By far, the best bank out of the big three (Wells Fargo, Bank of America) bank chains. Had WaMu several years ago and left to try out other banks, and recently came back within the last couple of years. I've had good experiences with smaller bank chains, but unfortunately accessibility to ATM locations is important to me. I haven't had to use the free overdraft waiver yet mostly because I track all of my bills and make sure there's always enough money for all transactions, but it's nice to know the waiver is there.

A couple of things I don't like:
1. Being charged $2.00 at an ATM to transfer from your savings to checking account.
2. Customer service calls are being directed to call centers overseas. Half the time it is very hard for me to understand what the person is saying. TIP: I've found that by calling in the evening, you will reach a service rep in the U.S.

Most WaMu branches move quickly, but there is one branch in particular that I try not to go to that has horrible customer service. No matter what day or what time, there's always at least a dozen people in line, and the tellers move very slow. One time I waited 30 minutes in a line of 20+ people just to get a roll of quarters ($10 in quarters), and when I go to the counter the manager was the one helping me. She informed me that they ran out of quarters. I've never heard of a bank running out of quarters! In addition to this, the manager was extremely rude! This branch seems to be the exception since the other WaMu branches I've gone to are pretty efficient. AVOID THE SATICOY-VAN NUYS BRANCH: 17204 SATICOY ST. in VAN NUYS, CA 91406. I'm not the only one who is usually complaining in line!

I could not agree more to the posting about their associates being rude, rude, rude! Although I did not have problems with the associates in the bank branches - it was the "customer service" associates I spoke with on the phone at the 800 number. I tried for over 2 months to get a new debit card issued to me becuase I lost mine. After repeated calls and dealing with rude associates who obviously didn't care I closed my account and took my business elsewhere. If they can't even do something as simple as issue someone a new debit card then I would never trust them with my money.

If you sign up in one city, then all changes to your account must be made through that branch. What a pain if you move to another state like I did. I no longer use this bank. The good thing about WaMu is that they have many locations.
I'm pretty sure that this was an isolated incidence, but my first WaMu ATM card did not work. So, I went in to request a new one and left my old with someone to be destroyed (it didn't work, so I didn't think this would be a problem). The next day a gas charge appeared! I was pretty appalled by this, but they took care of it. I don't think they did anything to the guy who either took my card or left it somewhere to be taken. Aside from that I haven't had any major problems with them.

I have banked with Washington Mutual for many years. During that time I have also tried a couple of other banks. In all respects, Washington Mutual is the worst bank I have ever encountered. They are all about the money, no heart, unprofessional and unorganized. I never reveived my son's life insurance from his plus account when he passed away three years ago, and in fact still get his bank statements, even after many contacts with the bank explaining the situation and legal documents showing my claim. Do not bank with them if you are looking for a worthy business.

They waive one overdraft fee per year.  BIG DEAL!  I've known other banks to waive way more fees than that.

Okay for deposit relationship but do not try to use them for commercial loans. Their idea of a business loan is to issue a credit card.

I've had an account with WAMU for several years and the service has deteriorated over the last year or so. New branches are basically ATMs with a human attached -- they can't do much. Mostly, I've disgusted by the way they hold onto deposits (when they shouldn't, when the deposit shows up online as in the ledger), so they can charge you for an overdraft. Recently, they couldn't even tell me when my account went below the amount needed to cover a check -- their documents show it didn't -- yet they returned a check and charged me $25. I'm leaving the bank now because of my experiences, even though it will be a pain to change all of the online billing things we have set up.

I used this bank for personal checking and savings for three years in both California and Florida. I have no complaints about their service. The majority of the employees at the five different branches I've used were friendly and helpful. Very few things have fees. The part that I enjoyed the best is that not only are there NO fees for using a Washington Mutual card at another bank's ATM, there also is no fee for a member of some other bank using their card at a Washington Mutual ATM. I've never heard of any other bank doing that and to me is an amazing gesture of goodwill.

Three reviews with Five Stars? Tools of the banking industry, all. Who likes WAMU? No one I know likes WAMU one bit. The only thing of value is the supreme irony of their ads, where they say they are people-pleasing and all that nonsense. Never had a personal account there, but I can't recommend having a biz account there - unless your biz is always well into the black. 10-day holds on checks over $5000! How're you supposed to make payroll? It takes no less than 30 minutes to even get to talk to someone who has the power to take a hold off of your d*mn check. If the city that the bank is in writes a $16,000 check, why does it take 10 days to clear? What, so they can earn interest on it? Oh, no! Banks are benevolent. They want to help us....

I would bank with WAMU all over again...if only they were in Boston... Why WAMU doesnt enter the Boston market is beyond me.... Everyone knows how bad it is here right now with only having 1 choice-(Bow-fuh)-- WAMU is nice to look at...great to talk to.. WAMU has short lines...friendly people... WAMU has daycares and coffee that doesnt remind me of truck stop cafe's.. WAMU has low fee structures..flexible rules... Remember when you were in college in the City and you wished there was a Bank who would stop robbing you of your Ramen meals???? These guys are the solution.... Granted, they're market cap is nowhere near BAC, C, or other big players...but thats what makes them special..its like old-fashioned customer service that doesnt exhist any more... Plus, the tellers arent always up-selling theyre customers, unlike Bank of America.. GO WAMU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Three words for these people--RUDE, RUDE, and RUDE!!! After 15 years with them as a satisfied customer, in 2005, I finally decided they must be trying to dump their customers. I've seen it all this year, folks. Everything from a fireman losing his cool to a sweet old lady that happens to be a neighbor of mine, losing hers. The next to last straw for me was seeing a Seattle Police Officer yell at the top of her lungs--"Why in the hell do you people do this to other people!" But the final straw was going in to deposit a $20,000.00 cashier's check from someone for a partial down payment on my house. After placing my trust in them for this many years, they told me to take the check to the bank it was bought at and get it cashed...since I didn't have 20,000 in my account to cover it. I said, "HUH? This is a cashier's check...should be as good as cash." The manager, Robert, at Northgate Branch in Seattle actually responded that my inconvenience was not their problem. The account is still open--but instead of the 10,000 a month I used to keep in it, I have exactly 39.00. Once my life insurance payment gets transferred, they won't get one more cent of my money. So long, losers.

Washington Mutual is by far the best bank!!! However, we do need more branches around the Sacramento area.. My sister is a branch manager for a bank in Oregon, and there is no better bank than good ol' WAMU!!! I give major kudos to this bank!