My husband and I are moving to philly in two weeks and I was wondering what the best banks are in the area? We're coming from the midwest, so other than the big national chains (which I don't tend to like) I don't know much. Any advice is appreciated. We'll be living in Powelton village and I'll be working at UPenn if that matters.

Commerce, Wachovia, Citizens Bank...I know that there is a Commerce Bank right on Penns campus so that might help you.

Commerce at 38th and Walnut
Citizens at 34th and Walnut
PNC at 40th and Walnut and at 36th and Market

note...Powelton ..just watch for groups of teens coming from West Philly High.

Commerce is open 7 days a week as is Citizens. I found the Citizen's branch to be quite friendly.

Although University City (and Powelton) have made huge advances against crime and blight there's still a random crime here and there. (General city-type crime)

Just watch for groups of teens whol look likr they are up to no good. (A general recommendation for the entire city)

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The closest bank to Powelton Village is probably the Soveriegn Bank on 31st and Market St. Its in the heart of Drexel's campus, so you won't have to worry about your safety, and you won't have to hike over to Penn's campus. When I attended Drexel, this was the bank that was used by the University, so I would go there once a week to cash my work-study checks.

I would not recommend Wachovia for the following reasons:
1. they left the city high and dry when they suddenly pulled sponsorship of the Philadelphia International Bike Race, which until this year was our national pro championship. Commerce Bank has picked up the tab.
2. No Wachovia branch in UC, just an ATM
3. Fees are pretty high

How the hell did crime find its way into this thread.."be careful of west philly high students"....the person wants to know about banks, not how crime is....geesh get over it or move

Keep wearing those blinders. It was just a warning to someone from WI who may not be familiar with West Philly High's rep.

http://www.drexel.edu/admin/publicsa...ety_alerts.htm

"On February 20 and 21, 2006, Drexel students and an alumnus were assaulted in Powelton Village and Mantua in three separate incidents. Two of the assaults occurred near 33rd and Hamilton Streets, while the other incident occurred in the 3100 block of Brandywine. All three incidents involved an individual being assaulted by a group of juveniles carrying 2x4s the length of baseball bats. "

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commerce i badif you use anything with interest rates. they forte is long hours and nice branches which prevents higher rates. pnc is probably the best big bank around; maybe citizens. sovereign sucks..charges you fees for using other people's ATM's. fees, fees, fees...although they were recently purchased by Banco Santander.
check out
http://www.bauerfinancial.com/home.html

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I used to have an acct with PNC and was pretty happy with them. Pretty nice sort-of-local bank that has branches and ATMs all over the place. Only closed the account after I joined a credit union.

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