We all have horror stories about how we were mistreated, overcharged, or otherwise screwed by a bank at some point in our lives. If we find this happening again and again, it’s quite possible that we’ve chosen the wrong bank. The choice of a bank is less about whether a bank is good or bad, but whether it is good or bad for you.

The bank that I use is notorious for infuriating some of its customers. There are websites out there whose sole purpose is to bash my bank and tell all the reasons why it’s so horrible. I laugh when I see people getting so worked up about this because I have never been charged the ridiculous fees described, received anything but the best customer service, and have had a simply wonderful banking experience. Clearly they are the wrong bank for some people, but the right bank for me. In fact, in addition to having a checking and savings account with them, I also have my credit card and mortgage.

Being a large commercial bank, it fits in well with my level of savings and my general handling of personal finances. I’m sure that if I had used the same bank when I was younger (and had less money) I may have seen many of the fees and problems that other people are complaining about. Instead, I used a small credit union with very low balance requirements at that time.

The bank you choose should be appropriate for your finances. It’s not that a big bank is better or worse -in many cases smaller banks and credit unions are a superior choice- but rather that different banks fit better with different people. If you can’t maintain the minimum balance requirements at one bank either don’t bank there or don’t complain when they keep charging you fees for being below the requirement. There are banks out there ideal for nearly every type of customer. If you constantly complain about the bank you use, or believe that your bank is inherently evil, it’s time to choose a different bank.