How to Find a Better Bank

From the August issue of Kiplinger's Personal Finance

Small banks, credit unions and online banks are hungry for your business, so they're beating big banks on fees and rates.

Community bank.Go to the Web site of the Independent Community Bankers of America and click on "community bank locator."

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Credit union. Click on "locate a credit union" at the Credit Union National Association's site. You may be eligible to join one where you work or live, or because a family member belongs. Some credit unions have other entrees to membership. For example, you can become a member of the Pentagon Federal Credit Union if you join the National Military Family Association for a one-time $20 membership fee.

Online bank. Start at Bankrate.com, which lists the latest interest rates and offers. Click on the "compare rates" tab to find banks with above-average yields. If you find a deal at an online bank that you're not familiar with, make sure the institution is covered by FDIC insurance. Run the bank's name through the agency's Bank Find database.