Bank

[magid]

I've had my savings and checking accounts with Cambridgeport Bank for years. Now they're being eaten up by Citizen's Bank. I've heard that Citizen's has taken their ATMs off a local network, but other than that, have little information about them. I'm thinking that this might be the time to switch banks. I prefer smaller, local banks to huge conglomerates, partly just because I like supporting local businesses, and partly because smaller banks seem to treat their customers better.

I could stay with Citizens, or go to Wainwright Bank, which is looking to pick up some former Cambridgeport accounts. On the other hand, moving funds to Cambridge Savings Bank would mean I'd be using the bank that also holds my mortgage, which might be useful.

So, does anyone have recommendations for/against one of these banks, or have another suggestion I've overlooked?

Mood: not looking forward to changing all the automatic withdrawals and deposits

Comments

[jwg.livejournal.com]

I recommend Wainwright.

I have a personal account, our home equity loan, the business account for JWG Software Systems, and the non-profit account for Lavender Country and Folk Dancers (www.lcfd.org) at Wainwright Bank. I fell into Wainwright Bank a few years ago when Coolidge Bank and Trust failed, and the accounts were first transferred to Pioneer and then to Wainwright when they bought a couple of Pioneer branches.

They are a very gay friendly bank by policy. All my interactions with people there have been very good. (The no longer branch manager at Harvard Square was a cool bear.) Their computer systems are not very modern, but the web access is OK. ATM access is via many networks including SUM and they have no ATM charges themselves. The branch in Central Square where I sometimes go with deposits is usually quite empty so there is no waiting.

Thanks for the recommendation.

[magid.livejournal.com]

I'm a pretty traditional bank-user, not having done any online banking yet at all, so the modernity of their computer systems would not affect me much at all.

Central Square is convenient for me, and there's also a branch right across the street from the Diesel in Davis, which is also useful. I don't actually go to ATMs much anymore, so this is likely sufficient.

Hm. Seems like Wainwright is the majority choice (so far, anyway).