Welcome to the Official Bank of UC Berkeley
Bank of the West is a fundamentally different bank. We are taking bold action for the planet and leading in the areas of sustainability, global impact and diversity.
We’re on Campus
We have a branch and 10 convenient ATMs right on campus for your convenience, as well as other locations across the US for when you head home.
We Have International Reach
As a member of the BNP Paribas Group, our values and presence span the globe across 71 countries. With us, so does your potential!
We're Sustainable and Diverse
Bank of the West has the strongest environmental stance of any major bank. We also lead diversity by example with a female CEO and nearly 30% female leadership
Where you put your money matters.
Open a checking account with a bank that finances a sustainable tomorrow.
1% for the Planet Account
The first bank account designed for climate action1
- We donate 1% of our net revenue from this account to 1% for the Planet (at no cost to you)4
- $0 monthly service charge with any deposit per statement or if you are under the age of 252
- No minimum opening deposit. No minimum balance requirement
- Track CO2 Impact of every purchase made on the 1% for the Planet debit card3
- Debit card made from 100% biodegradable plastic5
UC Berkeley Student Checking
The bank account designed with students in mind
- $0 monthly service charge as long as you are a UC Berkeley Student6
- Online and Mobile Banking— check your balance, make deposits, view transactions, and set up low balance alerts7
- Open your account with just a $20 deposit. No minimum balance requirement
- Student Perks Bundle— earn debit rewards and get rebates on 2 non-Bank of the West ATM transactions per month.8
Apply on campus at the MLK building Branch or at your nearest bank of the West Branch
Open your account today
Apply online or open your account today at a local Bank of the West branch
Students
Applying or opening an account should have the following available
- A valid UC Berkeley student Cal 1 Card
- A government-issued identification card (such as U.S. or Canadian driver's license or a U.S. passport)
- Social Security number
- Initial deposit of at least $20 in cash or check
International Students
Applying or opening an account should have the following available
- Non-resident applicants should provide a Taxpayer Identification Number or certified W-8
- Must certify their foreign status by completing and signing the appropriate Certification of Foreign Status (W-8) at the time of account opening and every three years thereafter
Note
- If you apply online, you can use your home address if it's in one of the 19 states where we have branches, or you can use your UC Berkeley address.
- Under the age of 18 you will need to apply with a co-parent
Come visit us
MLK Jr. Building in the ASUC Student Union, First Floor
Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm PST
1 (510) 935-7012
TTY: 1 (800) 659-5495
TTY: 1 (800) 659-5495
Bank of the West has 10 convenient ATMs and an on-campus branch. Bank of the West also has branches and ATMs across USA for when you head home.
Why We Accelerate Businesses Led by Women
In America, working mothers are the norm. And around the world, we anticipate that women-owned businesses will be a key economic growth driver in the 21st century. Learn more
How to Switch Banks in 5 Steps
While switching banks isn’t as complicated as one might think, it shouldn’t be done in one fell swoop. Learn more
What Banks Do With Your Money
At Bank of the West, we believe the money you put into the bank can help protect the environment and invest in a sustainable future. Learn more
FAQs
What if I'm a graduate student?
Our UC Berkeley Student Checking account is available to UC Berkeley students with a valid student Cal 1 Card, including graduate students. There is no maximum age as long as a valid student Cal 1 Card is presented.
What if I'm a UC Berkeley student and an employee of the university?
UC Berkeley students who are also employed by the university and meet the requirements for the Bank at Work program, including one direct deposit of at least $250 per statement cycle, may choose between the Bank at Work program and the UC Berkeley Student Checking account. The UC Berkeley Student Checking account cannot be combined with the Bank at Work program. Learn more about the UC Berkeley Bank at Work program.
What Bank of the West services are available to UC Berkeley alumni?
We have a strong affinity relationship with UC Berkeley and the Cal Alumni Association. As part of this relationship, we're featuring our Premier Checking and Wealth Management services to UC Berkeley alumni. Alumni interested in these or any of our other products and services should contact a Bank of the West branch, explore our website or call our Bank of the West UC Berkeley hotline at 1-510-982-3201 Mon–Fri 9 am–5 pm PT to learn more.
Does Bank of the West offer student savings accounts that could be used for overdraft protection?
While there is no specific savings account for the UC Berkeley Student Checking Offer, students may apply for one of our savings accounts, which can be linked to your checking account for overdraft protection. Transfers from a linked savings account are subject to the available balance in the savings account, and there is a $12 transfer fee each time. Other fees and restrictions may apply. For more information on our Overdraft Programs, please visit our Overdraft Program Options page.
Our Classic Savings account is a great choice for those who are newer to saving and just want to put away a little extra. This is the savings account with our lowest opening deposit (minimum $25), yet it still earns interest. With a low minimum balance of $300 or a monthly recurring Auto-Save transfer of $25 from your Bank of the West checking account, we'll waive the $5 monthly service charge.
Is a credit card being offered through the Bank of the West student program?
No. There is no credit card offer associated with the UC Berkeley Student Checking account.
Legal information and Disclosures
1 The 1% for the Planet account is the Any Deposit Checking account that donates 1% of the net revenue to environmental nonprofits through the 1% for the Planet organization.
2 $10.00 monthly service charge waived with one deposit of any amount each statement cycle. Deposits include direct deposit, mobile deposit, ATM deposit, or in-branch deposit of any amount. Does not include fund transfers between Bank of the West accounts or any credits from Bank of the West. Opening deposit can be any amount ($0.01 or more). No monthly service charge if any account owner is under age 25.
3 The carbon tracking tool, which will appear in the Bank of the West Mobile app for 1% for the Planet account, uses the Aland Index, a cloud-based service for carbon impact calculations, to provide a measurement of the potential carbon impact of purchases made with the 1% for the Planet debit card. The calculation is based on the merchant code, a code that indicates the types of goods or services a company provides, and the amount of the purchase. The actual carbon impact may be higher or lower than the measurement provided. The Aland Index is the leading index solution for carbon emission calculations for payments and financial transactions. The Aland Index Solution is a joint venture between Alandsbanken and Doconomy. Bank of the West licenses the Aland Index through Doconomy. To learn more visit alandindexsolutions.com.
4 Net revenue is defined as fees charged directly to the account, plus interest income, minus losses. Net fees is gross fees charged less reversals. Interest income is defined as the lowest end of the target Fed Funds range during the time period being assessed, multiplied by the average balance of the account and the percent of days in the year during which balances were held. Debit card revenue is not included in the account revenue calculation.
5 The EMV chip, magnetic strip, ink and hologram are not biodegradable
A Bank of the West account is not required for any aspect of the Cal 1 Card or its debit feature.
6 The UC Berkeley Student Checking account offer is only available to UC Berkeley students. A current student Cal 1 Card, transcript, class schedule, or for incoming students an acceptance letter, must be presented at account opening. All accounts are subject to the standard Bank of the West Deposit Account Disclosure for Personal Accounts and the Schedule of Fees and Charges. Renew your UC Berkeley student status before the six-year anniversary of your account by presenting a valid student Cal 1 Card. Otherwise your account will be converted to our Any Deposit Checking product and the $5 monthly Student Perks Bundle fee will no longer be waived.
7 Enrollment in Online Banking and download of our Mobile App required. Wireless carriers may charge fees for text transmissions or data usage. Message frequency depends on account settings. Text HELP to BKWST (25978) for help. Availability of Mobile Banking may be affected by your mobile device's coverage area. Requires mobile phone with text messaging capabilities. Mobile Banking requires an internet-ready phone and is supported on Apple iPhone devices with iOS 9 and greater and on Android mobile devices with OS 5 and greater. Mobile deposits made before 7 pm PT will be processed the same business day and made available within two business days. Longer delays may apply based on the type of items deposited, amount of the deposit, account history or if you have recently opened your account with us.
8 Student Perks Bundle includes benefits for using non-Bank of the West ATMs and enrollment in debit rewards. The $5 monthly Student Perks Bundle fee is waived for UC Berkeley Student Checking accounts. There's no Bank of the West charge for two transactions per statement cycle ($2.50 per transaction) for non-Bank of the West ATM transactions (balance inquiry, transfer, withdrawal); and up to $6 per statement cycle for fees charged by non-Bank of the West ATMs for use of their ATMs will be rebated within one business day. Foreign transaction fees may apply..