[music playing] MAN: Ever notice how TV commercials for big banks go really hard on the schmaltz?

Loving families.

Cute babies.

Sweet, old retired people.

Micro pigs on leashes.

It's almost as if they're trying to distract us from something.

[record scratching] Oh, you mean like how in 2016, Wells-Fargo admitted to creating 3.5 million fake accounts for customers to collect extra fees?

And charged over 570,000 people for auto insurance they didn't need, resulting in over 20,000 customers going into default?

[chime] And then, there's the now infamous practices of Citibank, Lehman Brothers, AIG, and other Wall Street giants, of bundling toxic junk assets, and repackaging them as AAA super-safe investments, which led to a near collapse of the international money system, that ordinary people are still hurting from.

And most Americans feel that big banks are rewarded, rather than punished, for risky and predatory behavior.

Bank of America received tens of billions in bailout funds in 2009, only to turn around, the very next year, and $35 billion in executive bonuses.

Not surprisingly, our trust in these institutions is low.

A recent Gallup poll showed that only 27% of Americans have confidence in banks.

But this is not a new phenomenon.

14th Century poet, Dante, placed money lenders in the seventh circle of hell, below violent murderers and blasphemers.

So being suspicious of big banks is nothing new, but what can you do?

You've got to stash your cash somewhere.

And who can get through life without ever taking a loan or using a credit card?

Thankfully, you do have options.

Alternatives to big banks have been around for a while.

And if you haven't looked into them yet, it might be time.

[music playing] One good alternative is a local community bank.

Their fees and charges can be lower than national chains.

And you can be pretty sure they won't use your money for risky bets or Wall Street gambles.

Instead, they tend to make investments in the immediate region, helping to develop projects and businesses that create jobs, and improve spaces in your hometown.

There are over 52,000 community bank locations nationwide, and you can find ones in your area by checking out the ICBA's website.

Then there are banks that don't rely on physical locations.

Online banks, like Simple and Chime, usually have lower fees, partly due to having no brick and mortar expenses.

They also tend to have no account minimums, don't charge overdraft fees, and ATMs are fee-free at tens of thousands of locations.

Both local banks and online-based banks still typically offer FDIC protection on up to $250,000 worth of deposits per person and account type.

So for most people, they're just as secure as the big national chains.

You could also choose to ditch banks altogether and open up an account at a credit union.

Credit unions allow you to make deposits and withdrawals, take out loans and credit cards, and enjoy most other services you might expect from a bank.

But unlike banks, credit unions are all nonprofit entities.

Any profits made by the credit union are returned to you, in the form of reduced fees, higher savings rates, and better loan terms.

WOMAN: This is because credit unions technically don't have customers.

They have members.

Everyone who keeps their money at a credit union is seen as a part owner of the institution.

And they usually all share a common bond.

Perhaps they all live in a particular geographic location, work in the same industry, or are all alumni of the same university.

One member's deposits end up becoming an auto or business loan for another member.

Teamwork.

Credit unions offer FDIC-like protection through the NCUSIF.

And most credit unions are part of a national shared branch network, which allows you to utilize thousands of other credit unions just like they were your own.

So depending on your credit union, you could have access to even more ATMs and branches than with a big national bank.

Maybe this all sounds great to you and you're ready to say sayonara to your big bank, but there are a few drawbacks to consider before making the switch.

Because of their size and scope, big banks are better at international banking and lending.

Making a withdrawal from abroad or getting a loan in another country can be a tall order for many local banks and credit unions.

So if you do a lot of traveling or have a cross-border business, sticking with your big bank might make your life easier.

Also, smaller banks and credit unions usually can't compete with the big banks' digital offerings.

So if things like banking apps, budgeting software and online accounting tools are important to you, be sure to inquire about the technological support they offer.

MAN: Even though these advantages come from big banks' huge size, in their ads, they often go out of their way to portray themselves as homey, familiar, even rustic.

It's as if they're saying little organizations are more trustworthy.

So if you find these commercials persuasive, maybe you should check out the smaller organizations in your neighborhood.

And that's our two cents.

PBS Digital Studios is conducting its annual audience survey.

This survey is one of the most important projects we do every year, because it helps us understand who you are and what you like and don't like, beyond what we can see in analytics.

35,000 responses last year helped us make decisions on what experiments to try, and even what shows to make, like this one.

If you have a few minutes, please click the link in the pinned comment.

25 random participants will receive an awesome PBSDS t-shirt.

[music playing] We want to hear from you.

What kind of institution do you prefer to bank at, and why?

Be sure to chime in in the comments below.