If you live in California and are watching your Washington Mutual checking account transition to Chase bank, you feel my pain. I opened my account in Washington 5 years ago, and I’ve been banking in California for 4. Now that WaMu is Chase, I suddenly find that all deposits made to my account are unavailable for 4-5 business days. What the hell?!
According to their site, CA doesn’t transfer to Chase until October. They suggest continuing to use your local WaMu branch and to log into www.wamu.com like always.
Mmkay,
1) All of the branches I have seen are already Chase branches, and it’s only June.
2) If you try to log into www.wamu.com it just transfers you to Chase where you have to log in again.
How on earth could they think this acceptable? California is home to many transplants, and I’m not thinking they are going to wait 4-5 business days for their deposits from now until October.
So I’m asking you, “Which bank should I switch to?”
on Jun 5th, 2009
No, I’ve had no such problems.
All the branches in CA now seem to be labelled chase, and I continue to use my normal branch with no problem.
I can login in at wamu.com just as I normally do.
I did have a deposit get delayed in my business account, but that’s unfortunately standard policy for large checks. The expedited funds availability act http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expedited_Funds_Availability_Act explains the rules.
In the past you complained about delays when you deposited money via the ATM, and I suggested you go in to the branch, because they will clear more quickly. That’s part of EFAA as well. The banks have discretion as does your local branch manager. Once I got to know my branch manager and explained the situation (infrequent large deposits) they were much more helpful about clearing checks quickly. Now my branch manager moved to a new branch and I’m breaking in a new one.
In any case, I don’t think you should be having as much trouble with WAMU/Chase as you are. The transition has been relatively smooth for me so far.
on Jun 5th, 2009
Ah, I didn’t notice the fact that you opened the account in Washington State. That probably explains the difference.
Have you considered going in to the local branch, asking for the branch manager, and seeing if they can transfer your account to be local?
I know “Tellers have laser eyes” was your response to going in to a branch,
but I suspect it would help.
on Jun 12th, 2009
These banks, CHASE / JP Morgan < a commercial bank, are floating your bank dollars – to invest daily – in 24 hour trading markets, to make up for the life style they once had. In the interim, they hold your money longer on ‘big’ checks: LOL, over a $1k? and on small deposits as well – up to five plus days, before you get your money. Also they are shipping the checks out of the country via FedEx to be process for pennies on the dollar wages that were once paid here to do same.
Since the inception of the current global financial bubble as they call it, crisis to us, these financial institutions have been self-regulating. Meaning they make up the rules for their benefit as they go along – to make themselves money to offset for screwing everyone one in the housing/mortgage market where they frauded homeowners/lenders via their bank’s overinflated home appraisals and contracts with adhesion clauses, etc. This is a deficit of what some econ pros say is in the tune of ~=USD52,000,000,000,000.00 or $52 trillion.
Chase has no incentive to get software fully connected so you can bank seemlessly online, at all the branches or at the ATMs. Because they earn
more fees from you! So maybe in October the Chase bank tellers may have access to your account to help you concerns.
on Jun 12th, 2009
A post for your June 5th
Live in California but have a Washington Mutual account from another state?
These banks, CHASE / JP Morgan < a commercial bank, are floating your bank dollars – to invest daily – in 24 hour trading markets, to make up for the life style they once had. In the interim, they hold your money longer on ‘big’ checks: LOL, over a $1k? and on small deposits as well – up to five plus days, before you get your money. Also they are shipping the checks out of the country via FedEx to be process for pennies on the dollar wages that were once paid here to do same.
Since the inception of the current global financial bubble as they call it, crisis to us, these financial institutions have been self-regulating. Meaning they make up the rules for their benefit as they go along – to make themselves money to offset for screwing everyone one in the housing/mortgage market where they frauded homeowners/lenders via their bank’s REITs, overinflated home appraisals and contracts with adhesion clauses, etc. This is a deficit of what some econ pros say is in the tune of ~=USD52,000,000,000,000.00 or $52 trillion.
Someone has to pay for the $52 trillion, and it is the little depositor. You and I. Chase has no incentive to get software fully connected so you can bank seemlessly online, at all the branches or at the ATMs. Because they earn
more fees from you! So maybe in October the Chase bank tellers may have access to your account to help you concerns.
on Jun 18th, 2009
Agreed with Jason… And ALL OF YOU!!!
I remember getting my Wamu when I was 18. It was my first checking account. Since then it took me a few years to learn the banking game… like how much time it takes for a check that I wrote to clear… or how long it takes for Wamu to clear a check I deposited? Well the game has changed completely. EVERY check I deposit over $100 is held over my head for at least 5 days. They won’t even let me cash a check over $2500. Even if it’s a Chase check.
Beyond that… something magical happened. When the rest of the world takes about 3-5 business days for any check to clear after being deposited… Chase clears them the SAME DAY. But wait, there’s more! Say you wrote a check that was deposited March 1st. Today, March 2nd, you check your Chase account online. Balance is healthy. No checks cleared that day. You even check it close to midnight. Even the next morning on March 3rd. Nothing has cleared. Then later that evening, and sometimes even the day after that, the check has cleared. With the deposited date, March 1st, tagged along the transaction. It is March 3rd. And up til March 3rd there were no records of any checks clearing.
Then if you want to pour more fuel on the fire, if you didn’t have the balance to cover that check on March 1st, you will get an overdraft fee. Even if on the March 2nd you made a deposit that would cover that check 10 fold, and even though that check didn’t clear till March 3rd.
Oh, and let’s hope that deposit consisted of multiple checks of $100. Otherwise, any checks $100.01 and up will be held against you for 5 more days.
CHASE- CAN WE JUST HAVE OUR MONEY PLEASE!?!? AND THE MONEY YOU’VE ROBBED FROM YOUR BUILT IN LOYAL CUSTOMERS!!!
on Jun 18th, 2009
I have also had some snags with the new Chase in California.
Besides the 4-5 business days it takes to receive the funds from a deposit, they have a funky way of handling withdrawals. I went into my local Chase to get a couple rolls of quarters (for laundry) and some cash. The teller said that because I opened my account in Oregon (never mind the fact that was seven years ago and I have lived in CA for a year) I had to write a check to myself to receive the money. A bit confusing. After he processed the check, he gave me the quarters and a receipt. He said I had to enter a code from the receipt into a cash dispenser to get my cash. Arg! It used to be so simple. Now I am sitting here at home fretting over whether or not there was another receipt from the cash dispenser I forgot to grab. I don’t think there was, but who knows, it’s the new wacky Chase.
on Jun 21st, 2009
So what now??
I’ve recently changed my way of holding money. I opened a checking account with Union Bank of California and use it solely to cash my checks (they honor up to $5k for me) and lock up my cash in my safe. This requires me to live only on cash which actually has tightened up my everyday spending. It forces me to budget what I would spend one day at a time before I leave the house.
I canceled all auto-payments linked to my account and whenever I have to write a check or make a payment, I’ll deposit just enough money rounded up to the dollar into my account. This is the only way I can make sure the deposit is 100% available when the check clears. And I’m just sick of Chase using my checking account balance to measure up just how much they can take advantage of me every week.
I’m no radical, but I believe if enough of us ‘little’ people start stashing away our cash under our mattress instead of letting the banks rob and abuse us and play this ridiculous game they are playing with an unfair advantage, this WILL send a loud and clear message to Chase and the rest of the economy that we no longer trust our faulty banks to hold the few bucks that hold our livelihood.
on Jul 13th, 2009
I am in a similar situation. I opened my WaMu account in Oregon, was there about a year, and now I’ve been living in California for about 8-9 years.
I cannot make deposits to my local wamu/chase bank (it IS chase now) via the ATM, the option does not even come up. I’ve had very long phone conversations with Chase, they even sent me a new chase debit card, and it still does not work. Because of my work hours I am having trouble going to the bank to discuss it with them, so I now have several weeks of undeposited checks. I suppose in a way, it is good to know I am not the only one having problems.
Also, according to my bank’s branch, you cannot close down/transfer your bank account unless you go to the state you opened it in. When I opened a savings account in California, it could not be connected to my original account, because it was opened in another state.
on Oct 23rd, 2009
I imagine you've opened a new account somewhere by now. Chase systems in California will be online with the rest of country starting October 26. You should be set to bank at any Chase location with no issues. I'd recommend holding onto your original account because when it transfers over official to Chase you still get most of the benefits of WaMu Free Checking with Chase (Chase Extra Free Checking). If you plan on switching, and want to keep with a larger bank, I would recommend Wells Fargo.
Avoid Bank of America and Citibank. They are riddled with problems–most big banks are.
Wells Fargo & USBank are good for National Banks–but they still have some issues surrounding ethics, subprime loans, high fees, etc. Wells Fargo has the most locations in California + they will soon absorb Wachovia into their mix making even more locations.
If you desire to go local seek out a non-profit credit union.
Low fees, good loan and interest rates, and overall they have sound, ethical business practices. Plus, a lot of them are part of the CO-OP Network which allows to you make withdrawals, deposits, and use ATMs for free at other credit unions for FREE.
I live in Washington now and opened all of my accounts at credit union called BECU and couldn't be more pleased.
on Oct 30th, 2009
I HATE CHASE!!!
I was a WaMu banker and had to go through the transition to Chase. I was told I could use my Wamu checking card with no issues, then it stopped working while i still had a positive balance. I went to a branch and now say I HAVE to switch to a Chase debit card…
The worst change from Wamu to Chase is how long it takes a check to clear. At Wamu you could go in and deposit a check and that money would be available for you to use instantly. At Chase you have to wait 4+ DAYS…WTF!>!?!? I thought there were supposed to be a minimal amount of changes and only positive ones at that!?
Does anyone know of a bank in CA where the checks clear FAST, like Wamu used to?
on Oct 31st, 2009
I HATE CHASE!!!
I was a WaMu banker and had to go through the transition to Chase. I was told I could use my Wamu checking card with no issues, then it stopped working while i still had a positive balance. I went to a branch and now say I HAVE to switch to a Chase debit card…
The worst change from Wamu to Chase is how long it takes a check to clear. At Wamu you could go in and deposit a check and that money would be available for you to use instantly. At Chase you have to wait 4+ DAYS…WTF!>!?!? I thought there were supposed to be a minimal amount of changes and only positive ones at that!?
Does anyone know of a bank in CA where the checks clear FAST, like Wamu used to?
on Nov 9th, 2009
Chase will have a class action lawsuit coming soon – You can't have this many customers with the same fraudulent claims. We've never had Insufficient funds posted and now have 3 in one week, due to their check holding scam….
Speak up and speak out – call your local News station, Newspaper and keeping blogging about it. The message will get out really fast…
These are the same big banking scum bags that have helped put our economy in the garbage!
Pass it on!!! all the best!!