US Bank - Free Checking

Average Score:

•   U.S. Bank Free Checking

  I opened up a free checking account with U.S. Bank a year and a half ago as a new employee. They required it for direct deposit to go into. I have since stopped working at the bank but I kept my checking account there. Their internet bill pay system has a very intuitive feel to it. It is very simple to use and my bills always get paid on time. It is one of my favorite features of the free checking account. I have never had any problems with my account or the bank. If I have any questions I just call the 800 number and they always have a prompt answer for me. I have went to several different branches and everyone is courteous. Sometimes the bank is understaffed so sometimes I have had to wait for a short time. The only thing is the account doesn't gain very much interest. It is best to only put small amounts of money into this account and put larger amounts into a money market account or a cd. Overall I would say it is a very sound and secure bank to do business with. It is a very conservative bank. I would recommend for anyone to open a free checking account with U.S. Bank.

  Posted by aimeesillygirl -- Aug. 2, 2009

•   US Bank

  I started this account with my bank after receiving a car loan through them several years ago. Over the years, the bank has changed hands twice and is now US Bank. I have the free checking and, overall, I’ve had a positive experience with this bank.
  What I like best about US Bank is the customer service. After my check book was stolen, the bank worked quickly to open a new account for me and did not hold me liable for attempts to withdraw money from the compromised account. Another time, an unauthorized auto-renewal put my account in the negative without me knowing, and that resulted in a few hundred dollars in bank fees in less than a week. The company that made the charges reversed them, but would not cover the bank fees. The bank reversed its fees, putting my account back in the black.
  One thing I do not like is the high pressure to sell you extra products like lines of credit and overdraft protection. I am offered these services almost every time I do business at the bank, but the tellers are polite in their attempts.
  Negatives aside, I would highly recommend US Bank’s Free Checking account. It’s easy, few requirements and the customer service is unparalleled.

  Posted by dynerolee -- Aug. 2, 2009

•   Great Account

  I have had a joint checking account with my husband at US Bank for almost 3 years and it has been great. We chose US Bank because our primary bank is a credit union in Tennessee and we needed a local bank in Missouri. US bank was walking distance from our house and the customer service reps were very friendly and helpful, and even offered free checks when it wasn't part of the promotion.

  We eventually got our home mortgage through US bank and I love that my mortgage can be paid and controlled through US Bank's online banking. I can also pay all of my bills online, some have electronic agreements with the bank so they are paid the same day they are submitted.

  The one thing we were a little disapointed with is that our Visa check cards were supposed to receive cash back on all purchases and that changed shortly after receiving them so now we can only get cash back at certain places (none of which we frequent). Now we've earned some cash back but not enough to receive it and we won't ever get enough to use it.

  The tellers at all of the branches I have been to have been excellent and very helpful. They work quickly and efficently and I love that my branch has a coin counting machine that my son can use to change out his coins for paper money.

  The free checking account at US Bank is definately worth getting if you are shopping around for a new checking account.

  Posted by sara.r.palm -- Aug. 2, 2009

•   My favorite Bank

  Us Bank has been one of the best banks I had for a long time. I've had this checking from US Bank for 3 years and I had no problems with it than the other banks I've been with. The service was great and a deposit fee in order to get the account was only $50 and no more. I choose this bank because it was very convencient where I lived. I loved the fraud protection. When I went on school shopping and I spent certain amount of money in one day they automatically stopped my card from purchasing anything until I called to say it was just me. It makes me feel better that my money is secured and being watched by professionals. I remember there was a balance on my card that didn't know about and they took so much money out that they gave it back when I told them I had no idea because I was not told of the situation. It was really weird because I didn't know anything about it.

  Posted by nescusa -- July 8, 2009

•   5 star service?

  This checking account is pretty good, comparable to my other account with Wells Fargo - as long as you never overdraft. Some account start out with lower fees and they stair step, this account came with high overdraft fees from the start.

  I was able to get free checks though. I just go to my local branch and ask the banker who opened the account for me and it's always free if I get the boring old ones.

  Fees for most everything are pretty low, and there are ATM everywhere. The customer service over the phone is really good, but the branch people don't always know what they are talking about. One time they told me I could use any ATM with no charge - when I was charged five dollars they refunded the fee for me.

  This is a good bank, especially if convenience is the most important thing.

  Posted by billybillyrutrut -- July 1, 2009

•   A Good Bank

  I have had this account since I was a graduate student. That is at least since 1997 when I started off with First Star bank. In general I like it enough to have stuck with them for over a decade. After the takeover in the late 90s or early this decade, initially I felt the service was bad, most likely it was just different from the previous management/policy. However I soon found this bank to be at the cutting edge of banking technology (online banking, etc.) and I began to like it better. One issue that I had with them was when they had a so-called mini statement you could print out from the ATM. They never informed the customer that it would cost them a $1 or $2. After I printed out it showed me that they had debited my account for that amount and I felt cheated. I am sure some people complained and they quickly rectified the problem. I have had occasional problems with ATMs not working but other than that they are pretty good. I am not much of a walk into the bank customer so my experience is all from online banking and I like it. If you are comfortable with this style of banking, I would strongly recommend this bank.

  Posted by jatesan -- June 30, 2009

•   A Studetnt's Opinion

  I have had my free checking account with US Bank for a little over a year now. I chose this one because it is a simple account with no hidden charges/fees. My parents also use this bank, so when I went off to college for the first time, when I needed money, all they had to do was transfer some money to my account. (My dad was on the account with me.)

  So far this is only the second bank I have dealt with, and I like the fact that if you are not near a computer to check your bank account online (which you can sign up to get – for free), you can call US Bank's free phone line and check up on your balance there instead. You can also “go green” and save paper by getting free online statements too!

  As of now, I have not had any problems with US Bank at all. However, you will need to be careful of overdrawing your account, since there is no “overdraft protection” with this free checking account.

  I would recommend this account to anyone who needs a “plain and simple” checking account that you can use for every day payments, without fees!

  Posted by becka -- June 24, 2009

•   very good bank

  I have had this bank account since I was a senior in high school and now I am a senior in college. I choose this bank because it was in the same town as I was going to go to college in. This is a well known bank and has many locations in the United States plus some overseas. As a student, I need all the money I can get, and since this is free checking, there are no hidden fees. There also is no limit on the amount of times that you can use your debit card, whereas other banks have limits. If you do use your debt card at a different banks ATM they will reimburse for the fee of the other bank as long as you bring in the receipt. The best thing about this bank is that as soon as you swipe your bank card, the money is deducted right away. Also you get your first order of checks for free. There are many other types of services that are available also. However the downside is that there is no overdraft protection. And if you do get overdrawn, they send you a notice in the mail. Overall this is the bank that I do recommend this bank to all of my friends.

  Posted by pbrewer -- June 24, 2009