<p>So, I'm trying to choose which SFCU account to create. I'm leaning towards the Premier Checking Account. It says that a savings account is also required for that option. Do you have to create the Checking Account and Savings Account separately or does the savings account come automatically with the Checking Account?? </p>
<p>Alsooo any input on which account I should choose?? Also are the dividends any good? Like how much do you ppl who have it get per month through dividends?? I never had a bank account before, so don't mind if my questions are retarded.</p>
<p>I don’t know if you’re completely set on opening with SFCU, but I would take a look at PNC’s Virtual Wallet. With the Virtual Wallet you have 3 accounts: two chequing accounts (labeled “Spend” and “Reserve” respectively) and a Savings account (“Growth”) Right now the savings account has a 1.75% interest rate, which is pretty good from what I can tell. It helps you organize your money and budget easily. <a href=“https://www.pncvirtualwallet.com/[/url]”>https://www.pncvirtualwallet.com/</a></p>
<p>Don’t use SFCU. Period. Especially if you’ve never had a bank account. </p>
<p>Get PNC. Trust us.</p>
<p>I know enough people who had SFCU freshman year and switched to different banks for sophomore year.</p>
<p>I’m not legal yet, but can I still open the PNC VW program by myself or do I have to apply with my parents??</p>
<p>When I read this topic name, the theme song of “The Apprentice” ran through my mind…</p>
<p>Not to steal your thread for my own purposes, but what about Wachovia? Convenient/inconvenient for living on campus?</p>
<p>For PNC, I went in there before school started and I <em>think</em> I still needed my parents (was 17 at the time).</p>
<p>I use Wachovia. PNC is a lot more convenient on campus. Wachovia is at 34th and Chesnut (1 block walk if you live in Hill) and has an ATM at 40th and Market (convenient to walk by when going to SEPTA). I use it because it’s a lot more convenient for me at home where the closest one is 5 minutes away while the nerest PNC is 20+ minutes. If Wachovia is still doing the referal process put my name down so I get $25.</p>
<p>How about Chase/WaMu?</p>
<p>^none on campus as far as I know. PNC, SFCU and Wachovia all have brances and ATMs on campus. Wawa has no surcharge on their ATMs (two on campus) but your bank might still charge you (mine does).</p>
<p>are there Bank of America ATMs anywhere where Penn students often go?</p>
<p>^I believe Bank of American is in China Town. It’s like 20 minutes away on SEPTA, but pretty inconvenient if you need fast cash.</p>
<p>well what do you need cash for on campus (doesn’t take debit or credit)? I’m assuming you need cash for the food carts…but what else?</p>
<p>I would just recommend getting PNC. There are PNC ATM’s all over Philadelphia, and quite a few of them on campus as well. There are even a few PNC branches nearby (one’s on 40th and Walnut or so, and there’s another one around… I think 34 or 35th and Market). The convenience is well worth it – you can also link your Penn Card to your account so you can use it at ATM’s. There have been plenty of times when I’ve needed to stop by somewhere for quick cash, and I wouldn’t have been able to do it nearly as quickly had I used another bank.</p>
<p>I also recall, as an incoming freshman, getting my PNC account set up. There were booths in Houston Hall and the entire process was extremely easy and painless.</p>
<p>There are 3 PNC <em>branches</em> on campus, and countless ATMs. It’s definitely the easiest. </p>
<p>They’re supposedly opening a Bank of America branch in the radian (on campus).</p>
<p>As for cash - there’s a decent number of places that will only take cash (like the food carts). Taxis are a pain without cash, and public transit only takes cash. Also, if you ever need to share / pay back anyone, it better be in cash. </p>
<p>(I’m actually on the way out the door to find a bank in Seattle, as there are no PNCs west of Ohio…)</p>
<p>or i think u can just charge 2 yr penn card, even if it’s not connected to a bank. not sure if there’s interest.</p>