Archive - October, 2008

Fall Weather

October 19, 2008 in Life with 0 Comments

Today has been a perfect fall day. Leaves are changing and it’s cold but not too cold. I enjoyed the day by beginning with early church, an outreach project, taking a drive to Delaware (on back roads next to the water, which was awesome) and running some errands.

To top it off I’ve been driving around a 2008 Acura RL (fully loaded). Columbus Acura really likes me I guess. My TL is in the shop getting some maintenance done and this was my loaner. I hate to give it back :-) . I do like my TL though so it will be nice to see it.

This weekend saw the movie Max Payne… HORRIBLE. I would not waste the money to go see that movie. I thought it would have a better story line, action and overall be a better movie than it was. I think most of us that went slept through (or fought sleep) through the almost three hour movie. So, save yourself some money and skip the movie.

Life’s busy as usual. Working on finalizing my plans to move. It’s going to be a very much welcomed change and a chance to move on in life. More on that later.

Well, I better get off here and finish my chores for the day.

Later,
- J

Banking Advice

October 9, 2008 in Life with 0 Comments

So, September came and went. I’ve been busy beyond what I ever thought I’d be. I promise that I’m going to return to blogging… soon. In the meantime I had a question that I thought I’d throw out there for my readers to comment on.

I’m not normally one to talk about current issues but this is something that is starting to come “close to home” for me so I thought I’d throw it out there. I am currently a customer of National City Bank (NYSE: NCC) and have my main checking and savings there. Since there has been all these troubles with banks and corporations like WaMu, AIG, Freddie and Fannie, Wachovia, etc… I started watching the financial sector on a regular basis (thanks to Google Finance) and have watched my bank TANK.

So now there are rumors of National City Bank shopping around for a buyer. I know the last thing that you’re supposed to do is panic, run out and withdraw everything you have but let’s just get honest here. I really don’t feel like dealing with my bank being purchased. If it was like Chase buying them it’s one thing but the two “rumored” banks are PNC Financial Services Group Inc. and Bank of Nova Scotia. I am not thrilled by either one.

This brings me to a question, short of pulling out my money and keeping it taped behind my toilet and under my mattress who would you suggest I go to for a bank? Before anyone suggests it, please read this – I WILL NOT JOIN A CREDIT UNION. I’ve been a member of several credit unions in the area and HATE THEM ALL. Maybe it is the ones in the area or the ones I qualify to join but they don’t offer competitive rates, lower fees and “extras” that everyone on the internet touts credit unions having. With the credit unions that I’ve been a part of they’re highly inconvenient because they have limited branches and I’ve always had trouble with customer service (just ask me about how one credit union tried to steal $125.00 in cash from me at an ATM then only after I forced the bank manager to watch the security footage did they refund my money and subsequent NSF fees). 

Currently I’m thinking about moving to Chase but I’m open to advice. Here’s what I’m looking for:

  • Abundance of ATMs or “No ATM Fees”
  • Some type of rewards program, current I receive two points for every dollar I spend via check card, up to 200 points on “debit” transactions, 25 per bill pay and check.
  • EXCELLENT Online Banking Interface (Yet another thing that Credit Unions seem to lack on)
  • Obviously has branches in the Central Ohio area
  • I am not opposed to suggestions for 100% online banks. My “nest egg” is stored at an online bank (FNBO Direct) and I’m very happy with them but they don’t have a checking program
That’s really it. So, hopefully this will hit some other blogs or google and I can get some advise from the internet. Let’s get some discussions going in the comments!
Night,
- John