i have two checking accounts- chase and M & T. I've had the M & T for years (used to be allfirst) and just got the Chase in NY. I can't stand Chase for transferring money!!! Grr, it takes a few days longer than M & T. And I put in a check (done this three times so far) and it takes a FULL WEEK for the whole balance to be available! I can't believe it! Is this standard? In my M & T, every check that is gonna clear, clears within 2 days. Both are free, basic accounts. Now I think i'm gonna just keep almost all of my money out of my Chase- just maybe $150 for $20 cash withdrawals for beer money since the ATMs are everywhere in NY. It just stinks because my direct deposit is set up for my Chase, since thats the only way to keep free checking. M & T is free with no stipulations. Grrr.
i think all banks are evil. anyway maybe try commerce. i just opened an account with them and am pretty pleased. also they have really good hours, and rebate up to $5 a month for foreign atm transactions. as far as the check thing, i think it depends on the size of the check and where it's from. i have direct deposit now, but at my old bank, they did this thing where the first $100 would clear the next business day, then $500 the next two business days. if the check was over $1000, or non-local, it would take forever to clear.