Dealing with the bank can be such a hassle. I've been with four different banks since starting college and they've all been a pain. First, I began with Bank of America. Coming from my small town to a big city, my home bank was no where to be found. I decided to get a Bank of America account in order to stay away from ATM fees since there was an ATM right on campus. At first, it was very smooth. They were friendly and had great customer service, until I lost my card one summer. The process to getting another card was not fun. They allowed me to use a temporary card, but somehow never sent my new card. I went back several times and had to use temporary cards for over three months. Finally, I got tired of it and just closed my account. I moved to Suntrust, basically because they were one of the few banks that were not charging a monthly fee. The service was nice and I began using my phone for banking. However, some strange behavior went on with my account and instead of getting to the bottom of it, they decided to close my account. That was a bummer. I finally moved to Chase. They make banking a lot easier on the customer. I'm able to use mobile banking on my phone and even deposit my check by taking a photo. They don't charge any fees because I am a student and took the time to go over everything with me before signing up. I enjoy banking at Chase and would recommend them to students. That has been my banking journey, here are some tips to help you on yours! Enjoy.
1. Decide what accounts you will need. Either checking, savings, or both. Most banks offer free checking for students as well as free checks.
2. Go mobile. Link your account to your phone, so you will have access to your balance, charges, and any other information at the palm of your hands. This will allow you to track your spending as well.
3. Think of convenience. You want to be able to have access to your bank and money in times of need. Consider bank locations and hours before signing up.
4. Direct Deposit your paycheck. This will save you time of waiting in a line to cash your check and have the money sent to your usually by midnight the day of. Most jobs post paper checks a few days later than direct deposits.
5. Avoid fees. Keep in mind of your balance so that you will not overdraft. Also, recognize what is pending on your account before making a purchase.
6. Customer Service. Coming in to a bank with great customer service always makes the experience a little better. :)
Leave a comment, question, concern, or mention me on twitter @carpeNIKA!
Signed,
A Broke College Student
1. Decide what accounts you will need. Either checking, savings, or both. Most banks offer free checking for students as well as free checks. 
