Chicagoist: Today in Everything Sucks: How Many Chicago Banks Will Fail?

Rob Christopher

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 08:40:20 -0600

I use ING Direct's checking and savings accounts. Safe and free of fees.

Kaonashi

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:22:31 -0600

I think you're absolutely right. I left Harris for WAMU when they first entered the Chicago market, and I'm damn sorry now.

TimmyMac

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:37:50 -0600

I'm not sure how to feel about this, but I can recall an 848 piece (http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/Program_848.aspx?episode=17439) way back in the good ole days of 2004 (August) that reported on Washington Mutual "continuing to invade Chicago's banking establishment." Kind of chilling to listen to it now.

ricky

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:23:32 -0600

in the same boat 100%

jmagic

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:48:16 -0600

yeah, i would say that these upper crust schmucks are in good shape. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-northern-trust-tarp-feb27,0,1587026.story

Spook

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:44:51 -0600

Uhm I guess you could consider Chase "stable" as any of the other sinking but "two big to fail" banks that includes Citibank. Both held up by US bail out dollars and the lack of a strong wind. My first bank account was at Riggs National Bank, known as the Bank of Presidents, embassies and diplomats. It was located on campus so it was free for us students to sing up. In Chicago Harris Bank was the only bank that would have me and my few warn duckets as a young wretch on my own like a modern day Oliver Twist. I was greatfull and have remained loyal . I'm proud to say that they have not been touched by scandal or employee layoffs. CitiBank now holds my mortgage at 6% FIXED, (I knew not to touch those adjustable rates!) and it use to be that every month when I paid my mortgage, the CitiBank employees would smirk at young Oliver for not doing the rest of my banking at a "real" bank ala Citi Bank, especially after I kept saying no to their free checking and "100 dollars for free" offer. Now those smirkers are all either laid off or scared which means too timid to smirk at my Harris Bank Checking and Savings account.

mhb

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:31:14 -0600

You know what's comforting? When the photo to illustrate the article entitled "BLIGHT" is from three blocks away from your apartment. Sigh.

hotwater30

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:19:04 -0600

Are you implying that Northern Trust is not ok financially? They currently have one of the best balance sheets in the industry.

that_girl

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:05:17 -0600

Despite the total corporate coldness of it, and their craptastic interest rates, I'm glad to be with Chase. At least they seem stable. (And we have a high-interest savings account elsewhere.)