<p>Does anyone have any advice concerning which bank I should set up a savings/checking account with? Do you think it would be easiest to go with whichever bank is closest to West Point? I remember reading a thread about this a while back, but I can't find the thread.</p>
<p>Thanks,
TMac</p>
<p>Hey Im class of 2009... I'm now a yuk. I'm home for summer leave right now and thought I'd help out a few people online real quick and return the favor for the help I got when I was a candidate. </p>
<p>I found that using Pentagon Federal Credit Union worked out great. There is a branch in Taylor hall that you can access any time of the day. There are also two easy to access ATMs, one in Grant Hall (cadet restaurant) and one in the mail room underneath the messhall. You can also get paid directly into your PenFed account. You may also want a seperate bank for when you are home because there are not too many PenFed branches around the US. Good Luck.</p>
<p>Can I set up an account now or will I have to wait until after Beast?</p>
<p>You can set the account up now. Go to their website on line and submit an application. One of the things they ask you for is your branch of service. Indicate service academy and which one. You don't want to wait till after Beast as the army will need an account to direct deposit your paycheck into beginning Aug 1.</p>
<p>Does anybody know if the new cadets will get paid in July? Shogun mentioned August 1.</p>
<p>I thought our accounts had to be set up at least 30 days before R-Day</p>
<p>Your pay for the July pay period will be deposited around August 1. You need your accounts set up in time for R day so you can provide direct deposit info to WP when you report.</p>
<p>I highly recommend USAA. It's great for military members, when you're Cows, they are the ones who will give you your Cow Loan and you'll have to direct deposit your pay check to them. They are military friendly in that you must be military or related to military to join. The investment guys work on salary, not a commission, so they give it to you straight up. USMA has one of the few branch offices for it, but banking with them online is very easy--whether your in the states, Germany, or Iraq and Afghanistan. ATM charges are reimbursed. It's a great bank to work with. I signed up with them when I got my cow loan in 2001, and they have been AWESOME to work with since. Just my two cents.</p>
<p>We actually opened our daughter's account just a few days before R-Day. We walked into the Pentagon Federal Credit Union's office in Highland Falls (across the street from the Visitors' Center). They gave her a lot of information and have also been great to work with. The really nice part of this is that we didn't have a chance to lose the paperwork. ;)</p>
<p>Here's a link to the branch with the days and hours they are open. </p>
<p>Just make sure you have this done before R-Day - no matter what bank you use.</p>
<p>USAA is the greatest bank on the planet.</p>
<p>quick question, i just signed up wit Pen Fed. Should I send the direct deposit to the mailing center or the actual branch near WP?</p>
<p>Signed up as well. Very easy.</p>
<p>We've missed the big fella. :D</p>
<p>I just spoke with a rep, hugh jass. They said bring the form and get it filled out at the branch. Hope your showing up at least one day before R-day. If not, you probably will have to call in and ask for something special. I'm going the 24th so it'll easy for me to pop by.</p>
<p>....Actually they are closed on Saturday. My check-in is at 8:30 and the bank opens at 8:30. This presents a couple of problems.</p>