How do you handle your banking while traveling?

[TrainChaser]

Do you use a nationwide bank like Bank of America?

Do you use your local bank or credit union and pay a fee to use the bank near you 1,000 miles away?

Or is there some other way?

All tips and hints welcome.

 

[WriterMs]

I use a nationwide bank. I have my social security and Amazon checks set to go in via direct deposit. I can check on all account details using the Internet. Back when I had individual client checks to deposit, I use a smartphone app (taking pics of the front and back to electronically deposit those checks).

There are no ATMs or branches of my bank where I am now (it is the armpit of America), but it is easy to get cash with no fee when I go to Target or such stores.

And, with the national bank, I can use my credit/debit card or bill-pay to pay every one of my bills via the Net.

Hope this helps.

 

[highdesertranger]

I also use a nation wide bank. however if I were in an area where I had no branches and were bringing in a paycheck I would consider getting another account with a local bank. at my bank I have been to some of the rural branches where they have computers for customers to use so you can do your online bill paying. but I have also been to areas where my bank has no branches. highdesertranger

 

[ldmccain]

Credit union that is a member of the credit union exchange.
Can go into any member union and it is like standing in my local branch.

Wandering Larry

 

[Almost There]

Mine is a little more complicated because I'm Canadian.

All my income is direct deposit in to my Cdn bank account at a credit union. From there I do a bulk e-transfer to a nationwide Cdn bank that has a US subsidiary. It's strictly an online bank, no s&b about it anywhere in the nation.

I transfer money to my US bank electronically. Along with my US bank account I have a US $ visa card issued by the same bank.

I use my charge card for some purchases, particularly on line. It's also available if I ever need repairs to the van or if I'm short on cash.

The debit card is used at stores like W/M where I can do cash back so that I'm always carrying some cash. I have a personal preference for how much cash I like to have on hand so when it starts to go below that figure, I top it up on my next debit card purchase.

All my bills (which are few.. ) are either automatic withdrawal from the appropriate bank or I pay them on line.

It's convenient, simple and I can balance my checkbook on line any time I want.

 

[ccbreder]

Check into the on-line banks such as Ally or USAA.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

I use a local bank (Eastern Bank) and plan on using it forever. They reimburse all my ATM fees, give me free checks when I need to reorder them, I can deposit checks via my phone, transfer money and pay bills online. I honestly don't know the last time I was even in a branch. It's been at least 3 years maybe longer.

 

[Reducto]

I use a credit union and do most of my banking online. Occasionally I have to hunt for an ATM that will accept deposits but making fee-free withdraws is almost never an issue. There are partner credit unions all over the country.

 

[Ella1]

Money ramble thread
https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-Money-ramble?page=3&highlight=credit+union
p 22 Many credit unions are partners (if that's a correct word) which work together. Mine has associate credit unions in many other cities/states. Though my money is here, with my account number and a photo id, I can deposit or withdraw, do standard transactions at co-operating credit unions.

CO-OP Shared Branch Locator - Credit unions empower people. CO ...
https://co-opcreditunions.org/locator/
CO-OP's nearly 30,000 ATMS and 5,000+ shared branches means you have more direct, surcharge-free* access to your money than most traditional bank customers do. ... Text a street address or zip code or "City State" to 692667 (my coop) to find the closest CO-OP ATM locations. https://co-opcreditunions.org/locator/

Text Text a street address or zip code or "City State" to 692667 (my coop) to find the closest CO-OP ATM locations.

Phone Call Call 1-888-SITE-CO-OP (888-748-3266) to find a location by telephone. There's a link at that site, or call your CU

I think I would carry a certain amount with me, possibly a prepaid credit card or three for emergencies, and plan to get money at the credit union near me, or, possibly mail --maybe postal money orders--to me at general delivery to a town where I was going. Hopefully that would avoid asset forfeiture if I was ever in that position.