Banks

There are a number of bank options, the most popular of which are summarized below:

Cornell Fingerlakes Credit Union (257-8500)

• Branch office in Bailey Hall (D4)
• ATM's throughout Ithaca, including Jason's Deli in Collegetown and Mayer's magazine shop near the Commons
• NOTE: To join the Cornell FingerLakes Credit Union, you must be an employee of Cornell. (Research and teaching assistantships qualify you for membership, fellowships may not; take a pay stub with you when you go to join.)

M&T Bank (CLICK HERE, 1-800-724-2440)

• Branch office in Willard Straight Hall (B5)
• ATM's in Willard Straight Hall (B5), Collegetown, and downtown, as well as many other locations in Ithaca

The Tompkins Trust Company
(CLICK HERE, 273-3210)

• Has a branch in the campus store
• ATM machine in Collegetown and numerous branches and machines throughout the Ithaca area.
• Internet banking available

Bank of America (CLICK HERE)

• Has a branch in the Commons
• ATM machine in Collegetown, in the Commons, and in other locations throughout Ithaca.
• Internet banking available
• Branches throughout the eastern United States.

There are a few other options that are not as convenient in terms of ATM placement but may be desirable for other reasons. Of particular note is the Alternatives Federal Credit Union, located downtown, which specializes in making loans to local poor and needy causes. They also will do your taxes for you for free if your income is less than a certain amount! As a rule of thumb, small and local banks usually offer better interest rates and lower cost than do larger ones. Check the Yellow Pages for other local and regional banks. In addition, for CDs and money market accounts, Smith Barney (downtown) often has better deals than the banks do.

Graduate students who receive stipend checks from Cornell may be interested in Cornell's direct deposit program. See section 3.3.2 for more information. In addition, most utility and phone companies offer electronic funds transfer payments, and will simply take the money for bills out of your account each month.