How can I find a bank with branches in two states, and also good
internet access? I'm in NJ and want to allow a family member in
Washington,DC to have access to money. So I'd like to have a bank with
(a) branches in both locations--and with (b) good online capability,
so that I can make online transfers from the NJ account to the DC
acct.

How do I find such a bank? For example, I know Chase has good online
service, but they're not in DC, I believe. Can I at least get an
easy answer to part (a) above? (Can't believe I'm the only person
who's looked for a bank with branches in two states. Isn't there some
online source to find this out--a databank of bank branches, so that I
can key in "NJ" and "DC" and get a list of banks operating in both
places? (Or better yet, I key in two addresses and find banks within X
miles?)

Otherwise I have to do it bank by bank, which is pretty
tedious--especially since I still have to then learn which branches
are near home and/or work, in both places.

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Request for Question Clarification by missy-ga on 13 Sep 2003 11:32 PDT

Finding banks with branches in two different states is often quite
difficult, and even if you do find such, you still might not have an
easy time of transferring funds or setting up accounts.  My own brick
and mortar bank has branches in both Ohio (my home state) and
Michigan, but I cannot easily cash a check when I visit friends in
Detroit and Ann Arbor - the state branches don't "talk to" each other,
due to some interstate banking regulations.

Would you be interested in an online bank, which would allow you to
easily transfer money from your brick and mortar bank accounts to your
online accounts (via ACH) and still provide access for your relative
in DC via ATM card?

--Missy

---

Clarification of Question by bbb-ga on 13 Sep 2003 13:05 PDT

Oops. For the clarification, see my comment, just entered.

Hi there!

I've got a great solution for you:

NetBank
http://www.netbank.com

NetBank offers interest bearing checking, savings and Money Market
accounts completely online, eliminating the need to deal with going to
a branch to make withdrawals or deposits.

You can establish a NetBank account with just a $50 minimum initial
deposit, which you may fund by mail, online funding (ACH Transfer, via
NetBank's account consolidation service) or wire transfer from your
current brick and mortar bank.  Once you've opened your account, you
may also have all or a portion of your paycheck deposited via Direct
Deposit:

Deposit Options
http://www.netbank.com/banking_deposit.htm

After you've been a customer in good standing for 120 days, you may
also make deposits through designated ATMs nationwide.

In New Jersey, deposit taking ATMs are here:
http://netbank.know-where.com/netbank/region/US/NJ.html

In DC, they are here:
http://netbank.know-where.com/netbank/region/US/DC.html

Withdrawals are available from any ATM in the Cirrus, AFFN, NYCE or
STAR networks.

ACH transfers are electronic transactions conducted through the
Automated Clearinghouse Network.  They're used for online payments, as
well as bank to bank transfers, and can be initiated by individuals as
well.

NetBank's account consolidation service allows you to register your
current bank through your NetBank account, so you can make ACH
transfers from your brick and mortar bank (if they offer, and you are
registered for, online banking services) to your NetBank account, or
vice versa.

[ The list of reciprocal banks is quite long, but if you find for some
reason that your current bank is not in the list, NetBank will add it
at your request in just a few days. ]

I'm a NetBank customer myself (and have been for several years) and
have been quite pleased with the arrangement.  I can log in to
NetBank, arrange to transfer money from my account at National City
into either my checking or Money Market account at NetBank, or
transfer from one of those two accounts to my National City account,
with just a few clicks.  I can also view National City account
activity, without ever leaving the NetBank interface.  When I'm out of
town, I can still access all account features from any computer.

To give your relative complete access to the account (including online
statements) simply mail them an ATM or Checkcard (and PIN) and the
User ID and password for the account.

If you'd like to give them withdrawal/ATM deposit access only, mail
only the ATM or Checkcard and PIN.

I hope this helps you solve your problem.

If you need further assistance or would just like a little more
information, please don't hesitate to ask for clarification.  I'll be
happy to help.

--Missy

Search terms:  none.  Personal knowledge.

Very thorough and helpful information from missy-ga. 
(I'd also like to pay rlawr-ga, who provided a very valuable
suggestion, even though it was a brief one....but I'm not sure how to
pay, since the point was made as a comment.)

Wachovia has branches in both places and has on-line banking rated
well by epinions . formerly first union

Thanks to rlwar-ga -- I'll leave this question open a bit in case
there are more replies (i.e., more bank options or ways to search),
but I'll pay you in any case when I close it.

Missy-ga: Yes, I'd be interested in this too, but I don't know
anything about the ACH network, except that it involves online
payments. It's used by individuals? Please advise where to find out
about your suggestion.
Thanks.

I am not an authorized question answerer- give the money to a worthy cause!

*blink*

rlawr, that's the first time I've ever seen a commenter do that.  Name
the cause, and I'll send 'em $10 in your honor, because that was just
*classy*.

--Missy