First Command Bank
When I first signed up for this account, it seemed like a really good idea. I am a military spouse, and it is always good to have an account of your own just in case the worst comes about and something happens to your military loved one. I thought First Command checking would be easy to use, especially since it touts itself as being very military friendly and founded originally to help service members with their finances ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Command_Financial_Planning )...Well, my debit card works, my paper checks work, but my online banking experience has been less than satisfactory.
It seems that every third or fourth time I try to get into my account, it doesn't accept my password, and it gives me a hassle if I try to go through the "forgot password" option before it locks me out at login. Even when I do get the "forgot password" option to work, when I go to reset my password, about 25% of the time, that gives me issues, too.
Ultimately, I get locked out of my online access more often than not. Now, if that isn't frustrating enough, I get a message screen with the customer service 888 number that tells me I have to call for assistance with my account. Okay, gladly, so I call them, but their customer service is closed before 9pm EST, then there is enough of a pause to make most folk hang up. But, if you wait on the phone long enough, it does tell you that you can talk to someone about your “On Command” banking and then you can finally go through the menus and talk to someone about resetting your password. Why don’t they just tell you that you’ve reached the 24 hr service, instead of making you think you can’t get through?
However, FC does provide some exceptional services such as, in the event of a government shutdown or budget freeze, they will deposit the amount of a regular direct deposit paycheck that a govt employee should get even if the govt doesn't give it to them at that time (the bank will just take it back when the govt finally pays up). FC also reimburses Foreign ATM fees (ie: using a different bank's ATM) and doesn't charge the account holder ATM fees (for use of any in network ATM).
Unfortunately, the good is not enough to counter the frustration with their totally online banking and non-online customer service. USAA is much better as a service to military families, in my opinion.
It seems that every third or fourth time I try to get into my account, it doesn't accept my password, and it gives me a hassle if I try to go through the "forgot password" option before it locks me out at login. Even when I do get the "forgot password" option to work, when I go to reset my password, about 25% of the time, that gives me issues, too.
Ultimately, I get locked out of my online access more often than not. Now, if that isn't frustrating enough, I get a message screen with the customer service 888 number that tells me I have to call for assistance with my account. Okay, gladly, so I call them, but their customer service is closed before 9pm EST, then there is enough of a pause to make most folk hang up. But, if you wait on the phone long enough, it does tell you that you can talk to someone about your “On Command” banking and then you can finally go through the menus and talk to someone about resetting your password. Why don’t they just tell you that you’ve reached the 24 hr service, instead of making you think you can’t get through?
However, FC does provide some exceptional services such as, in the event of a government shutdown or budget freeze, they will deposit the amount of a regular direct deposit paycheck that a govt employee should get even if the govt doesn't give it to them at that time (the bank will just take it back when the govt finally pays up). FC also reimburses Foreign ATM fees (ie: using a different bank's ATM) and doesn't charge the account holder ATM fees (for use of any in network ATM).
Unfortunately, the good is not enough to counter the frustration with their totally online banking and non-online customer service. USAA is much better as a service to military families, in my opinion.
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Product: First Command Bank Checking
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