The following is a list of nationwide banks with branches all over Los Angeles:
- Citibank: http://www.citibank.com, One of the few international banks.
- Wells Fargo: https://www.wellsfargo.com, Wells Fargo has cornered the market on supermarket banking with small branches housed within larger supermarket chains.
- Chase: https://www.chase.com/
- Bank of America: https://www.bankofamerica.com/
Typical banking hours are Monday – Friday: 9.00am – 6.00pm and Saturday: 9.00am – 1.00pm or 9.00am – 4.00pm (Hours may vary; verify on the website for the location near you).
ATM machines are available in all banks, supermarket chains, and anywhere an ATM sign is displayed. Many corner shops provide ATM machine services provided by independent companies for a small transaction fee of $2 to $3 in most cases. (There is no fee to withdraw from your own bank.)
Larger branches employ English, Spanish, and Chinese speakers. Branches within specific foreign areas, such as Koreatown, employ English and Korean speakers.
Many banks in the USA are built like fortresses with safety doors, bulletproof teller screens, and armed guards at the door. Don’t be put off by this. After all, a bank that’s well protected means that you and your money are protected.
Although not impossible to speak to a live person at your bank over the telephone, the wait time can be very long. Most banks prefer and encourage their customers to use their free internet banking services. All the large chains have them and they provide a quick and easy service to check up on balances or even email a question to customer services. These major banks now offer mobile applications for your smartphones. You can deposit checks, transfer money, check balances and pay bills right from where you are.
