Comments on: WaMu 3.75% FREE Online Checking Account

By: Sharon

Sharon — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:13:22 +0000

I, also was surprised one day when I was charged the $10 excess activity fee a few months ago. I suggested to customer service that a pop up might be beneficial before the actual transfer is confirmed. NOW TODAY, I checked my balance and found that they make the usual $25 transfer from my checking to my savings, but charged me a $33 overdraft fee! They refuse to reverse these greedy fees… if they can get money out of you, they will. BE AWARE!

By: Johny

Johny — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:12:37 +0000

Let me tell you guys, the latest news are: CHASE IS BUYING WAMU…. REMOVE ALL YOUR CD’S AND SECURE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. FDIC Insured cds usually take 1 year to get the money if the bank files bankruptcy or anything like that. Dont invest in WAMU…Thanks.

By: Jen

Jen — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 23:08:59 +0000

I love WaMu. I opened a free checking account back in 2004. Last month, I open the online saving account and loving it. I love the fact that I can link the Online saving to my debit card for quick access from the ATM.

The web site is fast and easy.

By: Tyler

Tyler — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 23:20:44 +0000

No that’s $187.50 in one year.

By: kay

kay — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 19:09:30 +0000

3.75% interest rate per month?

$ 5000.00 plus profit for 187.50 per month? Right????? I need to know.

By: M

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:20:16 +0000

About the ATM fees: They don’t charge the fee for WITHDRAWING money from the Free Checking account at a non-WaMu ATM. I have done it a couple of times and have never been charged for it.
However, if you do something different from withdrawing money, like checking your balance, they’ll charge the fee. I learned this the hard way.
None of the documents they gave me when I opened the account state this “feature” which I thought was odd, but it turned out to be true.

By: gd

gd — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:55:07 +0000

the service with WaMu is absolutely sub-par. i regret opening an account with them. the time to complete transfer is well over a week. it’s now been a month that the account has been funded. in a message from an online representative, i was told that a debit card was mailed to be on august 15th. i had not received so i followed up. today they told me that they can’t send anything out to me….even though they have my money. this is ridiculous!

By: BASHARAT

BASHARAT — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 16:32:08 +0000

WAMU is offering 5% APY 12 month CD

By: B

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:22:19 +0000

I don’t get it. Can someone clarify this for me?

WaMu Free Checking(tm):

“Free ATM cash withdrawals worldwide: Withdraw cash from your WaMu Free Checking account at any ATM and we won’t charge you a fee. Sadly, other ATM operators may still charge you a nonrefundable fee and foreign currency exchange and transaction fees may apply”
(located on website at http://www.wamu.com/personal/checking_account/wamu_free_checking/default.asp#1 as of 20080812 10:55AM US Central Time)

But then by clicking on the .pdf called “Our Fees and Frees” on that same page it reads under section titled “ATM & Debit Card”

“Non-WaMu ATMS, Domestic & International Transactions— $2 /each”
(located on website at http://www.wamu.com/NR/rdonlyres/E58D9C54-1024-49DE-878A-661CC5518942/0/OurFeesandFrees_060108.pdf as of 20080812 10:55AM US Central Time)

I called WaMu at 866.236.7766 to ask this question on 20080812 10:55AM US Central Time and talked to 3 reps:

1st Rep: stated that fees had recently been added to non-WaMu ATM withdrawals for said account

2nd Rep: concurred that fees had recently been added to non-WaMu ATM withdrawals for said account

Account Manager: stated that the website verbage (no fee) was correct and that aforementioned .pdf was for “all WaMu accounts”– ie, not specifically for WaMu Free Checking(tm).

When asked where the fine print could be found to support his (and WaMu’s current website’s) claim of no fees, he said that the only way was to go to a brick/mortar or start opening an account to see the exact terms.

Note that on the claim “Free ATM cash withdrawals worldwide…” found on the WaMu Free Checking(tm) webpage (see above), there is not a footnote or reference to other fine print that could qualify the claim that states “ANY atm”.

I would prefer not to go to a branch to clarify this, so if anyone has any insight…

Note, however, if for WaMu Free Checking(tm) accounts WaMu does charge fees ($2 each) for ATM withdrawals from non WaMu ATMs, isn’t this fraud and couldn’t users petition for refunds of those fees until the website verbage is changed?

Whatever the case, considering WaMu’s stock dive from a year ago and the fact that WaMu representives disagree on this simple (highly advertised) selling point, I’m thinking I’ll go elsewhere.

Thanks to the folks for hosting this site– it’s a useful one.
Happy Banking,
-B

By: Janna

Janna — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 08:34:32 +0000

Dan, I have WaMu branches in Texas, may I ask what state you are in with that rate? thanks

By: Dan Tanner

Dan Tanner — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 04:54:35 +0000

Well well you never know unless you ask. So I went into the branch and pushed the envelope. I asked them whats the maximum rate they have and to my surprise the lady pointed me to a big sign near the teller window. They have 4% in- branch money market rates.

They DO NOT advertise these rates on the web site. It differs from branch to branch and the financial centers have the best deal. Go inside and ask.

By: V

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 00:58:00 +0000

I can not find that ING checking rate???They are only in the 3’s

By: Frustrated

Frustrated — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 18:27:06 +0000

WAMU phone automation is horrible!!! Good luck getting someone on the phone. 0 and # do not work. Once a human answers they are very nice and helpful. I had to contact the loan phone number, which was staffed, (they know where the money is made) and have them switch me to a line for CDs.

By: Travis

Travis — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 02:26:46 +0000

John, Alden, I had the same problems, it took me like 10 tries to get approved past the security questions. I think the reason mine failed was because I listed my cell phone and home phone as the same number, since Im away at college. So when the question of “what is the number u gave us?” I was guaranteed to be wrong if I answered cell or home line. Be sure to list your home number even if u don’t use it, and answer the question as home number because they wont let u give your cell number as your contact number. Very stupid.
Also I think if your online savings balance goes under 300 for one day out of the month you get a $4 fee.

By: shraz

shraz — Thu, 22 May 2008 08:06:36 +0000

I just found out that when a CD matures, on the account summary you will see a big bold text saying: “This CD has reached its Maturity Date!” under the matured. They give you a bunch of information and even let you close and transfer to your checking/savings. AWESOME! WAMU is becoming a nice online site.

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 22 May 2008 03:16:31 +0000

There are several high interest online savings accounts options out there. The primary “advantage” that set WAMU’s apart for me was the free outgoing wire transfers. However, it was less than obvious (buried in the fine print as far as I could tell) that the only way to initiate an outgoing transfer was to do it in person at a local branch. Since I am in a part of the country untouched by a WAMU brick and mortar facade, this is not an option for me. This is very disappointing that a selling point used to market this product nationwide is inherently useless to much of the country (unless you do not care about such things). This is deceptive advertising in my book.

By: ANTIWAMU

ANTIWAMU — Fri, 09 May 2008 02:40:14 +0000

My wife Miel and I have had numerous problems with Washington Mutual. Namely, these have been related to problems integrating our on-line mortgage and checking accounts. We have also had problems with their on-line and telephone customer service.

After hassling with those guys for over 2 year, I would say AVOID WASHINGTON MUTUAL AT ALL COSTS.

You’ll definitely run into problems with that company and its just not worth the hassle.

By: John

John — Sun, 04 May 2008 06:06:11 +0000

Alden, I have been having the exact same problem. I have a Wamu checking account but every time I try to open the online savings account, my application is denied due to “security reasons.” I spent HOURS on the phone with customer service to try to fix the problem but no one is able to tell me what the problem is. No one is able to help me. I have tried to open the online savings account for MONTHS and I regularly call customer service to see if they can help. Horrible, horrible service and no one is in a position of authority enough to really get down to the bottom of my problem.

By: Sue Temple

Sue Temple — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:17:02 +0000

Obviously Bankaholic.com–Thai–Geomark–DucTrinh–JooliaGoolia and Han are fans of this infamously known screw-up bank. Do you think they may work there?? For all eyes, just look at the names. Give me a break. I lost over $450.00 to that bank becasue we transferred an equity loan to another really good serviceable bank. Because they delayed the check it cost me that much more due to the additional time. Give me a break. The manager at this Valrico
Bank in Florida definitely has hidden agenda’s and they are not customer service oriented. Do you think after all this on the web any one would call me to make things right?? NO NO NO. They just eat up any persons hard earned money. Pleas do not listen to thes wierd named people. They either work there or are just made up people. Actually anthing on the web site for WAMU that is favorable I would doubt.

By: Tyler

Tyler — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:22:28 +0000

I’m really confused because I signed up for WaMu’s online savings and free checking account when they were offering 4.5% and about a month after opening my account my APY was only 3.30%…is this some kind of scam they are pulling?? Customer service is no help either.