The Observation Deck

I'm shopping for a new bank. Right now I have a checking account at National City and all my savings at ING Direct. I'd really like to consolidate everything at one bank and I'm not super thrilled with National City.

Huntington looks interesting, especially with their new high-yield savings account. Anyone have any opinions on them as a bank?

Didn't they just buy Sky Bank?

David Lay wrote:Didn't they just buy Sky Bank?

Went and looked it up, it appears they did.

I also had an account with Key for almost 12 years before I switched to National City (because of a deal through work) a year ago. I always liked Key, they were friendly, but they're not competitive unless you have a gazillion dollars with them.

Look here for comparison info with up to date rates:

http://aol1.bankrate.com/aol/rate/bank_ ... line_flag=

The best rates with lowest minimum deposit seem to be either Third Federal, whcih does not have an office in Lakewood, or First Federal S&L of Lakewood, which does.

Grace O'Malley wrote:Look here for comparison info with up to date rates:

http://aol1.bankrate.com/aol/rate/bank_ ... line_flag=

The best rates with lowest minimum deposit seem to be either Third Federal, whcih does not have an office in Lakewood, or First Federal S&L of Lakewood, which does.

Add into that First Federal of Lakewood gives a ton back to this community...




.

I've banked at First Federal of Lakewood for years with no problems. I found they had few if any fees for checking, atm transactions, etc. And since I transfer funds to an ING account for higher interest rates, I primarily evaluate them on their customer services and online banking capacity, both of which I find top notch.

As of last September Huntington offers a free tote bag and thermos with the opening of a checking account. They are very likely to have bilingual clerks.

First Federal does a really great job!

I highly recommend them to everyone!

Great, I'll add FFL to the list of prospects.

I was with key bank and switched to national city because my brother and his girlfriend had no troubles overseas when they were with national city. that was just in germany, bosnia and italy though. I'd imagine it varies on the country you're travelling to.

But that was enough to make me switch to national city. I'm hoping to travel a lot in the future.

Yes I have been very happy with them!

First Federal of Lakewood is not just a community bank it is this community's bank. As other banks abandoned the community bank model, FFL stood firm. FFL provides talent and treasure to Lakewood's organizations, and schools. They believe in treating the community, their customers and their employees with respect. From my perspective as someone who looks for community partners in the businesses I patronize, FFL leads the way.

And they have great products. Their website and online banking is great. Their new home equity loan rate is the best in town. Their fully staffed offices are a respite from lean/mean, long lines, and no personality. Their drive up/walk up opens at 8:00 a.m. Give them a try.

And yes, I have family that works there. I also have family that works at Dollar Bank and National City. I worked for Ameritrust and other members of my family have been at Key, Fifth Third and Huntington.

FFl is my choice.

Oh, and Bryan, your ING account is offered by FFL's investment division.

Thanks everyone. I did a little research today on my options and also on banking deals offered with my employer.

In the end, I decided to go back to Key simply because of the deal I would get through their Key@Work program. As much as I wanted to go with FFL, it just couldn't match what I got through that program.

Now with that being said, FFL does look very attractive for other things such as a HELOC or home equity loan. I don't know why I hadn't considered them before, but now I have a place I can go for those things since Key is absolutely not competitive when it comes to loan products IMHO.