Finance

Banking

Before getting to college is the best time to go shopping around for the best banking deals you can get. All the major banks are in serious competition for your meagre funds (soon to be massive debts) so find out who is giving the best offers for you. Don't be taken in by free cinema tickets, or a flashy card - money is money. The best advice given to most students by wise old women is - "Look after the pennies, and the pounds will look after themselves". This could not be more true.

On choosing a bank, ask as many people as possible what their experiences were - some banks are student friendly, others, well, some others are plainly student-hostile. Some will give you good interest-free overdraft facilities (VITAL!) whilst others will give you a cash bonus for banking with them.

Remember, you are in the driving seat here - students are the most desirable market for banks and other companies, since (hopefully) in three or four years time, you are the guys and gals that are going to be earning serious cash. They want to get in on the act and influence your fragile little minds now, so don't stand for it if your bank starts screwing you around - just walk up to the counter and say "I would like to take my overdraft to a company that really appreciates my custom"… and then cringe.