In the days before the Internet, switching banks or credit unions after moving to a new city was pretty much required. Nowadays, though, online banking and mobile apps let you access and manage your bank accounts from almost anywhere—and many will even let you pay your bills and deposit checks. This has led a lot of people to wonder if they actually need to switch banks after a move, or whether they can just stay with their previous financial institution.

While you don’t have to break up with your previous financial bank or credit union if you don’t want to, having an account at a local brick-and-mortar financial institution has some advantages you just can’t get online.

You can Deposit Change

Okay, this might not seem like the biggest advantage, but it’s probably the most obvious one. Pretty much everybody has a jar of loose change that they keep somewhere around their home that they eventually decide to deposit. While you could go to a grocery store or big box store to use one of their coin counting machines, you’ll also have to pay them anywhere from 10% to 20% for the privilege.

If you have an account with a local financial institution, on the other hand, you won’t have to pay a fee for having your coins counted, and that means more money going into your pocket.

You can Talk to an Actual Person

There’s no denying the convenience of online banking, but when you need help nothing beats being able to talk to an actual person. When you have an account at a local brick-and-mortar financial institution, you can always talk with a member experience advisor in person about any issues you might have, whether you’ve discovered a fraudulent charge on your account or if you just have some general questions about some services the financial institution offers.

Being able to talk with an actual person at a financial institution can also give member experience advisors the chance to know you personally. This can have a lot of benefits, from being able to forgive an overdraft fee to being more inclined to approve you for a loan.

You get the Benefit of Local Knowledge

When you talk with a financial institution’s membership experience advisors, you’re not just talking to people who have financial expertise. You’re also talking to people who live in the community, and they can use that knowledge to help you.

While this knowledge can be helpful in many ways, it’s especially useful if you’re trying to get a loan. Local lending advisors will have a better understanding of the community that outside banks do not, and as a result they may be able to approve loans that outside banks might not.

Open a New Local Account at First Alliance Credit Union

While online banking and mobile apps mean you can keep banking with a financial institution even if you move to a new city, having an account with a local bank or credit union provides you with advantages you just can’t get from online banking.

Become a First Alliance member today.