<p>Would like to set up a bank account prior to arriving at Pitt… Is there a choice bank?</p>
<p>PNC - and they will conveniently have a signup table right by Panther Central during PittStart. Takes about 5 min.</p>
<p>a second vote for PNC! They offer no fee checking to Pitt students. I also like it because I can easily transfer funds to my D’s checking account. <a href=“https://www.pnc.com/webapp/unsec/Blank.do?siteArea=/pnccorp/pnc/home/personal/student+banking/university-of-pittsburgh[/url]”>https://www.pnc.com/webapp/unsec/Blank.do?siteArea=/pnccorp/pnc/home/personal/student+banking/university-of-pittsburgh</a></p>
<p>Another vote for PNC and they will have a sign-up table at PittStart.</p>
<p>I signed up for PNC at PittStart and it took all of 5 minutes. It’s great! The online banking feature is really easy to use and I can link it to my home account and make transfers online. Also, the PNC employees at the locations I frequent (the one on campus and one by my apartment) are the nicest people ever…haha</p>
<p>I’m curious though - what kind of national banks are there? Since I’m still gonna be home in Oklahoma for a couple months out of the year, it seems to make more sense to have an account I could more easily access from here. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Thanks! :)</p>
<p>runeagle- PNC offers free checking for students; I don’t know if the other banks will do that. Also, PNC has the most ATMs and branches all over Pittsburgh, so you’ll save on ATM fees if you use PNC. When you go home, you should be able to use your PNC ATM card for purchases. In all, you may not need another bank account for Oklahoma…but if you do, then you should be able to set things up so that you can transfer money between that other account and your PNC account.</p>
<p>We use PNC, too. You might do a search for Bank of America if you are looking for a National bank though I am not sure about it.</p>
<p>Bank of America does not have any ATM’s on campus or anywhere near campus.</p>
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<p>I’m not from Pittsburgh and there are many PNC locations in my home state, as well as many other states that I have been to (as far as Florida). When you sign up at the table, they will ask for your zipcode and tell you where the closest PNC to you at home is. Mine was conveniently 10 minutes away right next to my mom’s bank.</p>
<p>I’m on the same page as you, 4collegekid. I also wanted to sign up for an account before I arrived. I went with PNC. I signed up online and all they needed was for me to fax a copy of my license and soc card. I got my check card and everything else within a week. I am from MN so we don’t have PNC here… Our similar is TCF. I am keeping both accounts. I set up my direct deposit at work so 40% of my check goes to my PNC account, and 60% goes to my TCF. I am using my PNC account as a college time savings fund and not touching any of that money, only using money for purchases and bills from my TCF account. I just don’t carry that debit card with me. So far, it has been working really well!</p>
<p>Just an FYI for incoming students: the bookstore allows parents to keep a credit card on file for the student’s use. I find this very helpful because many things can be purchased there: school supplies, clothing, snacks, oh and books. I don’t have to worry if my daughter needs something on campus. DD has never abused the privilege.</p>
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<p>The bookstore is also outrageously overpriced in <em>most</em> things (their planners, I always buy!). They’re convenient, but I can imagine getting almost all those things at a much cheaper location. I can imagine that’s one of the reason’s your D never abuses the privilege :)</p>
<p>My point though, Awesome, is that she has that as an emergency in case she does not have the cash. I am sure that she would agree with you on cost, but sometimes spending a little extra for convenience is okay.</p>
<p>Our student used Citizens Bank as we have branches in our area that have awesome hours. One located in a building with Starbucks is open on Sat and Sun. Made it very easy to deposit $ as needed. CB has an ATM outside of the PITT union and another by Rita’s Italian Ice (?). Not nearly as many as PNC but they are there.</p>
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<p>Ahhhhhh gotcha. I didn’t really consider that since I set up a joint PNC account that my mom looks in on electronically a lot. If she sees me going low, she’ll transfer some more funds in. But the bookstore thing is a nice alternative too!</p>
<p>How about First Niagara Bank? Any of these on campus? We don’t have a PNC near us. Also, are there tables for banks other than PNC for easy account set up?</p>
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Google says that there is one at Forbes & Atwood (aka on campus) but when I checked with street view, it’s called National city. Not sure if that is the same thing.</p>
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<p>No. PNC has those tables because of the deal between Pitt and PNC to place their ATMs on and around campus. I don’t think any other banks are allowed to table at Pitt.</p>