Banks?
 

Hey - I have to open a new bank account and I figure I might as well pick a bank with a LA presence, if I can, so that I don't have to repeat this process in a few months. Any recommendations for banks that are good? That suck and should be avoided at all cost?

WaMu's been decent to me, thought I rarely actually interact with anything other than the ATM. They aren't on every street corner, but there's usually one around. Although they've got suspect taste in product managers.

I'd see if you can get into a credit union. Their presence is far and wide.

#1 in customer satisfaction for several years now:

Another vote for credit union - I would suspect you new employer is connected to one

I used to deal with a credit union but was annoyed at lack of ATMs. Today, I barely use cash so I figure that would be an ok way to go. What do you credit union people do for ATMs? Pay fees to other banks?

ATM at my workplace is very convenient, also seems that most credit unions have networked so there are several ATMs by me, I also will get cash back at grocery stores and what-not when I need it. Occasionally I will still pay an ATM fee, but it doesn't happen very often.

Another vote for the credit union. Will you be a federal employee or a contractor? See what credit union is used by the people you will be working with. We use Navy Federal, and Orange County Teachers Federal Credit union, both are great.

Very rarely do I need to go to another bank. The only times I can recall hitting a non-co-oped ATM is at Disneyland. My CU doesn't charge me (though the ATM does). Nearly all credit unions have co-oped so you can withdraw and deposit into their ATMs now fee free.

I am an OCTFCU member, and while there is an OCTFCU branch by my office, I have no idea what the credit union by my house is, but it's in the co-op network. I rarely need to go into the bank either, I can call and get someone on the phone within 2 minutes.

I also very rarely use cash, but if I know I need cash I'll pull it out at the store while I'm there.

Credit Union. I haven't gone elsewhere in 20 years.