Opening new bank account while in CH13

[imbroke2]

I was wondering if anyone had switched banks in the middle of their CH13? We are about a year in and I am frustrated with our bank. They keep raising fees for all kinds of things-$5 for a money order (no more 1st one free) to $38 for the 1st 2 days of an overdraft, $25 the next consecutive day, etc. along with ATM fees, etc. We try not to get overdrawn, use the ATM at our branches, etc. but it's in the back of my mind. I really would like to look at banking elsewhere especially one that's more convenient for us (drive-thru, etc.). Has anyone been able to change banks? I thought about this before filing, but never did it.
Thanks!

[magyar123]

Are your plan payments automatically deducted from your bank account, or do you write checks? If automatically deducted you better give the trustee ample time to change your banking information before any payments are due. If you make the payments yourself by check, don't worry about it - go ahead and change banks.

[DebtSlave]

Cashier's checks from the bank to the Trustee are expensive.
Use the Post Office/Western Union/ or get them at the Supermarket.

[imbroke2]

No, actually my payments are automatically deducted from my paycheck-no writing checks or money orders to the trustee. So that's not my worry. I'm just concerned with being able to open a new account at a new bank-checking and savings. I was wondering if it's doable. I know that banks are starting to check credit to open new accounts.

[Minnymouth]

Some banks will let you open a new account in bankruptcy and some won't...... just depends on the bank. As some check credit, others don't....

You kind of take your chances when you apply......

[imbroke2]

That's what I thought, Minny. I wonder if I call around and mention that I'm in a BK CH13 if that will give me an answer right away. I hate to go traipsing around with my kids looking for a bank with decent fees and then get refused because of the BK.

[chpxiii]

I had Bank of America here in Texas when I filed chpt. 13 in 2003. In 2004 (or 2005) I switched to Chase. I didn't tell them about the bankruptcy, I just walked in and said I wanted to open a checking account. They never even asked, either.

Then in 2006 I switched to Capital One. Got fed up with Chase. I walked right in and said I wanted to open a checking account - didn't mention the BK. They didn't ask either.

So I've switched banks twice while in BK, it never occurred me that I couldn't do so.

That's my experience.

[kmb]

I've also opened a Bank of America checking account and an ING savings account since filing for BK 13 in May, and I didn't have an issue with either one of them. I believe BOA did check my credit too, but I'm not sure if my BK was showing or not yet, as I applied within a month of filing.

[magyar123]

Try Washington Mutual. On wamu.com you can apply online for a checking/savings account. Just give them your name, address & phone #, SS # and driver's license #. Within a few minutes after clicking the "send now" button, they'll come back asking you if you want to transfer an amount from a different bank. If you say no they'll send you an email which then you can print out and take to the nearest branch where they will finish up with the rest of the account opening procedures, i.e. giving them the cash or check from your old bank account.

[imbroke2]

I'm a little nervous dealing with WaMu-we had our original mortgage through them before it was transferred before foreclosure, which the arrears went into the BK anyway. In any case I've had to deal with them and I'm not sure what they would say. Also, I need a branch that has a drive-up. I'm not big into online banking, but I like banks that have someplace I can go and not have to get myself and the 3 kids out of the car.
Would a smaller, not national bank be better maybe?

[magyar123]

You might never get any credit through them. but I don't see an issue about just opening a checking/savings account with them.
As far as "smaller" banks are concerned - please remember that smaller banks can easily fold and gobbled up by "national" banks.
Remember - if you're old enough - Crocker Bank, and First Interstate were bought out by Wells Fargo.

[southerncomfort]

I opened up an ING checking account no problem during my 13.