Where to bank on STX

I bank at First Bank.
They have several branches and two which are very conveniently located for me -which is nice.

Ditto, with no problems.

I use Bank of St.Croix. One in Gallows Bay and one in Peter's Rest. Online banking/transfers is available at no charge.

The Gallow's Bay location is always busy but more than once I've walked into the Peter's Rest location to an empty lobby! In and out.
Another thing I like is that I can use First Bank's ATM machine with no service charge.
No negative experiences to report
Noah

I do business with FirstBank, ScotiaBank and Bank of St. Croix. I don't see any difference, to speak of, with any of them, for just checking/savings except, as Noah said, Bank of STX, Peter's Rest is usually empty. First and Scotia can have very long, SLOW lines.

I use First Bank and as long as I stay out of the physical branch it's great. They're online banking has features even my Bank of America account doesn't and I can even make e-payments same day if I push it through before 2:00 PM (?) which is great.

We bank at the Bank of St. Croix and have had no problems. We used to bank at Scotia, but the customer service wasn't as good and they insisted on calling us each time a trades person would try to cash a check from us to make sure that it was a legit check. I'm sure they felt like they were doing it for our benefit, but it was embarrassing to us, as we didn't want to create additional hassle for the folks who did work for us (painter, plumber, carpenter, electrician, etc.) We don't seem to have that issue with the Bank of St. Croix.

I chose Scotia because the staff was out of their way helpful to me and I hadn't even opened an account yet. First Bank brusquely told me they couldn't help me without an account... after setting up a Scotia account I found out that their ATM card does not work when you try to use it as a debit card in stores. Scotia says they're working on it.... In the end I wish I went with another bank but I'm too lazy to switch. I just carry my checkbook which surprisingly enough most stores accept for payment.

I Like the Bank of ST Croix, Years ago I went to cash some American Express Travelers checks at one of the Major Banks that I had a checking account with, Because I didn't sign the Checks in front of the teller, the bank refused to cash the checks but said I could deposit them (the Checks) in my account and a ten day hold would be put on them to make sure they cleared. I went to the Bank of ST Croix cashed half of them and opened an account with the rest them, never had a problem and "it's a Great Little bank".

Now, here's a thought. I'm not defending the bank, BUT...say the travelers checks had been stolen from you, someone else did a really good job of signing your name, presented them to the bank and they cashed them. Would you then say they should have known better because it says right on the travelers check they must be signed in the presence of the person accepting them?

I know, I know...they could have checked your ID, used a little common sense, etc., but just saying...probably if the tellers start using common sense and bend the rules, soon they will just bend the rules, or possibly break them, without the common sense. Ya know?;) (That's my Sarah Palin wink!:@):@):@))

I was a bank customer, with Govt Photo ID, the teller and branch manager knew who I was. My signature card was on file at the branch. I had all but DNA proof! There is this little item called a bank float, that's more important than customer service.

They are all awful here, if you're going to deal with any of them you have to always remain calm and cheerful but pushy. I've been told no to things I know they can do all the time, and I can't go back to my customer and tell them the bank said no I have to get it done. Doing books here I've seen the banks take money out of my clients personal accounts and put it elsewhere, seen them take money out of other business in put it in the business I've worked for and then told me I had to refund the business they took money from. I've not going to even get into the nonsense thats happened to me inside scotia, 1st bank and bank st croix.

So you have to grin and bear it if you want to bank here. I don't. I'd be scared to death to have anything other then a small checking account here. I have kept my stateside bank and 8 years later I am still very happy with this arrangement. I get great service and the only drawback is I have to mail in checks once in a while for deposits.

Ah yes, forgot about the float. That's the real reason! They even put a hold on certified checks.

Oh I Forgot,
Juanita, the signature in front of the person accepting the check is basically for merchants, that accept travelers checks. The bank takes a picture of the person presenting the check with proper ID. Why would a commercial bank accept the check as a deposit but not cash it. Would that be considered bending or breaking the rules?

I've had them tell me, at the bank, that traveler's checks can be stolen, so that's why they force you to deposit them, so they can put a hold on them. My husband used to get traveler's check at his work, so after the bank wouldn't just cash them, we started using them as cash in restaurants, some stores, etc. Even as "two party", most places didn't have a problem....just the bank.

Juanita,
All banks have a right to "Offset", If you give them a bad check, stolen check or confederate money they (the bank) can deduct the amount from your accounts without any form of legal action. American express checks are treated as cash and are paid instantly by the federal reserve clearing house. That's where the float comes into play. It's just another way a bank can nickle/dime the customers.