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Survey of US banks

Saludos, it is me again. I have been going around in circles here in Puerto Rico with the banks and they say that the problem is the terrorism, laundering of money, and drug traffic. I have decided that is much easier for me fly to New York and open an account there so my Social Security checks and stock market dividends can be deposited in the account and then I can wire transfer to Colombia whenever I need it. Also I want to have and ATM card that I can use in US and Colombia etc with a minimum of charges.

So I would like to have recommendations of what bank you people use in the US and Colombia and the experiences you have so far so I can go ahead and do the same. I am interested on one bank that may wire transfer money when I need it such as a new car etc. But will only be once in a while because I can handle purchases there with the ATM card and credit cards.

By chewy on Oct 18, 2007, 12:41 in Friendly Talkzone.

nine inch nails says on Oct 18, 2007, 14:46:

There you go bro. Some banks I think offer a set # of free withdrawals each month but may jip you some other way. Even if you have to make a couple per month at $3/trans. worth it for peace of mind and convenience.

The Hedge funds have all gone wild on us!

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msaucey says on Oct 18, 2007, 14:59:

Citibank... They wont charge you any fees if you use their ATM machines.... So, it depends on where you're going to be residing in Colombia....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

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msaucey says on Oct 18, 2007, 15:01:

CITIBANK, they wont charge you any fees...

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

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chewy says on Oct 18, 2007, 15:41:

Cartagena is the place for me. Any otther comments on banks please!!!!

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expatriate says on Oct 18, 2007, 15:56:

National Interbank in Indianapolis charges no ATM fees, and the account can be opened by mail. Almost any ATM will work with the card, no need to go searching for a Citibank branch.

In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile.

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chewy says on Oct 18, 2007, 16:06:

Thanks Expatriate, but how do you then manage to wire transfer from Indianapolis to your Colombia bank account?

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elk says on Oct 18, 2007, 16:59:

I use Etrade bank. You can direct deposit your retirement check into your U.S. Etrade account which avoids the ATM fee. I purchased my apartment here in Medellin using the ATM and depositing those funds/pesos into my Bancolombia account. The exchange rate is about the same as the current TRM rate. Leave your money in the U.S. and use the ATM...just my two cents.

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chewy says on Oct 18, 2007, 18:32:

Thanks Elk: How did you open an account with Etrade? Online? if that is the case, it sounds good, but what about large amounts of money to purchase a property? Will they wire transfer to my Colombia bank account if I need to do so?

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RussianFred says on Oct 18, 2007, 18:38:

I like banking in Panama, they have Citibank, BancoColombia and HSBC. Your money is very close about an hour plane ride.

Annual Drug Deaths: Tobacco: 395,000, Alcohol: 125,000, 'Legal' Drugs: 38,000, Illegal Drug Overdoses: 5,200, Marijuana: 0. Considering government subsidies of tobacco, just what is our government protecting us from in the drug war?--Ralph Nader

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alezzz says on Oct 18, 2007, 18:49:

This is what I got today on my Citibank Statement (California)

"Effective January 26th, 2008 we will impose a fee equal to 2% of the transaction amount (including credits or reversals) on all ATM and/or POS Debit Card transactions (U.S. or foreign currency) that you conduct outside the 50 United States or Puerto Rico.

This fee will apply to transactions made at Citibank and Non-Citibank ATMs"

http://www.vimeo.com/alexxx/videos

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chewy says on Oct 18, 2007, 19:18:

Well Alezzz, Citibank is way down in business as of late. In fact, they sold all their Puerto Rico branches to Banco Popular. Yesterday they droppd 57% of their actual gains. Still, is one of the largest banks internationally. My main concern is to transfer funds from a US bank to a Colombian bank account. This way, I may use the Colombian ATM if needed. But the wire transferring is what I am concern.

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pedro (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 18, 2007, 19:21:

Citibank should really spell out their abbreviations.

Whenever I see POS, I first think it stands for "Piece of Shit". Then if that doesn't fit, I try "Point of Sale".

Maybe this means I waste too much time on internet blogs?

que nota!

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chewy says on Oct 18, 2007, 19:42:

Any other bank suggestions? I am sure there are a lot of you out there that have done banking the same way I want to do.

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RussianFred says on Oct 18, 2007, 20:03:

For wire transfers use Washington Mutual the fees are $18.00. I have not found a lower fee.

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chewy says on Oct 18, 2007, 20:49:

Thanks Russian Fred: How do you go about doing this with Washington Mutual. Banks in PR will not wire transfer to Colombia unless you can justify the transfer such as supplying a copy of the purchasing agreement on a property and that is not guaranteed either. What I want to is open an account in the US and transfer all my money then wire transfer to my own account in Colombia.

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scotty says on Oct 19, 2007, 00:35:

Citibank scum of the earth, running a close second HSBC

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 19, 2007, 01:46:

My university credit union in Wisconsin wires money to Colombia via Citibank in New York as often as I like. The problem, I believe, is with the Colombian banks trying to comply with Colombian laws against money laundering.

I can get all the money I want wired to Colombia. Will the Colombian bank release the funds?

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miamimike says on Oct 19, 2007, 01:55:

I like Citibank Bank Direct(citibank's online bank) as well as Everbank for its foreign currency accounts.Everbank is unique!ING is also pretty interesting as well as good interest rates!

http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/03/21/which-online-high-yield-s...

https://www.everbank.com/

http://direct.citibank.com/CBOL/07/usa/thirdpartymedia/Default.htm?BT_...

Avatar Legend: Bush "If any of you Reporters are wondering, it was a Size 10"

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msaucey says on Oct 22, 2007, 15:44:

Actually, since you are in Puerto Rico... I think another alternative that you have that we don't all have is Banco Santander.... Those are available in Puerto Rico and in Colombia.... And banking with them is okay....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 22, 2007, 17:10:

Their ATMs give 200K max per withdrawal transaction. That´s a lot of fucking around with no fees. With fees, it´s a rape.

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msaucey says on Oct 24, 2007, 11:34:

I've taken out $400K per withdrawal from the one in Bogota....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 24, 2007, 14:49:

I wonder why their ATMs in Cartagena and Medellin limit you to 200K per transaction? Or maybe it was only their ATMs that I have tried. I pretty much just avoid them now.

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Robert Jorge says on Oct 24, 2007, 22:45:

Davivienda (sp?) allows 500.000 per withdrawal. I did this personally, multiple times sometimes, in Bogota and Villavicencio.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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Hyytekk says on Oct 13, 2008, 18:11:

Does anyone know if it's possible to open a bank account at the BancoColombia branch in Miami and then to make deposits in Colombia that can also be withdrawn in the U.S. I know the concern over money laundering and illegal activity makes that kind of thing difficult. And anyone know what kind of documentation is required to assure trust that all is as it seems and above board? I'll go to visit the Miami branch later in the week but wondered if anyone has any experience in that dilemma.

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casa_de_norte says on Oct 13, 2008, 20:25:

Russian Fred- 'cept WAMU doesn't exist anymore..... This will probably change...

"Why cain't we all jus' git along?!?! "----- The great Rodney King

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