Posted: 1/21/2013 8:04:25 PM EDT

[#26]

USAA hands down. Navy Fed Credit Union and Pentagon Fed Credit Union are good as well.

If you are a member at one credit union, you can almost always use any other credit union for your banking. As far as I know, they are all part of the "union". It's convenient to have an account at one.

Posted: 1/21/2013 8:30:12 PM EDT

[#27]

First post.

Posted: 1/22/2013 11:29:33 AM EDT

[#28]

Quoted:

USAA

Just don't use them for insurance. They keep all banking and investing services in house, but they outsource their insurance. I had the pleasure of being stiffed to the tune of $7568 by USAA insurance. They covered $5400 of the damage. About 2mo after this happened I was on a wine tasting tour and just happened to be with a group of USAA employees, one of which was the VP of Customer Service. I explained my issues to her and she apologized, then went to explain that they aren't actually an insurer, but are underwriters for another insurance company. She said they constantly have complaints on their insurance division and it causes major issues at the C-level of USAA, but right now they are under a pretty strict contract and can't do much.

This is not entirely true. USAA does underwrite their insurance in house, but there are different levels of it. In some limited cases, based on risk, they will use a different company. USAA is its own insurance company, investment company, and bank. It is possible you were in a risk category, or using a type of insurance (motorcycle) that required them to broker it for you.

Posted: 1/22/2013 11:30:55 AM EDT

[#29]

Navy Federal

Posted: 1/22/2013 11:32:40 AM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:
Navy Federal

Posted: 1/22/2013 11:34:26 AM EDT

[#31]

My girlfriend works for USAA. The amount they do for servicemen is incredible.

Posted: 1/22/2013 11:35:25 AM EDT

[#32]

Quoted:

USAA or Navy Fed.

Posted: 1/22/2013 11:37:35 AM EDT

[#33]

USAA

They are one of the very few life insurance companies that don't have a war clause.

They also sell diamonds, in case you are looking to get engaged in the future.

Posted: 1/22/2013 11:40:08 AM EDT

[#34]

Quoted:
USAA

Just don't use them for insurance. They keep all banking and investing services in house, but they outsource their insurance. I had the pleasure of being stiffed to the tune of $7568 by USAA insurance. They covered $5400 of the damage. About 2mo after this happened I was on a wine tasting tour and just happened to be with a group of USAA employees, one of which was the VP of Customer Service. I explained my issues to her and she apologized, then went to explain that they aren't actually an insurer, but are underwriters for another insurance company. She said they constantly have complaints on their insurance division and it causes major issues at the C-level of USAA, but right now they are under a pretty strict contract and can't do much.

This explains a lot on why I had so much trouble with them with my insurance claim. I was thinking about dropping them all together over the whole thing.

Posted: 1/22/2013 11:41:07 AM EDT

[#35]

Quoted:
USAA or Navy Fed.

Yup. I haven't used USAA, but NFCU rocks. Been using them for 15 years. They are just a little slower with technology than USAA. I can now deposit checks with my smartphone app though.

Posted: 1/22/2013 11:45:43 AM EDT

[#36]

Quoted:

Quoted:
USAA or Navy Fed.

Yup. I haven't used USAA, but NFCU rocks. Been using them for 15 years. They are just a little slower with technology than USAA. I can now deposit checks with my smartphone app though.

It's arfcom, get both. That's what I do, so I have a local bank if I ever need one, and USAA for 95% of things I need a bank for.

Posted: 1/22/2013 11:54:53 AM EDT

[#37]

Quoted:
USAA - no contest.

Posted: 1/22/2013 11:56:28 AM EDT

[#38]

Whichever one your wife doesn't have access to (based on some arfcom curse threads I have read here in the past).

Posted: 1/22/2013 11:59:08 AM EDT

[#39]

Is there another bank besides USAA?

Posted: 1/22/2013 12:02:02 PM EDT

[#40]

Quoted:
USAA

Just don't use them for insurance. They keep all banking and investing services in house, but they outsource their insurance. I had the pleasure of being stiffed to the tune of $7568 by USAA insurance. They covered $5400 of the damage. About 2mo after this happened I was on a wine tasting tour and just happened to be with a group of USAA employees, one of which was the VP of Customer Service. I explained my issues to her and she apologized, then went to explain that they aren't actually an insurer, but are underwriters for another insurance company. She said they constantly have complaints on their insurance division and it causes major issues at the C-level of USAA, but right now they are under a pretty strict contract and can't do much.

I find this odd. When I was stationed in Guam, my house was broken into and an estimated $13K stolen. Minus the deductable, I had $11,500 check in my hands in about a week. Also, in Hurricane Katrina, they bent over backwards to get my car fixed ASAP. They charge a little extra, but they ease of service and dependability is very worth it.

Posted: 1/22/2013 12:02:29 PM EDT

[#41]

Just so you're clear

USAA

Posted: 1/22/2013 12:02:57 PM EDT

[#42]

Quoted:
USAA all the way. They get it.

This.

Posted: 1/22/2013 12:03:59 PM EDT

[#43]

Another vote for Navy Federal.
Used them for over 25yrs now, no issues at all.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Posted: 1/22/2013 12:04:36 PM EDT

[#44]

USAA. For banking, insurance, loans, whatever

Posted: 1/22/2013 12:05:37 PM EDT

[#45]

I would normally say USAA by default but Chase has the thing where you can take a picture of a check with your phone and send it to them for deposit. Not sure that USAA offers that and you'd easily find ATMs regardless of your Basic or AIT locations.

Posted: 1/22/2013 12:12:31 PM EDT

[#46]

Quoted:
I would normally say USAA by default but Chase has the thing where you can take a picture of a check with your phone and send it to them for deposit. Not sure that USAA offers that and you'd easily find ATMs regardless of your Basic or AIT locations.

USAA has that as well, plus you can go into a UPS Store and deposit the check there.

OP- USAA for banking, shop around for vehicle insurance.

Posted: 1/22/2013 12:13:46 PM EDT

[#47]

Quoted:
I would normally say USAA by default but Chase has the thing where you can take a picture of a check with your phone and send it to them for deposit. Not sure that USAA offers that and you'd easily find ATMs regardless of your Basic or AIT locations.

USAA was the first bank that allowed taking picture of checks to do mobile deposits. You can also scan a check on your home computer to deposit it. You can also deposit money at UPS stores. USAA has been a leader in new customer service technology for several years now.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Posted: 1/22/2013 12:16:23 PM EDT

[#48]

Quoted:
USAA or Navy Fed.

May choice also

I have a Chase account from a previous duty station and they are alright, but both USAA and Navy Fed are a better option.

Posted: 1/22/2013 12:18:41 PM EDT

[#49]

Quoted:

Quoted:

I would normally say USAA by default but Chase has the thing where you can take a picture of a check with your phone and send it to them for deposit. Not sure that USAA offers that and you'd easily find ATMs regardless of your Basic or AIT locations.

USAA was the first bank that allowed taking picture of checks to do mobile deposits. You can also scan a check on your home computer to deposit it. You can also deposit money at UPS stores. USAA has been a leader in new customer service technology for several years now.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

That's good to know, my wife does all the finances... I'll have to make sure she knows.