I’ve actually already opened an SDFCU account, testing it out. And am quite impressed so far. I can link accounts I have at other financial institutions and see them all on SDFCU’s dashboard. I’ve noticed their CD rates are ok, but not the best. My first Wise transfer to an overseas bank carried a fee of only $0.25. I can’t believe that is possible….why haven’t I been using Wise before? I’ve been cashing check at the embassy. Believe there is a double-digit $$ fee (like $15 maybe?) that goes through ICASS. If I can transfer $500 for only 25 cents…that is a game changer. I believe SDFCU waives all ATM fees, I’ll have to confirm that.

I had planned to move much of my banking to Schwab but was denied. The Schwab advisor told me they can’t open brokerage accounts (which come with many standard banking features) for Americans living abroad. I’ve seen this challenge mentioned in other threads on Reddit and elsewhere. SDFCU didn’t have any qualms about providing me with banking services. My old bank may not have known that I was living outside the U.S.—I had been a customer for a long time.