North Fork Bank Changing to Capital One Bank - Was It Successful?

I have been with the North Fork bank ever since it took over Home Federal many years ago. I have loved being a valued customer at my local North Fork Bank branch. All of the bank representatives have always been extremely helpful and my service was always more than satisfactory. When I heard about the Capital One take over I panicked. Would I like Capital One? I don't know anything about this banking cooperation. I just know that they are huge and growing by the minute.

My concerns and findings are as follows:

1. Direct deposit - I already have a pre existing direct deposit account from my employer to my checking account. Would this change or would I have to set up a whole new direct deposit account. The first one took me three months to activate, I did not want to go back to the old paper checks. Well, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that not only would my pre existing direct deposit account not be affected, my check was actually deposited and cleared quicker than before. That was the hugest relief of all. My biggest and main concern was no longer an issue.

2. Online banking - With a two year old at home, it is extremely difficult to get to the bank on a daily basis. I was an avid user of North Fork's online banking program. I would check it daily, see what checks cleared, transfer funds from one account to another, check deposits and withdrawals, etc. My concern was that online banking would no longer be an option and I would have to take my two year old with me to the bank. I can't even begin to tell you what a nightmare that would be. Well, here again I was pleasantly surprised. Not only does Capital One offer online banking, it is even better than the one I was presently using with North Bank. The Capital One actually shows all three of my accounts. I have a checking, a savings, and a minor passbook account for my son. It even lets me do transfers from one account to another. The North Fork online didn't let me see the minor passbook account. This is a wonderful addition to my daily banking. The only thing I had to do was reset my password with the new Capital One online banking. It even lets me use my same old identification number from before. The Capital One online banking also offers more security questions and firewalls to get through. North Fork only had one password to figure out. Capital One has a lot more so hopefully it will be a lot harder for someone to try to break into an account. Another great feature is that the checking account shows your recent transactions with more detail than before. It shows when a transaction is pending and when it cleared. So far I haven't had any problems with the new Capital One online banking.

3. Local branches - North Fork had so many local branches you could throw a stone and hit one. I was concerned that Capital One might close these branches down and open their own somewhere else. Nope. Here again I was pleasantly surprised. All of the pre existing local North Fork Branches just changed their names to Capital One. None of my local branches closed. All of my drive thru branches are still open. This makes it so much easier for me when I do have to go to the bank. I can just put my two year old in the car and go to the local drive thru branch. The closest branch to where I love actually has a 24 hour ATM drive thru machine. How convenient is that!

4. Customer Service - I have been so fortunate with my online banking services that I haven't needed to call Customer Service at all since it became Capital One. I have faith that when I do need to call, I will not have a problem. So far I haven't had a problem at all with my new Capital One Bank.

5. Present checking and savings accounts - None of my accounts have changed. All of the account numbers have stayed the same. Capital One has sent me numerous literature explaining in detail any changes that will be made to my pre existing accounts. O far none of the changes are really any big deal.

6. New checks - I was concerned that all of the new checks I had just purchased weren't go to be good to use any more. I thought I wasted a whole box of new checks. This was not the case. All North Fork checks are still valid. I will be able to use up the brand new box I had just bought until they are finished. Then I will purchase new Capital One checks.

7. ATM cards - Same as the checks, I was concerned that my old North Fork Bank ATM/Debit card wasn't going to work anymore, or I would have to go in to the bank to reset my pin number. That would be a huge hassle. So far I haven't had any problems with using my old ATM card. It still works in all the debit machines and the ATM machines. I am sure they will be sending new Capital Ones in the mail, but at least my old one is still good.

8. Banking hours - From what I can tell, the banking hours haven't changed. This might change in the future, but for now everything is the same.

9. Reliable service- I could always count on North Fork bank to do the right thing and treat me as a valued customer. From my experience so far with the new Capital One Bank, I have yet to have any problems. This is a great thing.

10. Overall satisfaction - Overall I would have to say that all of my concerns about the new Capital One / North Fork take over have been unfounded. Capital One has proved to me that they are a great banking cooperation and I am looking forward to continue to be a valued customer with them for many years to come. If you are looking to switch banks, let me suggest you try the new Capital One. I have a feeling you won't be disappointed, I know I'm not.