Banks near Western

 If you don't need a lot of connections outside the whatcom county area I would check out the Whatcom Educational Credit Union (wecu).... I don't currently use them but I am thinking about switching so I do.... they offer pretty good rates, and free atms (they won't charge you a fee to use their atm's even if you are with another bank... your bank might though).  They also have ATM's all over campus (they and bank of america are the only banks with ATMs on campus)

Good luck! and don't take my word for it.... check them out!

I would also recommend WECU. I've been a member there since I was 10 or so, and I've had nothing but good experiences. Not only do they have ATM's all over campus, but there's a branch downtown and also one in Fairhaven, both of which are about a 5 minute bus ride (or drive) from campus. I would suggest opening up a savings account as well as a checking account. When you have both, and you overdraft your checking account, they transfer funds from your savings into your checking to cover the amount overdrafted and you're only charged $1, as opposed to some banks that charge anywhere from $20 to $40. Plus their online banking is really easy to use. Bottom line, WECU is great. 

I'll thrown in another vote for WECU! Moving from California to Bellingham last year, I had all my banking set up Wells Fargo. It stayed that way until Spring quarter.

The biggest thing that pissed me off about Wells Fargo was the fact that if I took out money using a WECU ATM on campus (surcharge free), Wells Fargo charged me $2.50 every transaction. So even though WECU doesn't charge anyone to use the ATMs, Wells Fargo charged me.

Went down to WECU, Drivers License, SS Card, and passport in hand; walked out 15 minutes later with an account. Very friendy people, absolutely no complaints here!

For a non-local bank, Bank of America is heavily represented in the Bellingham area! There's one ATM in the Viking Commons on North Campus, and then plenty of locations throughout Bellingham, as well. I haven't ever had difficulty getting checks deposited or making withdrawals.

Good luck at Western!

I was just talking to a friend about how we don't like Chase. I have heard great things about WECU. I personally would not recommend Bank of America. I would check out WECU.

I would recommend WECU as well. I don't bank with them (I have BECU and I'm very happy with them), but I personally think that credit unions are way better than other banks.

Good luck!

I have lived in Bellingham my whole life. WECU is the way to go. I have never had any problems with my bank or my debit card. The card is cute too. And there have been a few times where I overcharged my account and when I explained why they took off my overdraft fee. They do have an international fee, but I think everyone does.

It is the same bank that the school banks with, so your financial aid checks clear as soon as you deposit them. Also, the one at cost cutter down the street from the park and ride is open late, and on saturday and sunday. I have been doing my banking there for three years. They are pretty good to students.

WECU is probably good to, but I doubt that you can find on on weekends, plus the check clearing thing..

ta! 

 Thanks guys this has been a lot of help. I'm definately going to be checking out WECU.

I've heard that WECU is great but if you don't live in Bham it can be a pain. I personally don't live here but have an account with GESA credit union at home. I got an account with bank of america because the only way to make deposits in a credit union is to go to the bank, which is inconventien it you don't live in the same town, or to mail it in. So if you aren't planning on staying in bham over the summer and such it can be a pain. Personally i would suggest bank of america because they are all over the country so you always have access to your bank. They also have an atm on campus and a bank down the street. I also love their keep the change which really helps you save money without even noticing. Online banking with them is also really simple and they don't add on a bunch of charges if you accidently overdraft your account.

Good luck with your seach

I would keep your Chase one even if you get WECU account. WECU has been great while I've been in Bellingham, but over the summers when I would head out of Bham, it was nice to have my Wamu/Chase account. Mine is a free checking account so it isn't a problem to keep it open and just not use it for most of the year.

Another thing about WECU: 1.5% interest on savings accounts.