Who Has The Best Checking
Account In Central PA?
| Financial
Institution |
Most Popular
Checking Account |
Checking
Account Features |
Account
Sign-Up Goodies |
Interest
Bearing |
Overdraft
Protection |
Debit/ATM
Card |
| Allfirst Bank |
Direct Deposit
Checking |
No min. balance,
no monthly fees, no transaction limitations |
First 200 checks
free |
No |
Yes, drawn from
savings or credit card |
Yes, varies by
account |
| Commerce Bank |
Free
checking |
100% free, no
min. balance, no fees |
Varies,
currently none |
No |
Possible, on
approval |
Available
$25/yr. |
| Community Banks |
Free Personal
Checking |
No min. balance,
no annual fee |
None |
Yes,
varies |
Varies or
savings and ready-reserve |
Yes, no charge |
| Harris Savings
Bank |
Totally Free
Checking |
No min. balance,
no per check fee |
Varies,
currently yes |
No |
Possible, on
approval |
Yes, $12/yr.
prorated monthly |
| Legacy Bank |
Legacy Premiere
Account |
Interest rates,
especially at top tier |
None |
1k 2.25%, 3k
3.00%, Avail. 12/01/99 10k 4.25% |
Based on
individualcredit check |
No charge |
PSECU
(Credit Union) |
Regular
Checking |
No min. balance,
no monthly fees |
Free checks
forever |
Yes, no
min. |
Free protection
avail. |
Yes, no charge |
| PNC Bank |
Regular
Checking |
Expansive ATM
network |
Currently travel
certificates |
Yes,
varies |
Yes, linked to
credit card |
Yes, no charge |
| Vartan National
Bank |
No Frills |
No min. balance,
no monthly fees |
None |
No |
Yes, linked to
additional account |
Yes, no charge |
| Bank
Notes: Only PNC had a monthly service charge if the checking
account balance fell below a certain minimum Vartan Bank,
Community Banks, and Commerce Bank offer free checks to seniors
over the age of 50 and 55 (Vartan) |
|
