Fidelity Bank-Perimeter Center Branch

Five stars for having a loose coin counter and turning my loose change in $ 130. Zero stars for having the wrong address – and making me drive round and round perimeter drive to find you. Address is 165 not 135.

My free checking journey started with SunTrust, then moved to Wachovia. Wachovia became Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo decided it wanted to start charging fees, so I moved to PNC. PNC followed Wells’s lead so I had to go on the hunt again. This led me to Fidelity. Their mailings to me always emphasized the FREE part of free checking, so I decided to give it a shot.
I’m about 6 weeks into my new «Totally Free Checking» account and I am… totally…satisfied. Why?
1. New accounts get a sign-​up gift. November happened to be stock pot month. It boils up some mean water, let me tell you. December was a stuffed lion. I think I recall seeing a golf umbrella in another month. Referrals for new accounts mean gifts for both parties, i.e. let me know when you want to sign up!
2. They buy back your old check pads (up to $ 25) and shred them for you. The pads can be from active or closed accounts, doesn’t matter. The idea is just that they are helping you transition over and adding a little incentive.
3. They have a coin counting machine in the lobby that will count everything you throw at it (all US coins anyway). Think CoinStar straight into your checking account, minus the crazy fees.
4. They don’t judge me because I keep very little in my account and do most of my banking online with other banks and credit unions. At least they don’t show it.
Speaking of online banking, their system isn’t the most beautiful nor modern, but it gets the job done. For the price I’m paying for my account (nothing), I’m satisfied. The staff here has also been very nice and helpful each time I’ve walked in. A true community bank.