Banking and Auto Insurance

I've had good luck with Marshall & Sterling for insurance. There are a couple of others that also seem fairly reputable. St. Croix Insurance is one that comes to mind. Be aware that most people on the island only purchase liability insurance on their vehicles and not the much more expensive coverage that includes Comp & Collision. Also, there are multiple options for the level of insurance coverage you carry and the annual premium varies quite a bit depending on the combination of levels you select.

For banks, I personally prefer First Bank, largely because they have the most branches, ATM's, and extended hours on weeknights plus Saturday hours at the Sunny Isle branch. They have online banking also so you can track what is happening with your account and transfer funds between checking and savings, etc. They are headquartered in Puerto Rico and have branches on multiple islands in the Caribbean.

Scotia Bank also has branches on multiple islands and in some places on the mainland (both US and Canada). They only have two branches here that I am aware of, making it a bit harder to do your banking than with First Bank.

Bank of St. Croix is a local bank owned by the family that owns the Buccaneer Resort. Their customers seem happy with their services. They have recently added online banking and are talking about opening a second branch on the island. They don't have branches elsewhere, however, making them a bit less versatile when you travel.

First Bank also has a very good Auto Insurance Division - good rates and good service.

We use Banco Popular and have been satisfied. Our insurance is through Executive Insurance on STX. The insure with Lloyd's of London. No problems, but no claims either.

The service at Bank of St Croix is very good. In addition to having on line banking they also now have their own debit cards and an ATM where you can get cash around the clock.

The bank to avoid, in my experience is Community Bank. Owned by the same bandits that own Innovative. Service is just as bad at the bank as with the cable TV and telephone operations. Their staff is unfreindly and poorly trained. Things were always screwed up when I banked with them. The onlu place that I could get my debit card from them to work esd Plaza Extra. It really got embarrassing to continually have my debit card declined every where else on the island.

Marshall Sterling does a very professional job with both auto and homeowners insurance. They return calls to people both on and off the island. The automobile insurance they offer is unerwritten by Lloyds.

Marshall Sterling also provides free notary service to their customers. Having convenient access to a notary is important in the VI as all sorts of documents need to be notarized.

Jim