There really isn’t a whole lot to say on checking accounts other than - open one. As a college student, it is very important to have easy access to your money and a checking account that provides an ATM cards is a convenient option. In addition, checking and savings accounts help in building good credit due to their being a sign of stability and the foundations of a financial history. Many banks even offer accounts specifically for college students with benefits such as free checks and ATM transactions. In my opinion, the best programs out there are ‘uh-oh’ programs that protect you against overdraft (taking more money out then you have). While you cannot get a credit card without being 18, most banks will allow you to open up a checking account along with a debit card. If your bank happens to discriminate against us young adults and you have a problem opening an account, I suggest looking into another bank or opening a joint account with an adult.
