A Bank Where They Know Your Name, It Is Possible!
Written: Jan 21 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Hometown Bank, Competitive Rates, Great Customer Service, Member of SUM Network
Cons: Not too many locations outside of Metrowest Boston
The Bottom Line: Middlesex Bank is a hometown bank that looks out for its customers and treats each one like a valued guest.
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| jps246's Full Review: Middlesex Savings Bank |
Back when I lived in Maine and New York prior to that, I had my share of experiences with “Big Banks,” namely KeyBank (see my review of KeyBank at http://www.epinions.com/content_21741407876 for more info). I decided that I would never join one of them again and spent the rest of the time in Maine at a state employees credit union.
Thus when I moved to Massachusetts last year (well a little more than a year ago now) I stayed as far away as possible from such giants as FleetBoston and BankNorth. I just was not into getting non-personal customer service, crappy rates, and exorbitant fees for the pleasure of banking with them.
Middlesex Bank was located in the next town over from me, and one of my friends highly recommended it to me. Thus I brought my money to Middlesex Bank. From the moment I stepped in, I knew it was going to be a good experience.
When I was looking to open accounts, the branch manager warmly welcomed me and explained everything that the bank had to offer. I believe that several times the phrase “well we’re not a big bank came up.”
This sense of customer service is evident at all the branches that I have visited. Almost every time I come in, the branch manager remembers me and asks how things are going and if she could help at all with anything. The tellers also recognize customers. It’s a great feeling to walk in and be welcomed as a person, instead of just a number, or worse, an annoyance to be dealt with.
Even their ATMs are easy to use, with newer graphical interfaces and easier navigation than most ATMs.
The bank offers several different types of checking accounts and savings accounts, along with investment type vehicles (CD’s, Money Markets, IRAs). I have a “Freedom Checking” account, a money market/savings account and a CD account at the bank. Freedom checking is free (first order of checks too) as long as you maintain a $250 balance or have at least 2 direct deposits into the account each month. As my paycheck has to be direct deposited, no problem there. Thus, I’ve never paid a fee for my checking. The money market/savings account is typical of most savings accounts, with a paltry interest rate, I think it’s around 1.5% or something right now. Their CD rates are competitive with other banks, my 6-month CD is now earning 2.05% and if you move into the year long or 5-year long CD’s, the interest rates are higher.
There are 17 different locations scattered throughout the metrowest region of Boston. Middlesex is also a member of the SUM network and if you use your ATM card at any ATM marked with “SUM” you will not pay any fees for your withdrawal, even if it is a non-Middlesex Bank ATM. All locations are open Monday through Friday and some are open in the morning on Saturdays.
My one complaint would be the lack of many locations, but being part of the SUM network does make up for this. I have found SUM ATMs throughout Boston and throughout the rest of Massachusetts, so it is not very often that I end up paying a fee to use a non-Middlesex Bank ATM.
Middlesex also offers an online banking service, where you can log into your accounts, transfer money, view balances and stuff like that. The website is laid out very cleanly and it is easy to log on and quickly get done what you want. The also offer online bill paying through the website, though there is an additional fee for this service. The basic online banking service is free and offers everything except for the online bill pay. This I believe is one of the best parts of Middlesex - I'm always online checking balances, moving money, etc. If I wasn't able to do this, I'd be stuck, since I work during the week and I would have to wait until Saturday morning to get all my banking done.
There is also a telephone banking service, but I have never used it. You are able to check balances and transfer funds with this free service.
I wholeheartedly recommend Middlesex Bank, it truly is a hometown bank that looks out for its customers and treats each one like a valued guest. You really can’t go wrong at this bank.
Recommended:
Yes
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