When you move to a new city, you need your money as accessible as it can be — especially if you're lucky enough to get a refund from the finance office after your student loans come through. And students are choice targets for bank marketing; the likelihood is that you'll stick with your first bank for many years to come. (Ask those USM grads who banked "local" with Peoples Heritage before it became Banknorth, then TD Banknorth, and are still with the Toronto-based TD Bank.) We combed through the banks with branches around southern Maine to see what offers there are to attract your investment, and what services they have available.
Androscoggin Bank
ANDROSCOGGINBANK.COM
13 local branches
SPECIAL STUDENT OFFER: Blue Wave Access checking account waives the monthly $10 service fee as long as you get e-statements, have 1 direct deposit, and have 10 debit transactions each month
FREE CHECKING with minimum balance (no free checks)
MOBILE BANKING
FREE ATMS only at bank's own machines
FREE ONLINE BILLPAY including to utility companies and individuals (for rent)
Bangor Savings Bank
BANGOR.COM
14 local branches
FREE CHECKING with no minimum balance (no free checks, but will buy your unused old checks)
MOBILE BANKING
FREE ATMS worldwide
FREE ONLINE BILLPAY including to utility companies and individuals (for rent)
Bank of America
BANKOFAMERICA.COM
32 local branches
NO FREE CHECKING $25 minimum deposit
MOBILE BANKING
FREE ATMS only at bank's own machines
FREE ONLINE BILLPAY including to utility companies and individuals (for rent)
Bank of Maine
THEBANKOFMAINE.COM
32 local branches
SPECIAL STUDENT OFFER student credit cards available, depending on credit score
MOBILE BANKING
FREE CHECKING with no minimum balance (no free checks)
FREE ATMS nationwide
FREE ONLINE BILLPAY including to utility companies and individuals (for rent)
