So where do you start in your search for the utopian banking relationship?

    The first step is to analyze exactly which banking services you need. Once you've determined that, here are nine rules of thumb to help steer your search:
 

1. Expect to find some of the highest deposit yields at Internet and credit-card banks.
2. Expect lower ATM fees or even fee rebates at institutions that have few branch locations.
3. Expect faster and more-flexible mortgage service with a bank that operates as a "mortgage banker." The reason: It's loaning its own money rather than placing your mortgage with another lender.
4. Expect mortgage brokers to offer a wide variety of loans from different lenders. This could be good for people with unique credit situations.
5. Expect lower car-loan and credit-card rates at credit unions than at banks and thrifts.
6. Look for adjustable-rate mortgages from thrifts; fixed-rate mortgages at banks.
7. Save fees by obtaining a fixed annuity, variable annuity or mutual fund directly from a no-load investment company rather than a bank.
8. Expect more online services from larger banks than smaller banks.
9. It could prove easier to get a small-business loan from a small community bank.

        The rules are not always engraved in stone in our high-tech society and are constantly subject to change. But they're a start.

        Once you've narrowed your search, run a check of your state banking department. Some, such as New York (www.banking.state.ny.us/intrate.htm), track bank pricing online. You also can visit Web sites like www.bankrate.com or www.hsh.com for mortgages and www.cardweb.com for credit cards.

        We like to check www.ripoffreport.com for consumer complaints against an institution. Also, search the Internet for any problems with the institution, detailed in threads, on message boards or by regulatory agencies. Evaluate how fast and knowledgeable customer service is, in a branch and/or over the telephone.

        You should ask the institution how it protects your account from identity theft and fraud. Probe its track record for reimbursing victimized customers.

        Unfortunately, it's easy to miss hidden fees that banks charge -- regardless of the type of account. For example:
 

• On deposit accounts you'll need to check fees for research, closing an account early or inactivity.
• On loans, inquire about fees for credit checks and applications.
• Does the bank charge to get a document notarized?
• If you're approaching 50 years old, inquire about lower-cost senior accounts.

Here are other questions to ask:

Checking accounts:

• What are the fees? No fees? Do fees kick in if you drop below a minimum monthly balance, write a certain number of transactions or fail to make direct deposits?
• Does the account stop paying interest or pay a lower rate under any circumstances?
• Do you get checks back with your monthly statement? Is there a fee if you need a check copy?
• What are the ATM fees? What are the bounced-check fees and stop-payment fees?
• Can you get overdraft protection, or must you tie the checking account to the bank's credit card? What is the fee and/ or interest rate for overdraft protection?
• Can you access photos of checks online? Is there a charge for this service?
• Can you engage in online electronic check writing?

Savings accounts:

• What are the fees, and what must you do to avoid fees?
• Is there a higher yield if you make a larger deposit?
• Do you lose interest under any circumstances?
• Is there any other account with a higher yield?

Certificates of deposit:

• What are the terms, rates and minimum balances?
• Is interest compounded and automatically added to balances, or must you open another account to receive interest?
• Can you get higher yields on a larger deposit?
• Can you adjust the rate upward if rates rise?
• What is the withdrawal penalty?
• What is the policy at maturity? Will you receive notification and automatically roll the CD over, or is the money dumped into a non-interest-bearing or low-interest account?
 

• Is the rate fixed or adjustable? What is the term?
• What are the closing costs and all fees and points?
• If there are no closing costs: Are you sure there is no appraisal fee, title insurance fee or credit fee?
• Is there a prepayment penalty for paying the mortgage off early, or a termination fee on a home-equity line?
• Does the home-equity line have an annual fee?
• What are all the rate and/or payment caps?
• Is there a balloon payment after a specific term, which requires that the entire loan be paid or recast? How specifically does that work?

        Your bank also might offer a package of services, including checking, savings, loans and a safe deposit box. Make sure all are worth the fees for this account.