Open the weekly mailing you get from BankOne. Take two, they're small. After you have a few credit cards with different banks, figure out what local bank has a deal to fit your affinity group. You can go for free checking, high-interest draft accounts, telephone banking, computer banking or all of the above. Never be satisfied.
Financial services are commodities.
Keep on the lookout for sales, promotions, freebies. This is especially true when it comes to borrowing money. If you're the sort of person who is used to paying your bills, there's a line of people willing to lend you money that goes twice around the block. You absolutely want a home equity line of credit with a low adjustable rate, conversion options to fixed rate that costs nearly nothing to open. No points, no closing costs, no appraisal fees and tax-deductible are the minimum perquisites you should accept.