Opening up a new bank account is not as simple as it may seem, and deciding which one to go with and what kind of account to open are both difficult questions to answer. Combined with the question of “what do I need to open a bank account?” you can be left feeling defeated and confused.
Switching banks is an equally tricky area, but there are a few signs you might want to look out for that may be signaling it’s time to make a change.
1. Fees, Fees, and More Fees.
Overdraft fees, penalty fees for not having a certain amount in your account, and even yearly fees just to have a regular account are all examples of the ways that banks keep making extra money off you. Oftentimes these fees are newly introduced and not something you realize until you notice your account amount has dwindled.
Once your bank starts charging you more than you can or are willing to give is when you should begin to consider alternative options for your banking.
2. You’re Not Getting Anything In Return.
There is a honeymoon period with bank accounts where they reward you for being a new customer and make a load of promises about benefits coming down the road. Unfortunately, there can be a lot of fine details at the bottom of a contract that doesn’t guarantee rewards past a certain point. The rewards lessen, and the overall appeal starts to die down. When your bank starts treating new customers better than the ones that stick around for years, it may be time to shop around for another bank.
3. Branch Closures.
Because of budget cuts and increased online banking resource, many banks are closing branches across the country. Unfortunately, many of us still need to go to the bank to speak to someone in-person on a regular basis. There are plenty of things that cannot be done online, and sometimes we just want to speak to a human to resolve issues faster. With increased branch closures, more of us are having to spend a lot more time trekking to a whole other city if we want to carry out basic processes. It’s not customer friendly, and it certainly isn’t putting you first.
4. Not Keeping Up with the Times.
Most banks are technology ready and you will find that many allow you to operate online banking with ease. However, there is a surprising number that just aren’t keeping up, which means that you can’t keep track of everything easily and from the comfort of your phone or laptop. It needs to be about your convenience as a customer, and that’s an area where many banks are currently failing.
5. Poor Customer Service.
The best way to keep customers happy is to provide them with a polite and helpful support team that values you as a customer and always looks to put you first. Unfortunately, there are a number of banks that seem to have forgotten this, and if yours has started to slide downhill in terms of attitude and overall helpfulness, it might be time to start looking elsewhere.
To Conclude.
It’s not always an easy decision to make, especially if you have been with your bank for years, but sometimes finding a new bank is the best idea for you and your future.