This is THE MOST COMPLICATED bank to deal with I have ever encountered, making a mockery of their name. They are the epitome of all the jumping-through-hoops that they claim to be the opposite of.

After waiting many weeks, I finally was allowed to apply. Now they are insisting that I must send them many documents, NOTARIZED, by POSTAL MAIL ONLY. It would take me many hours and much expense to get that done, and who knows whether they would then deign to accept me.

This is all based on some reason that their customer service guy says they don't know; only the so-called "partner bank" does. Totally ridiculous. My advice: Open an online account at a bank like Sallie Mae or American Express, and hook it up to Mint. Done in ten minutes. All the same services, plus about 1% interest instead of nothing, and paper checks for the times when you really need them. And joint accounts! How primitive that Simple can't do even that basic level of service.

Just for fun, here's the text of their demand. Welcome back to the 20th Century:

"Please send [by postal mail; no fax or email] us clear, notarized copies of each of the following items:

Proof of Identification (for example: current, unexpired driver's license, U.S. military ID card, or passport)

Proof of Date of Birth (for example: current, unexpired driver's license, U.S. military ID card, or passport)

Proof of Social Security Number (for example: U.S. tax form, such as a Form W-2 or recent annual return (only need one page, reflecting your SSN); or Social Security card)

Proof of Residence (for example: current, unexpired driver's license or vehicle registration card; lease agreement; or utility bill or bank statement generated within the past 30 days)

Signed Request to Open an Account (handwritten or typed statement signed by you confirming that you are applying for an account with us)"

If you're thinking a Simple card will simplify- think again. Just got charged $75 for gas until the actual $20 payment clears. What a joke. If this is the behavior filling up on gas, then who knows what other transactions you're going to get bend over for because of Simple. I'm dumping this card immediately. Simple is a joke.

I have been a member of 2 Large National Banks (BofA & WF) and a local Credit Union throughout my life, and after discovering Simple, I will never return to them. I'll use the categories below to explain why.

Customer Service: Think of the last time you called your bank, was it an unfriendly, adversarial, experience? I'm sure that my former bank's customer service policy was: "The customer is my enemy, and I will defeat him." It didn't matter if I was calling to inquire about a transaction, or a fee, or a mistake they made. Simple on the other hand is a wonderful experience. Long story short, once my other bank lost/didn't receive a loan payment via online billpay. Simple took care of crediting me back the money so I could pay it faster, and they refunded me the late fee that the OTHER bank charged. This sold me for life.

Bank Rates: No fees, and interest on your checking account. Even if you're poor like me, $.02 is still 2 cents; it's the thought that counts.

Online Experience: No one can hold a candle to Simple. It's like Mint & Quicken put together, and 1,000% better than both. The Goals System is amazing. Definitely room to add features here, but that would just take them from being the best, to even better.

Fees & Charges: What fees & charges?

Overall Satisfaction: I joined Simple because I heard of their robust online finance tracking system. It's as good as its reviews (Look them up on The Verge & Lifehacker). Then I experienced their customer service on several occasions, and knew I liked this bank.

Then I had a problem (Loan payment above) and even though it wasn't clear who's fault it was, the two banks reactions sold me for life:

Old Bank: Charged me a fee, threatened to send to collections, told me to fix it by doing x-y-z, charged me a fee for x-y-z.

Simple: Apologized, refunded the other banks fee, credited my account so I could pay faster, and asked what else they could do to make it right.

Shoutout to Kelly in CS.

Simple is the best thing to come along since the internet.

Finally I don't have to wait in line at a bank to talk to someone. I simply tap on the transaction i have an issue with and send a "text" to someone and they respond very quickly.

They also keep you in the loop when things go wrong. I had my debit card stolen and with alerts on my iphone i was able to login to my app, and shut down my card. Then when I had time, I called simple and they took care of everything. Mailed me a new card, filed the dispute on the charges and got my money back!

Taking a picture with your iPhone and depositing a check! Yes, about time. I know other banks are starting to do this too, but those banks charge you to use this feature.

Simple, no FEES! love it. Plus they give me interest. OK, THANK YOU!

I made more money from simple in the 2 months i had them, rather the 8+ years with a regular bank!

AWESOME!

If life is complicated, I seem to have somewhere chosen to make it worse.

I banked with... a BIG bank & had issues. Compromised account (2 times, honestly), fees, customer service that felt like I walked in to the bank as a convict!

They were scripted courteous, very programmed friendly.

I tried another big bank, Chase-ing that dream of grass greener etc.

No issues, but corporate feel of lack of customer care felt hollow.

I am an early adopter, wanting zen and minimalism as well as to try new tech, new concepts, new things.

I heard about Simple on lifehacker and requested an invite. The day came when I finally got in and I have switched almost completely.

I have my account, using goals/tracking/check depositing & am happy as a clam, if indeed clams are in a state of happiness.

The UI is easy and great, the check deposit is handy, pop up notitifications of activity, easy tracking (GPS coordinates optional on purchasing).

My wife & I are less fuss the better type people. We are both geeks with degrees in tech & science, so we leave the headaches at our day jobs, seeking less headache in our lives.

Simple has helped me get on top of our finances (Goals/tracking/bill pay) in a way I have not had success with before.

I have used BoA/Chase/Ally (GMAC) and a local credit union in the past 2 years. Now I use simple, and I am NOT going anywhere else!

Details: (iOS user, they have an Android app now too!)

TL;DR, I love simple.com

I know they are working on a form of joint accounting, and that is my last trully desired feature!

And really, amazing customer service!

Simple has 3 specific offerings that make it the best consumer banking solution in the US.

1. Simple's financial incentives are in line with their customers. Simple makes money on interest and interchange. No fee revenue. While not the "sexiest" detail, this makes them fundamentally different from every other retail banking experience.

2. Simple is a technology company. Their web and mobile offerings are in a different class then any other bank. Design and UX are huge priorities.

3. Customer service. Contact Simple. Seriously, do it. (888) 248-0632 or @simplify on Twitter. Real people who really care. I know it's hard to believe, but try it for yourself.

Upon waiting months for a invite only, I finally receive the email and apply.

To my surprise; my account is denied and NOT A SINGLE person at Simple can tell me why.

I have a great credit score and no problems but was denied and no one at Simple can even see my application...

Why would I trust them with my money?!

I joined Simple early on and I've been thrilled since. It's difficult to explain because there really isn't any tangible feature that they offer that would make you say "Hey, I'll leave my bank for that" instead it's how..well..simple they make EVERY feature. Sure my past banks offered mobile bill pay but it always felt like a chore to pay a bill using my phone. Not with Simple.com. All that aside there are two main reasons that I stick with and encourage my friends to join Simple:

1) Customer Service â?? I've never had friendlier customer service and more prompt. Just take a look at their Twitter account and that will give you a sense of how they respond to users. There's not boring formulated response but instead it's like asking your friend who just so happens to work at the bank to help you out. What a refreshing change from the big banks.

2) Fees â?? Sure their interest rates aren't the best and they don't have any rewards program as of yet but their fee schedule is the best around. And it's easy to understand. I was able to get my old bank to waive most of the fees if they got charged after sitting on the phone for about thirty minutes but who wants to deal with that.

Bottom line...a great bank with simple features and fantastic customer service.

Simple is definitely a different kind of online bank.

While many of todays top online banks focus on offering the highest interest rates for savings, cds and checking accounts. Simple chooses to be the best when it comes to the actual online banking experience. This is obvious by the 0.01% APY currently being offered on their checking and/or savings account.

Mirroring an almost Mint link money management interface, both their online and mobile app are a thing of beauty. While still missing features such as mobile deposit (& remote deposit), the ability to set and track goals as well as categorize my purchases is better than any other bank I am a member of (Chase and Ally).

If you don't care about interest rates or debit rewards, but instead want a checking account that helps you become a smart spender, than Simple is probably right for you.