I live in Dayton, OH and in the next two or three years I will also
live in Boston and Washington D.C.  I am looking for a bank that is in
all three of these locations.  The bank I currently bank with is only
in Ohio.  So I need a list of banks that are in all three locations,
and additionally, I need to know if the bank allows you to manage your
accounts online and pay bills online from your bank account online.

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Request for Question Clarification by inquisitive-ga on 20 Jun 2002 17:28 PDT

Hi elizabeth199,

Do the banks have to have actual physical branches in all three
cities? Or would it be OK to have ATMs and full online banking
services?

Thanks

inquisitive-ga

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Clarification of Question by elizabeth199-ga on 21 Jun 2002 06:52 PDT

I don't need branches in all cities as long as I can deposit and
withdraw money via an atm and the bank has online banking.

Also, given the comment to my question, the following will suffice if
anyone is able to find it... a bank that is in Dayton/Cinci AND D.C.
and then one that is in D.C. and Boston.  But if the commenter is
right, this doesn't exisit eaither.  Otherwise I guess I will just
have to switch banks a few times.  Thanks for the help.  Elizabeth

Hi Elizabeth,

I think I've got just the bank for you:

NetBank
http://www.netbank.com

NetBank's services include free online banking, free online bill
paying, and a range of full service banking products, such as loans
and investments, online.  Additionally, they accept ATM deposits
through a nationwide network once you're out of your 120 day "new
account" period.  Deposits may be made by mail or wire transfer during
the new account period, and NetBank provides you with postpaid,
preaddressed envelopes.
 
Checking accounts are interest bearing, include a Visa Checkcard and
your first box of checks is free.

Here are the locations of deposit taking ATMs in the three cities
you've mentioned:

Dayton
http://netbank.know-where.com/netbank/cgi/selection?mapid=US&addr=&city=Dayton+&region=OH&zip=&phone=

Boston
http://netbank.know-where.com/netbank/cgi/selection?mapid=US&addr=&city=Boston&region=MA&zip=&phone=

Washington, DC
http://netbank.know-where.com/netbank/cgi/selection?mapid=US&addr=&city=Washington&region=DC&zip=&phone=

The only drawback is that funds deposited via ATM are not available
for 5 days - most employers offer direct deposit these days, though,
which nicely gets you around that.

I hope this meets your needs!

Much luck with moving!

missy-ga <-- Hates moving.  Likes banking in her jammies.

Great answer!  Will save me so many problems!  Thanks.  Elizabeth

Hello Elizabeth, 

I have searched the FDIC database http://www3.fdic.gov/idasp/main.asp
of branch banks for all three cities: Dayton, D.C., and Boston, and
there are NO banks that overlap in even two of the cities, let alone
all three. Sorry.

May I suggest an alternative - a brokerage account. Many of the funds
and brokers (Charles Schwab comes immediately to mind) have accounts
with debit card, check writing, ATM, and most of the conveniences of
banks. In addition, many maintain offices in major markets (like your
three cities), and though I am not familiar with exactly what they do,
I would imagine that they are acting as near to banks as the law will
allow.  Just an idea.

The other thought is that you could find one large bank in your base
city, and if your employer(s) has (have) direct deposit, a D.C.
employer could direct deposit to, say, Boston, and with debit cards,
ATM's and computer banking, the need for a nearby branch, if not
eliminated, is certainly diminished.

It was surprising that there was not at least one bank with offices in
these three cities. But with all of the consolidations occurring in
the banking biz - maybe if you wait 6 months, there will be!

Best of luck,
weisstho-ga

Hi commenter.  Thanks so much for your help!  I have emailed Charles
Schwab and I think that might work.  Of course, others are still
welcome to answer if you find something or have ideas.  Smiles,
Elizabeth