MidFirst Bank began its partnership with ASU in 2012 and has since continued to reach more students and open multiple locations on campus.
So far, MidFirst Bank has opened locations on the basement floor of the Memorial Union on the Tempe campus and in the University Center on the Downtown campus. The bank will be opening a second center on the main floor of the Memorial Union this fall, MidFirst marketing director David Collins said in an email.
“As has been described, MidFirst has invested in an extensive on-campus ATM network and absorbs bank-related fees when customers use a non-MidFirst ATM," he said. "Students also have the opportunity to participate in on-campus and online financial management training."
In 2011, ASU was in search of a banking partner to provide banking products and services to ASU students, alumni and community. MidFirst was selected out of eight other banks to partner with ASU.
MidFirst wanted to partner with ASU to establish long-term banking relationships with students, faculty, staff and alumni while contributing to higher education, Collins said.
“MidFirst Bank is committed to working closely with ASU in an effort to make a positive contribution to the university experience while serving the financial needs of Sun Devils for years to come,” Collins said in an email interview.
MidFirst’s banking system is still in the early stages of the partnership and even though the percentage of students banking with MidFirst is low, MidFirst has gained positive feedback and responses from the participants, Collins said.
“MidFirst Bank’s experience with ASU has been very positive,” Collins said in an email interview. “The University’s administration has been supportive of MidFirst’s efforts to deliver convenient, value-oriented banking services to the campus environment and to ASU alumni and fans.”
MidFirst Bank offers combined ASU ID and debit card to students as an opportunity to manage debt responsibly, Collins said.
Food and nutrition management freshman Mechaela Crosky uses MidFirst and chose the all-in-one checking and University ID card as well.
“It’s nice because it counts as my Sun Card and ID, but it’s also nice that you can use it for cash on hand as well as an ID,” she said. “I used to bank with Chase, and it would have been hard having two separate cards.”
John Riley, associate vice president of University business services, said that the bank offers convenient services to the ASU community without hidden or monthly service fees.
Students who choose to use the bank also have access to a MidFirst Bank app for online banking.
“I think using the app is an individual decision," Riley said. "You have to be comfortable doing banking electronically. Most students do not seem to have a problem using it."
Reach the reporter at brittany.dierken@asu.edu or follow her on Twitter @brittanydierken
