Banks

Bank of America on the Downtown Mall.

Listed below are banks that have branches in town, with toll free numbers and web addresses, in case you would like to do some advance research before you arrive in town. Check the Yellow Pages or their web sites for addresses and phone numbers of the local branches after you arrive. Banks that have branches near the Law School are noted. Many of these banks offer free checking and ATM/debit cards to students of the University. Be sure to inquire.

Albemarle First Bank
www.albemarlefirst.com
973-1664

Locally established community bank with three branches.

Bank of America
www.bankofamerica.com
1-800-880-5454

Six branches, including one on Barracks Rd. near the Law School and several ATMs on main University Grounds.

BB&T
www.bbandt.com
1-800-273-7827
977-0336 (Ivy Rd. branch)

Five branches, including one on Ivy Rd., near the Law School.

First Citizens Bank
www.firstcitizens.com
1-888-323-4728

Three branches, including one in Harris Teeter in Barracks Road Shopping Center. Local bank.

Guaranty Bank
www.ubsh.com
1-800-396-0203

Six branches. Local.

Second Bank & Trust
www.stellarone.com
434-220-3312
1-800-825-4003

Locally owned bank with three Charlottesville branches, including one on Arlington Boulevard near the Law School and Barracks Road Shopping Center.

Suntrust
www.suntrust.com
1-888-786-8787

Five local branches, including one on Barracks Rd. and Emmett St., near the Law School

University of Virginia Community Credit Union
www.uvacreditunion.org
964-2001

Five branches, including one on Arlington Blvd., close to Law School. Formerly for UVA employees, now open to anyone in the community.

Virginia National Bank
www.vnbpeople.com
817-8621

Locally established community bank with four branches, one at the corner of Emmett St. and Arlington Blvd., near the law school.

Wachovia
www.wachovia.com
1-800-922-4685
244-3900

Eight branches, including one on Barracks Rd. and in Newcomb Hall on Central Grounds.

Note to International Students about Finances:

Managing financial resources is a highly individual and personal matter. In an unfamiliar monetary system where costs may be hard to predict, it goes without saying that it is important to budget available resources carefully to cover the necessities, such as tuition, housing, food, medical insurance, and medicine. And, of course, you should also plan for emergency and unexpected needs, such as dental work.

Overseas transfers of money can be complicated, costly, and time consuming, depending on the country from which the money is coming. We recommend that you contact your local bank before coming to the U.S. to discuss the best way to transfer your funds.

Most banks in Charlottesville are capable of handling overseas transfers of money, but some are more efficient than others. Most will limit the use of their services to customers who have accounts with them, a fact to keep in mind when opening an account with a Charlottesville bank.

Photo courtesy of the Charlottesville/Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau, www.SoVeryVirginia.com