Bank recommendations, please

[doncoulter]

Although I've lived here for nineteen years without ever feeling the need for a local bank, I now find myself wanting one. I know there are many posts in this forum about local banks, but I also know that things change over time. So I ask for your current recommendation.

I just need the simple stuff: an account with a debit card, and preferably with no or low fees. A plus would be a relationship with a U.S. bank, with easy fund transfers from one to the other. Now that Banamex is CitiBanamex, would it fill that bill?

P.S. I'm aware of the Charles Schwab alternative. But in this case I really need a local bank.

Don

[jesm]

Don, we have had a trouble free and fee-free relationship here with Santander for 13 years. Same needs and services as you describe. They ended their working arrangement with Bank of America so no cross border deals, but it hasn’t affected us. Their website is intuitive, helpful and fully functional.
PS they have a small branch and 24 hour ATM right here in La Presa for super convenience.

[colleen]

I have had an account with Bancomer since before we moved here. Very good service and great interest rate for investments. They keep wanting to give me a credit card but I haven't taken them up on that. It worked very well when it was necessary to show income. I'd deposit a certain amount on a certain day then withdraw it on another certain day. Then I'd do it again the next month. Authorities couldn't care less where that $ came from. They have a daily limit of withdrawing, from an ATM, 8000 but you can also use the card to pay for whatever, over and above that limit. The ejecutivos have been very helpful every time I have a question or need help.

[roberb7]

About "working arrangements" and "cross border deals": Santander has branches in the northeastern US, and BBVA has branches in the southern US. (The latter are called BBVA Compass.) So, if you have a Mexican account with Santander or BBVA Bancomer, it would be worthwhile to ask if there's any benefit for you to open an account at the US counterpart.