Dec 13, 2024
When 56-year-old Derek Monroe had his checks rejected by Old National Bank, he found out his money wasn’t as readily available as he’d expected.
Monroe was attempting to move funds from a Wells Fargo checking account he set up for his son in college to a new financial institution, he told The U.S Sun.
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Using two checks provided by Wells Fargo would surely facilitate a simple transaction of $25,000, or so Monroe expected.
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But Monroe’s account with Wells Fargo was a checkless bank account.
Clear Access Banking accounts, the type Monroe opened for his son, don’t process checks and customers are informed of that when they open one, a Wells Fargo spokesperson told the U.S. Sun.
Wells Fargo told Monroe that he was incorrectly issued starter checks, and that his son at the University of Illinois would have to visit a Chicago branch in person to access any of the money.
Monroe said he traveled 11 hours and over 400 miles in two days to drop his son back at school after he took the bus into the city to visit a branch.
“I simply do not understand the corporate management and culture at the Wells Fargo bank as the only thing I can compare it to is a pirate ship without any control at the helm," Monroe told The U.S. Sun. “You just can’t make this stuff up.”
He filed a legal case against the bank for negligence and a breach of contract, but Wells Fargo ultimately issued an apology and offered Monroe a settlement of $750 — which he accepted.
What are starter checks?
Starter checks, or counter checks, are temporary checks banks can provide customers immediately.
The checks don’t contain personalized information like a name and address, but they do have your account numbers and bank routing code.
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Personalized checks need to be printed and can take time to deliver, while starter checks are available by branches on the spot.
Account holders still need to fill in their personalized information on the check itself when writing the dollar amount and who it’s made out to.
For any other account, these checks can be quite convenient, as long as they’re accepted by the receiving merchant — which isn't always the case.
But the trouble Monroe went through just to get access to his son’s college spending money highlights how crucial it can be to know the ins and outs of your bank account and how best to manage your finances as a whole.
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Financial options for college students
Whether you’re looking to budget or boost your credit score, those in college can benefit from a number of money management apps. Keeping track of your spending will help you identify where you may want to change your financial habits.
Cutting back now can help lessen the burden of any potential student debt you may carry after you graduate. This comes second to applying for government grants and loans if you’re eligible, of course.
Many restaurants, clothing stores and event spaces offer student discounts, too. You can try searching for student discounts in your area to maximize your funds. A high-yield savings account can also help you grow your savings a lot faster with a competitive interest rate.
Some banks in the U.S. offer special accounts for students in college or college-aged young adults. These accounts offer specific perks to try and entice students to start banking with major financial institutions, from curated cash back categories to no-fee accounts and free daily banking tools.
While opening an account can be a simple process, there are factors to consider before heading to your financial institution of choice. It pays to be prepared and know what you're signing up for to avoid any unexpected inconveniences.
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William Koblensky Varela is a Staff Reporter at Wise who has worked as a journalist for seven years covering finance, local news, politics, legal issues and the environment.
