Banks have more presence while credit unions have more perks.
You might earn a better interest rate on your savings account @ the credit union but the lack of locations might drive you up the walls at times. Also, (something I learned from working for Wachovia) credit unions are not FDIC insured, like banks are.

If you're unsure, get into both. I have one account w/ Wachovia Bank and one w/ Partners FCU.

The problem is that I have to open a new account right now - so an employer connected CU isn't an option for a while.

Well, IMHO all banks suck at least a little :P

Wells Fargo is ever-present (in lots of grocery stores), and at least it's not BofA. I'm not saying they're wonderful, but they're decent enough. And you can always open a CU account once here and you see what's convenient.

Open an account at a bank convenient to you. You can always open another one when you get settled in CA.

Another for CUs. I have ECCU through my church, as well as OCTFCU (now Schools First). Credit Unions aren't always connected to jobs. In fact the one through my church I signed up online and have never stepped foot in their building.

How about this? ING Direct Checking Who needs paper checks anymore anyway?

I say WaMu.
:)

I'm a fan of credit unions first, then WaMu, as I've seen good things through them. I know little of Wachovia. You have pros and cons to each. I'm with SchoolsFirst FCU. As most of you know, I live in Utah now, which I figured would be a bigger issue with banking. I have had no problem finding and using ATMs out here to cash checks, get money, etc. Only fees are with non-networked ATMs, and it's rarely presented me with a problem outside of the SchoolsFirst FCU zone. There's an available ATM at least every major block. So, I'm keeping my long-distance CU account.

Maybe I'll open another one with a close-by bank, but I haven't really felt the need to.

I have Union Bank of California and I haven't had any issues. There are quite a few of them around. I had Wells Fargo forever and no issues there either.

I also have an etrade account. They will reverse out any atm fees you get charged by another bank for using their machines. I use that one when I need to get cash at an ATM and I can't find a Union Bank one.

Good to know, KS. J just got an eTrade account... Very interesting.