I'm in the market for a new local bank or credit union for my checking. I absolutely loved my prior bank and recommended them to many friends, but they just sold out, and I just don't like the account options that are available from the new parent bank compared to what I was accustomed to getting. That said, anyone have recommendations on Checking accounts?

General things I've liked about my current bank:

• No out of market ATM fees
• Local branch access (shared network or bank itself) in Houston
• Interest checking
• Free bill pay
• NOT a big box bank (hated too many experiences with the wells fargos, BOAs, Citis of the world)

We were in a similar situation recently. We live in East Tennessee and opened up an account with Suntrust when we moved here 13 years ago. They merged with BB&T to create Truist...and the merging of the two took place a few months ago. Fees went up, they closed half the branches in our area, and the customer service hasn't been the same. .

We ended up going with a local Credit Union...and I suspect that might be your best option.

Was wondering who Truist was. They are suddenly everywhere around me here in Dallas. Knew someone got bought out...

This is against the OP's criteria which I usually try not to do but if you can't find a local option I would give Fidelity a look. I've used them for many years now for checking. They call theirs a Spending Account. They meet all the criteria except for it being a "big box", I guess.

They should have local stores in Houston although there weren't be many of them. I just have zero need to use a physical bank, but if OP does then ignore this.

They have fantastic customer service in my experience via phone or online.

Agree. Hopefully can get some decent recommendations here

was it Community bank of Texas?

General area? Where are you located?

If I wasn't so lazy, I would close my PNC business account. They have been god awful as far as customer service since taking over for BBVA.

Charles Schwab

This.

I like my Schwab checking which I think fits most of your criteria. Their local branch isn't very convenient for me - but I don't need it much.

Someone mentioned Community Bank - that's who I have my business accounts with. They haven't switched anything over yet or changed anything yet that I'm aware of.

Ferris Wheel Allstar said:

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was it Community bank of Texas?

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Texas Citizens bank. Bought out by b1bank I think out of Louisiana.

LSB_2002 said:

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General area? Where are you located?

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Westchase. But willing to drive decently to get a branch. I dont regularly go into a branch, but being able to for cash deposits or just working through customer service issues not on the phone are a nice to have option vs strictly virtual branch.

Diggity said:

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If I wasn't so lazy, I would close my PNC business account. They have been god awful as far as customer service since taking over for BBVA.

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Same here, miss BBVA

First Bank of Bedias or American Airlines Credit Union would be my 1st calls

I like capital one but also have no need for a local branch or much interaction with their customer service team.

Truist bought/was BBT prior to rebrand. My wife's account switched over

10andBOUNCE said:

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Diggity said:

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If I wasn't so lazy, I would close my PNC business account. They have been god awful as far as customer service since taking over for BBVA.

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Same here, miss BBVA

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That's three of us

I'd look into Frost Bank and Veritex Community Bank. Both with Texas headquarters with the resources of a big box bank, and both making a splash in Houston.

Frost

Yeah Frost is good too.