Will the bank think I am crazy if I tell them I want a different checking account?

I pay $9 a month fees to a bank where I have computer banking. I keep a balance of about $500 in the bank at any one time. I notice a lot of ads which advertise free checking and banking. Will they laugh at me when I tell them I want a different account which pays me to bank there or has no fees behind it?
Will the bank think I am crazy if I tell them I want a different checking account?
No, they won't think your crazy. Many people don't like paying fees. They might be able to switch the type of account you have without changing your account number.



Reply:first, balance your checkbook so you can see how much money is actually in your account. then go to the bank, ask for a manager, and say that you want an account that does not charge a fee (show him a few printouts ou have about other banks). if he says he cannot do it, immediately withdraw the full balance of your account (according to your now accurate check book, so you do not overdraft). usually asking for a few hundred dollars like that and letting them know that you are closing the account as soon as (list off checks) clear, will typically convince him to keep your business.
Reply:I work at a credit union, and I wouldn't think you are crazy. When a bank charges 9 bucks a month, they are trying to weed out the people who can't keep that minimum balance in it. Find out if they have a free checking account, or go somewhere that is more user friendly. Switching stuff over isn't hard either, sign a few forms, make a few phone calls and you are good to go. Switching will only be as difficult as you make it.
Reply:I open new checking accounts at my current bank almost yearly. They keep making things better, but never automatically switch me to a better account.


The trick is that you have to have 2 checking accounts opened for at least a month. And you need to make sure that you have no automatic withdrawls from your old checking. No direct deposits either.
Reply:If your bank offers a Free account, just ask them to change it to that on the system. Same account #, nothing else changes. Just the stupid fee goes away.


As accounts have been made Free, banks don't change people's accounts that pay a monthly fee. They just let you keep paying.


A large bank took over mine a while back and converted all fee free accounts to theirs. They left all the fee paying ones alone and just grandfathered those in the system, letting them keep paying.



Reply:No, there is no reason not to switch to a free checking account. What is crazy is paying a bank to hold your money, while they use it to make investments and earn interest on it.
Reply:Not at all, if you are leaving then they will probably be more mad then laughing.
Reply:Go in and ask if they offer any no fee checking accounts.