<p>It appears that none of the banks that we currently have relationships with are easily accessible to Richmond students. So I am looking for a new bank for my daughter. Can someone comment on the banks in VA, which ones are convenient to the school and offer good/cheap services for students? </p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Sharon, <a href=“http://www.firstmarketbank.com/[/url]”>http://www.firstmarketbank.com/</a> First Market Bank (which was actually just acquired by Union Bank), has an ATM on campus (only one on campus). The nearest branch is in the Village shopping center in the Ukrop’s at the corner of Patterson Ave. and Three Chopt. That’s the bank that most students go with. There will most likely be reps on campus during orientation to help set up accounts during move in. FMB is known for great customer service and I doubt that will change after the merger.</p>
<p>Thanks Spider.</p>
<p>Hi Sharon, I was wondering the same thing about banking. When my daughter and I were at UR over the weekend, I also noticed a Bank of America and PNC Bank close by. I don’t know how the students feel about going off campus for banking…in fact, this is something I need to think through a bit more. </p>
<p>However, I would like a bank that has convenient branches near home as well as the school. I want to be able to deposit funds for my daughter when needed so she will have access to $$$ quickly. PNC seems to be the most convenient for us, but I know B of A is all over the US. It would be nice if PNC (in our case) waives ATM fees at non PNC locations.</p>
<p>Do you have other kids at college? Does this make any sense, or do you think this plan is too cumbersome? My daughter will have a vehicle on campus.</p>
<p>My son’s bank has an ATM on campus and a branch near him (also one near home) but we’re in the same state. From what I know he really doesn’t use the ATM but uses his debit card all the time and transfers money from his savings to his checking account. When he’s home he tends to use cash a bit more but at school it’s all his school id card which has some extra cash on it and his debit card.</p>
<p>Had no idea that PNC was nearby. Since we have our accounts at Vanguard and that offers a debit card with PNC that may be the best case for us as well. How far is that branch. My D won’t have a car but if it’s where the school shuttle goes that might work.</p>
<p>I have account with Wachovia, which can be slightly inconvenient if you need to get there often. There is one down Huguenot and another on W. Broad.</p>
<p>There is no PNC near campus. If there was I would have just kept my bank account. There are PNC ATMs but no PNC banks.</p>
<p>Kelliebm: Thanks for the heads up about the PNC ATM vs. Branch. </p>
<p>I must have been mistaken about the branch. I looked up PNC locations and see there is a PNC ATM 2.5 miles away on Forest Hill Ave. We were definitely near that location so I’m sure this is what we saw. The ATM is at a Wawa and is available 24 hours day. </p>
<p>I can’t think of any reason this wouldn’t still work for us. You can make deposits, transfer money between checking and savings, get cash, etc. Can anybody think of a need to have an actual branch?</p>
<p>I am assuming you can make deposits, transfers, etc. I will verify tomorrow and post results.</p>
<p>sabbo, honestly that’s kind of an out of the way location. I think I’'d rather pay the ATM fees and use the on-campus ATM. Cash isn’t really needed that much these days anyway.</p>
<p>Spiders05: I agree. I looked on a map and it’s further away than I realized. It makes sense to simply use the on campus ATM for cash, especially since cash isn’t needed that often. For other banking requirements, how convenient is BB&T?</p>
<p>sabbo, there’s a branch on the corner of River and Cary, which is right out the entrance by the apartments. If you aren’t going to go with First Market Bank, then it’s probably the most convenient.</p>
<p>Thanks Spiders05. We’ll probably do that. There isn’t a perfect solution for us. I really want to be able to make deposits for my daughter when needed, from home, although the closest branch at home is about 15-20 minutes away. This isn’t great, but fine for the emergency type banking I’m concerned with. Also, she will have access to her bank when home on breaks. The rest of the time I guess we can do online banking, bank check card, etc. and use the First Market Bank ATM when needed.</p>
<p>sabbo, she won’t really need too much cash on campus, as Spidercards are used for pretty much every transaction and you can put money on those. Honestly, the only thing I ever paid cash for while I was on campus was to friends buying alcohol.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info Spiders05 (although guaranteed you gave ksabbo another heart attack with the alchohol reference). I think we’ll end up opening an account with first market. I suspect she will need cash for travel to and from campus to the airport probably more than anything else. Otherwise I would think a debit card would probably work just fine.</p>
<p>sharon, just trying to be honest :)</p>
<p>For Spider2010–</p>
<p>I also wanted to add that there are Wachovia branches on Grove at Libbie Avenue and on Libbie right beside the 7/11 (across from Stuffy’s) that are closer than W. Broad or over Huguenot. Maybe that will save you time in the future. . . </p>
<p>Students can also cash checks (how old-fashioned!) in the Bursars Office on campus up to $200/day. Parents can deposit money onto Spider Cards via credit card (or debit, I’m sure) on-line. So the trip to the bank branch seems a lot less important than it used to back in the olden days!</p>
<p>Ha ha ha ha, I noticed that reference 
I’m still breathing:)</p>
<p>UR Admissions, as usual a wealth of information. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for all the information you have provided on this forum.</p>
<p>Yep, I agree. UR Admissions just made the banking thing a whole lot easier.</p>
<p>I’m glad to be of assistance!</p>