While most of the consumers we've surveyed say they are generally satisfied with their bank, there are plenty of others who are disgruntled.
Steve Beck, a competitive strategy consultant at New York-based CG42 says that about 25 percent of bank customers feel nickeled and dimed by fees and overdraft penalties at their banks. Some customers complain that their banks don't provide competitive rates. Others grumble that there aren't enough convenient branches. Of that group, Beck estimates that 8 percent will get mad enough to close their accounts at the country's largest banks this year, taking with them an estimated $229 billion in deposits.
"When a significant portion of a bank's customer base is highly frustrated and some are switching to another bank, that’s not a good situation," says Beck.
Many customers don't think there is much they can do to ease the angst they feel. More than 60 percent say switching banks is a hassle, says Beck. About 46 percent feel that moving their accounts to another bank wouldn't make much of a difference.
There are ways to improve the situation. Here are five complaints that bank customers tell us they have and some solutions to help reduce the aggravation.
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There aren't enough branches nearby. Sign up for online banking and download your bank's app to your smartphone and you won't need to head to a branch that often. A mobile banking app lets you check account balances, transfer funds, find the nearest ATMs, and avoid teller lines. The remote check capture feature allows you to deposit paper checks by snapping an image of them with your smartphone camera. "Active users of mobile banking had satisfaction scores that were higher than customers who got free checking," says Paul McAdam, who led a recent J.D. Power bank satisfaction survey.
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Customer service is poor. You can use our ratings to find the best bank for your needs. If you don't like the customer service at your bank, you may want to consider a credit union instead. They tend to rate more favorably than major national and regional banks, according to our surveys. Before switching, though, consider doing more of your banking online, or by using a mobile banking app. That's one way to get around poor customer service at a branch.
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Overdraft fees are charged too frequently. You can reduce the chance of being hit by bank fees by signing up for text and email alerts that warn you when your balance falls below a certain level. That way, you can make sure you have enough funds in your account. There are also other ways to avoid overdraft fees.
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ATM charges can add up. Don't let yourself become frustrated hunting for an ATM and paying as much as $5 in total fees to use one. Instead, use the cash-back feature commonly available at supermarkets, drugstore chains, and other retailers when you pay with your debit card. There is usually no fee for this. There are also other ways to beat bank fees.
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Late payment fees are too high. If you're late making a loan or credit card payment, for example, you can be charged a fee. You can avoid these fees by using the bill payment feature banks offer online to schedule payments so they are made on time.
If you feel that you'd be better off switching to another bank, keep in mind that making the move may not be easy, especially if you use services such as direct deposit and automatic bill pay. We've put together a six-step plan to help make the switching process easier.