Chase

Elite '08

90

259

Michael S.

Chicago, IL

In my experience, banks give out umbrellas when it's sunny and want them back when it's raining.

Apparently, not Chase. Apparently, it pays to bank where your employer banks. I am pleasantly surprised.

I needed to start anew having cancelled everything when I left my wallet on a CTA bus last week. Yesterday, I was in the Loop heading for the Blue Line, and there was Chase staring me in the face in what to me will always be the First National Bank Building.

"What the hell? I'm right here. Maybe I can open an account quickly. If not, I'll leave," I thought.

I walked in and was greeted by a no b.s. personal banker, David K. Beatovic. I told him what I needed, and what I didn't need, and I told him I was short on time. He respected that and didn't spend an extra second prospecting or trying to acquaint me with any of Chase's services that I was not interested in to accomplish what I needed at the moment.

I walked out fifteen minutes later, up and running with a no minimum balance, no monthly service fee checking account, with free direct deposit, free online banking, free online bill pay, and a United Airlines Visa debit card (I never knew you could get bonus miles with a debit card) that pays 1 air mile per dollar spent; all I had to do was supply my Mileage Plus number.

Funds availability is one business day (some banks love the delay game on this one).

Chase's $15.00 incoming wire fees are higher than the $10.00 fees I've assumed were customary for years, but their $40 outgoing international wire fees are lower than the $50 I've had to pay recently to wire money to Mexico, which I do monthly.

A nice start. I really didn't think it would be that easy, fast, or fee-free.

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