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