Banking made easier

FAMU checking accounts through Capital City Bank help students manage their money by providing them with access to 24 hour automated service that will give them fast and accurate information about their account, along with “Quick Bucks” ATM’s that are placed in three different location around campus.

“We try to make it very easy for the students to bank with us,” said Beverly Duinkerken who is the assistant vice president and senior office manager of the South Monroe office at Capital City Bank.

“Several times a year Capital City Bank goes to FAMU and opens accounts. We offer all of our services during registration periods for fall, spring semester and freshmen orientation,” she added

According to Duinkerken, students need to take care of their credit along with budgeting their money. In order to take care of their credit, students should have an account with a local bank and be accountable for their money, this will help them manage their money better instead of spending it quickly.

“As soon as I get money, I spend it on bills, groceries, recreation and the remainder goes into the bank if there is a portion left over” said Toccara Keels from Miami who banks at First Union.

Duinkerken informs students that when they leave from school at the end of the year, they need to take care of their account by placing their account in a Summer Wave. The summer wave allows the student’s account to be in the same status that they left it in when they return to school.

There are other financial institutions such as credit unions for students to join, which will also help them to balance their money.

” I have accounts at both a bank and a credit union. The bank offers me both a checking and savings account and the credit union offers me a savings account and great benefits,” said Kinie Biandudi a banker from St. Petersburg.

“Every week I’m paid, I keep about 50 dollars out of my check for expenses for that week. The remainder of my check is deposited into my bank account,” said Biandudi.

“If you learn how to be a (money) saver you will be a saver all of your life,” said Duinkerken. “You will always have those times when things are hard, but if you learn how to be a saver or if you learn how to make things work with what little money you have, then you will always be a saver.”