For the consumer, there is little difference. They do not close for lunch. Some banks have Saturday and evening hours. Many banks and thrift institutions in the United States have failed in the last few years, so it's wise to be careful. Chose a bank that has a reputation for stability.
Convenience is also a factor.
Many large banks have branches everywhere. You'll be able to access all 18 topic areas of this site. Also you'll find a link to the guestbook.