BUCKHANNON – Whether you’re coming to Buckhannon to start your college adventure or a local student beginning your own financial journey, make the back-to-school transition a breeze by establishing a bank account locally.

While in search of the perfect bank, take these features into consideration:

• Is this location easily accessible from campus life?
• What online banking features are available?
• Would a checking or savings account benefit you most?
• Where is the nearest ATM location?
• What fees are associated with the account?

Fortunately, local financial institutions offer accounts specifically geared toward students. Here are three of our favorite student banking options available in Upshur County:

CITIZENS BANK OF WEST VIRGINIA

Citizens Bank of West Virginia can be found in the heart of downtown Buckhannon at 66 West Main Street. The friendly staff and warm atmosphere welcome all, from first-time bank patrons to long-time account holders. Citizens Bank is headquartered in nearby Elkins and has been serving the north-central West Virginia area for nearly a century — in fact, they’ll celebrate their 100th birthday in 2024!

The Free Checking account is a great option for students looking to begin their banking journey. In addition, Citizens Bank’s digital wallet will make daily life easier for students as they can shop without carrying cash or cards. Learn more about the Free Checking account.

Each account provides patrons with a variety of easy-to-use features:

• Make Mobile Deposits
• Pay Bills and Add New Payees
• Make Real-Time Person-to-Person (P2P) Payments
• Check Account Balances
• View Transaction History
• Transfer Money to and from your Internal and External Accounts
• Set Debit Card Controls
• Set Up Custom Account Alerts
• ATMs at St. Joseph’s Hospital (1 Amalia Drive), Citizens Bank of West Virginia customers may also use any Sheetz ATM free of charge
• Instant Debit Card Replacement

The Buckhannon branch lobby hours are as follows: Monday thru Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The lobby is closed on Saturdays.

The Buckhannon branch drive-thru hours are as follows: Monday thru Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The drive-thru is open on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Join Citizens Bank of West Virginia this fall to make the back-to-school transition a breeze. Learn more about available services for students by phone at 304-472-0052 or visit the Buckhannon branch at 66 West Main Street. Check out more banking services at the Citizens Bank of West Virginia website.

BC BANK

BC Bank is located in Buckhannon’s lively Northridge Plaza. Headquartered just a few miles away in Philippi, BC Bank has branches across north-central West Virginia. As the school bells start to chime, BC Bank invites students to learn more about account options, loans and financial preparedness at their Buckhannon branch. The BC Bank team is ready to “Help You Keep Your Promises.”

Services available to students include:

• Personal/Business Checking 
• Saving Accounts
• Credit Cards
• Safe Deposit Boxes
• Online Banking
• Same Day/Instant Issue Debit Cards
• Remote Deposit Anywhere
• Personal/Auto Loans
• Online Loan Payments

The lobby of the Buckhannon branch is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There is no drive-thru at this location.

Join BC Bank for an easy transition to higher education. Learn more about available services for students by phone at 304-460-7008 or visit the Buckhannon branch at 4 Northridge Drive, Suite 106. Check out more banking services at the BC Bank website.

Visit the BC Bank Corporate Headquarters at 27 Pike Street in Philippi, West Virginia. Contact the BC Bank Corporate Headquarters office at 304-457-3300.

BC Bank is a Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.

FIRST COMMUNITY BANK

First Community Bank is tucked into the bustling Main Street of downtown Buckhannon. Headquartered in Bluefield, Virginia, the bank has nearby branch locations in Buckhannon and Grafton, West Virginia.

This financial institution provides a variety of services to meet personal, professional, mortgage and wealth responsibilities. The Buckhannon branch of FCB offers patrons an XpressBanker Interactive Teller Machine [ITM] for deposit and withdrawal capabilities, 24/7. This service could be appealing to students who often operate on unique and demanding schedules.

The ITM machines allow customers to: 

• Deposit Checks or Cash 
• Cash Checks 
• Transfer Funds 
• Check Balances 
• Change First Community Bank Debit Card PINs. 

The easy-to-use Xpress by FCB mobile app showcases account activity right at your fingertips. Services available via the mobile app include: 

• Balance Inquiries 
• Low-Balance Alerts 
• MyFinance Free Financial Planning Tool 
• Bill Pay 
• Funds Transfers Between FCB Accounts 
• Mobile Deposit 
• Person-to-Person Payments 
• And MORE!

“First Community Bank invites you to stop by and visit with one of our personal bankers. Our team stands ready to assist you with all of your financial needs,” said Buckhannon’s First Community Bank team.

The First Community Bank lobby at the Buckhannon branch is open Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The drive thru is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Join First Community Bank this fall for stress-free convenience when the school bell rings. Learn more about FCB student services and more at 304-472-1112 or visit the friendly FCB team at 2 West Main Street in Buckhannon. Learn more about FCB accounts, services and online banking at the FCB website.