The the second installment of our best banks series, we take a look at the best small business banks in the US.  We looked at a variety of factors, but determined that the most important was loan accessibility, in other words are they lending.  After looking at this and customer service, we determined that the best small business bank is Pitney Bowes Bank.  Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, this bank has nearly 1.2 million small business loans with a total portfolio of just over $425 million.  What we like about this is that their loan amount is relatively small, making its services available to a wide variety of small businesses.

Whether you like it or not banking has gone online.  With cell phone apps that deposit checks and ATM rebates, there is virtually no reason why you would need a bricks and mortar bank.  That said, online banking is still in its infancy.  Determining which online bank is best was not an easy task.  After significant research, we have determined that Schwab Bank provides the best online bank experience.  They offer free bill pay, a robust online experience, iPhone and Andoid apps (including check deposits), interest on checking accounts, rebates for all ATM fees, and much more.  Add that to Schwab’s legendary customer service experience and you have far and away the best online bank.

M&T Bank is offering from $100-$200 to new customers who open up a checking account.  The difference in payout depends on the type of checking account you open.  The deals from M&T, however, do not end there!  You have the opportunity to earn up to $50 more.  The first $50 comes from adding overdraft protection to your account.  This could be wise as M&T really punishes you for bouncing a check.  The overdraft penalty is $37 (there is no fee if the overdraft was $10 or less).  The other $50 is easier to obtain because you simply need to use their free online bill pay service.  After using it 3 times, you receive the cash.  You cannot receive both of the bonus deals.

Without a doubt.  Most people taking out the standard 4 year, or 48 month, car loan are seeing rates in the high 4s.  Grabbing an interest rate at this level, typically is reserved for special financing deals by the dealer.  These rates, however, are freely available from private banks and credit unions.

Most indicators are showing very high used car prices, which seem to make this a pretty smart time to purchase new, if there ever is a time to purchase new cars.  Of course, you’re more likely to get a good rate with a new car loan and a decent down payment.

Being from Texas, I know how much we appreciate everything big.  Despite this fact, one of the best banks in Texas, if not the country is a smaller sized bank.  It edges out its national peers with its strong balance sheet and impressive customer service.  That bank is 120 year old First Financial Bankshares out of Abilene, Texas.  Its hard to find a more financially stable bank in the entire country.  Saying First Financial is small, however, might be somewhat misleading.  The company does, after all, have nearly $4 billion in assets.  The bank is publicly traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the symbol FFIN.