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Banking and debit/credit cards
Banks
There are many banks on the south and west sides of campus. If you’re currently banking with a large institution, chances are they have a Berkeley branch. (See down the page for locations of on-campus ATM machines.)

CUBS (Credit Union for Berkeley Students) is a student-run financial institution created for students, by students. CUBS offers everything available at a commercial bank. The only difference is that it is not-for-profit, which means that members enjoy higher dividends from checking and savings accounts, and lower interest rates on loans. Best of all, CUBS is the only financial institution on the Berkeley campus. Checking accounts, Visa cards, loans—you name it, they have it! Internships are also available. (cubsonline.org; Lower Sproul Plaza, next to STA Travel; 510/883-0517). CUBS is a branch of the Cooperative Center Federal Credit Union (coopfcu.org; 2001 Ashby Avenue; 510/845-6428).

Cal 1 Card Debit Account
When you add money to your Cal 1 Card, you can use it as a debit card with a variety of merchants (both on and off campus), and at your residence hall laundry vending machines. To add funds to your Cal 1 Card debit account and for more information, visit their website (cal1card.berkeley.edu; M-F, 9am-5pm; 180 Cesar Chavez Student Center; cal1card@berkeley.edu; 510/643-6839).

Credit cards
If you have not yet established credit, the Cal Student Store sponsors a variety of programs designed to start you out. Representatives from banks and other institutions can assist you in filling out an application from their tables outside the Cal Student Store (Bancroft entrance) (calstudentstore.com; 510/642-9000).

The credit card blues Credit cards are great for emergencies—and for items you can pay off within the free grace period—but many students quickly end up with large balances that take years to pay off. Credit cards can come with hidden fees and charges that run up the cost of what you owe. Educate yourself regarding grace periods, annual fees, APRs (annual percentage rates), closure fees, and fixed vs. variable interest rates.

Campus ATM Locations
Bank of America (4)
Golden Bear Café
Long Library
Pat Brown’s Grill
Terrace Café

USE Credit Union (1)
RSF lobby

Cal State 9 Credit Union (2)
MLK Jr. Student Union
Moffitt Library entrance

US Bank (2)
International House cafe
MLK Student Union

Washington Mutual (1)
Bear’s Lair

Cal 1 Card, On-campus locations

Off-campus merchants

Check cal1card.berkeley.edu for a complete list of merchants.