Good local banks?

[Kyle H]

So in preparation for my move to Oakland, Im trying to find a bank. Im currently using US Bank and love them but it doesnt appear that they have any branches in the PGH area. Im mainly looking to hear your guys experiences with the various banks to help me decide. TIA

[The_War_Wagon]

College student, I take it?

For a large eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeevil corporation , PNC Bank really does alright by me. Free checking, no ATM transaction fees - they really are pretty convenient.

Get ready to get a bellyful of rants about "large eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeevil corporations" when you get to college. Such skrees are called "lectures" in Oakland...

[mojo]

PNC is the largest bank in the area. They will have the most branches, especially around Oakland. They have two in Oakland alone.

[meb351]

I live on the edge of Westmoreland and Allegheny County. I work for Citizens Bank. Ask me any questions I will answer them and I know the branch manager personally at Oakland. Citizens offers 3 rewards for the debt card, free checking, other nice services. PM me and I'll give ya my number and explain more about it if you wish. Also citzens now has ATMs in EVERY SUNOCO STATION ON THE EAST COAST also they have branches in Giant Eagles. The Citizens traditional hours are 9am-4pm Monday-thrusday 9-5 Fridays and 9-2 saturdays. The Giant Eagle branches are 10-7 Mon-Fri and 10-3 Saturday and Sunday. They are actually the most convienent bank in the area because they have twice as many ATMs as any other bank and more branches with later hours. PNC, Huntgindon, Dollar, First National, etc DO NOT have Sunday hours.

[meb351]

College student, I take it?

For a large eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeevil corporation , PNC Bank really does alright by me. Free checking, no ATM transaction fees - they really are pretty convenient.

Get ready to get a bellyful of rants about "large eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeevil corporations" when you get to college. Such skrees are called "lectures" in Oakland...

I used to be a PNC customer while in college because PSU has an agreement with PNC. I had my account compromised twice. In 4 years with PNC since I had them in highschool, and PNC would do nothing for me when it was PNC's fault. I have been with Citizens for 3 years now and can't complain (2 years in school 1 year working for them). My grandparents have been Citizens bank/Mellon customers since 1970.

[mojo]

I live on the edge of Westmoreland and Allegheny County. I work for Citizens Bank. Ask me any questions I will answer them and I know the branch manager personally at Oakland. Citizens offers 3 rewards for the debt card, free checking, other nice services. PM me and I'll give ya my number and explain more about it if you wish. Also citzens now has ATMs in EVERY SUNOCO STATION ON THE EAST COAST also they have branches in Giant Eagles. The Citizens traditional hours are 9am-4pm Monday-thrusday 9-5 Fridays and 9-2 saturdays. The Giant Eagle branches are 10-7 Mon-Fri and 10-3 Saturday and Sunday. They are actually the most convienent bank in the area because they have twice as many ATMs as any other bank and more branches with later hours. PNC, Huntgindon, Dollar, First National, etc DO NOT have Sunday hours.

I'm sorry, I'm going to have to call BS on those statements. I really can't see how Citizens has more branches than PNC and I'm very skeptical of the ATM stats too. PNC was HUGE in the area before thee bought Nat City, it's even more so since. Plus, there are PNC branches that are open on Sundays.

I used to be a PNC customer while in college because PSU has an agreement with PNC. I had my account compromised twice. In 4 years with PNC since I had them in highschool, and PNC would do nothing for me when it was PNC's fault. I have been with Citizens for 3 years now and can't complain (2 years in school 1 year working for them). My grandparents have been Citizens bank/Mellon customers since 1970.

I don't know your situation but 99% of time people's accounts get compromised, it's because of something they did.

[meb351]

I'm sorry, I'm going to have to call BS on those statements. I really can't see how Citizens has more branches than PNC and I'm very skeptical of the ATM stats too. PNC was HUGE in the area before thee bought Nat City, it's even more so since. Plus, there are PNC branches that are open on Sundays.



I don't know your situation but 99% of time people's accounts get compromised, it's because of something they did.

For the first comment I will post all of the NEW ATMS AT SUNOCO for PA alone its 5 pages single spaced 12pt font. Other than that Citizens is in 14 states with around 1500 branches all open later than PNC. So convenience factor if he's grocery shopping at Giant Eagle he can bank there as well.

Call BS all you want stop into a branch and ask a Citizens Banker or better yet come to my branch in New Kensington.

[lildobe]

Either PNC Or Citizen's will do well for you - as long as you aren't the type to Overdraft your account regularly.

I have accounts at both and have always been happy with the service I've received...

[meb351]

Yeah I have accounts at Citizens and Clearview FCU. The thin about Citizens and PNC in the Pittsburgh area is you either love em or hate em for the most part. It all depends on what options you have. I know PNC is big with the colleges and usually have an ATM on the campus. If you're driving a lot while here and shop at Giant Eagle Citizens maybe the better choice since you can earn extra fuel discounts.