<p>I'm coming to cornell this weekend to set up a banking account and cell phone plan. I was wondering if there were any recommendations for banks and cell phone carriers since I am not familiar with the area at all. Thanks!</p>
<p>any suggestions?</p>
<p>here’s a web page that lists the banks/ATMs on campus and in the area:</p>
<p>[Cornell</a> University - Search Cornell](<a href=“Cornell University | Search Pages”>Cornell University | Search Pages)</p>
<p>Cellphone plan: Verizon or AT&T. Verizon has best service on campus as well as off campus. AT&T is the second best.</p>
<p>Bank: M&T, HSBC, Bank of America, Tompkins Trust Company, etc.
M&T has ATMs across the campus, so does Tompkins Trust.
Bank of America only has one ATM on west campus, one in collegetown, and another one in commons.
HSBC has one ATM in Willard Straight Hall, another one in commons, and another one near the mall.</p>
<p>Bank of America, AT&T.</p>
<p>DO NOT under any circumstances get Sprint for cell phones. There is no service on North Campus and their “unlimited” plan only covers 800 min of roaming.</p>
<p>D says Verizon has the best service. ( I hope so, just got her an I phone w/ Verizon plan)</p>
<p>Verizon phones do not work well overseas. AT&T is the way to go. Not sure if there is a need to bank at a local bank. My kid didn’t use cash that much, she used her debit card to buy most stuff. She had an acct tied to ours, so we could transfer money to her acct quickly.</p>
<p>I opened up an account with M&T, but only because there’s a branch like 5 minutes from my home. If you don’t live on the east cost (i.e., you don’t have an M&T in reasonable driving distance from your house), I’d advise you open up a Bank of America account. It might be slightly less convenient (nearest ATM in Collegetown), but at least you can bank in places other than Ithaca.</p>
<p>Our old Verizon phones did not work overseas, so they sent us an international phone for use. They even provided the packaging to return it. My son used one for a summer in the UK, and I’ve used one throughout Europe and in Africa. While it’s not as convenient as taking your own phone, it’s just a simple matter of making the arrangements (online) and switching over to the new phone for the trip. Same number. So I wouldn’t let that dissuade you from Verizon, if Verizon works best on campus and in the Ithaca area. It is not a major problem for the typical traveler, or student, although it would certainly be a hassle for someone who travels back and forth frequently for work.</p>
<p>FYI - Verizon iPhone can’t be unlocked to use international sim card. My daughter is in UK now, she was able to buy a sim card for 15 pounds to pop into her AT&T iPhone. It has unlimited data and 3000 texts and .03/min for international calls.</p>