Bank on Brazos Valley is a collaborative effort of local banks, nonprofit groups, government entities, private businesses and interested volunteers working together to improve the financial stability of individuals and families in Bryan and College Station, Texas. The program was officially launched in March 2011 and since then the group holds regular meetings to discuss ideas, share programs and seek out programs that encourage financial literacy, assist people with establishing a bank account and assist people with learning more about money management. View Our Partners
Why spend hundreds of dollars a year at a check-cashing company when you can deposit your money for free and pay your bills at no additional cost? An account saves you money, it's safe, it's convenient, and it helps you save for the future.
Everyone deserves a chance. Even if you’ve had problems with an account in the past, have never had an account before, or don’t have a Social Security number, you can open a bank account in the Brazos Valley. And we can help you do that.
If you rely on expensive check-cashing services, now you have a great alternative. Bank on Brazos Valley has partnered with local banks and credit unions to offer free or low-cost accounts. Even if you have never opened an account before, have had problems with an account in the past, or need a free or low-cost account, Bank on Brazos Valley wants to help you open an account with a bank or credit union and begin saving for the future.
Using check cashers may seem more convenient than having a checking account at a bank. But these services cost a lot more than a checking account. Check-cashing stores charge you up to 5 percent of the check amount. Cash a $250 check and pay 5 percent, or $12.50. To cash two paychecks a month, you may pay more than five times as much in fees than you would at a bank with a regular checking account. And, since money orders can cost as much as $3 per order, your costs could really add up.
Without a bank account, you and your family could lose your money during an emergency, like an earthquake or a fire. You also have no safe place to keep your money, and may become a victim of robbery or theft. Money deposited in a bank or credit union is protected by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
With a checking account, you can deposit your checks and access your money for little or no cost. You can save money by paying bills with checks, on the Internet, or by direct debit, and avoid paying for money orders. You can use your debit card to make purchases at stores or to withdraw money from ATMs across the city, reducing the need to carry cash. You can also keep track of your spending on the Internet, by phone, or at the ATM.
Without a bank account, it is much more difficult to save your money to reach long-term goals, such as buying a home, starting a business, or investing in your or your child’s education. Studies show that people with bank accounts are more likely to save and move up the economic ladder to financial security.
Bank on Brazos Valley has several partner branches in Brazos Valley. Use our convenient list of Financial Partners or call 2-1-1 to find the bank or credit union that’s best for you. Or look for the "Bank on Brazos Valley" sign at a bank or credit union in your community.
Our financial partners have designed special banking programs just for you. They’ll answer your questions and help you open an account that best serves your needs.
You don’t need a Social Security number, but you will need a passport, Texas ID, Mexican Matricula card, or Guatemalan Consular identification card. And most banks will request a second form of ID, not including cell phone bills. Click here for a list of accepted IDs.
The person at the bank will walk you through the entire process. And they can even sign you up for free money management training classes to help you get the most from your bank account.
Gain financial stability by developing healthy financial habits. We provide one-on-one financial coaching through the Bank on Brazos Valley partners. This collaborative partnership provides a great team effort to help families and individuals learn more about how to manage money and you with lots of financial resources to guide you through making your money work for you! Specifically, we work in the areas of creating an intentional spending plan that includes monthly savings, reducing debt, improving credit and promoting banking relationships. To make an appointment or learn more, please call or text (979) 696-4483 and ask for Lindsey LeBlanc. More information regarding additional opportunities for you will be coming soon!
We want you to have all the tools you need to get the most out of your new account and start saving for the future. We’ve partnered with local nonprofit organizations to offer you a wealth of financial education classes. Now you can learn how to: Stay on a budget; Manage a checking account; Improve your credit rating; Pay off debt; Save for the future; Take a class at a community organization near you, or even online.
The Financial Fitness Center at the Center for Regional Services provides one-on-one financial counseling, and also hosts workshops that our Bank on Brazos Valley partners help facilitate. For more information, call (979) 595-2809 or visit the Center at 3991 E. 29th Street, Bryan, TX 77802.
Online classes are an easy and convenient way to learn. Visit the Beehive’s Web site to learn how to manage your checking account, create and manage a budget for your family, file taxes online for free, and much more. If you have questions or want to find the bank closest to you, dial 2-1-1 between 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Build a better family budget by using the Center for Public Policy Priorities’ budgeting tools. Find out how much it really costs to live in Bryan-College Station, and find out how to live within your budget. Visit http://familybudgets.org
Bank on Brazos Valley, in partnership with Agrilife, provided Bryan ISD high school seniors an opportunity to participate in a financial simulation entitled "Welcome to the Real World." This simulation gave seniors a real life view of what it takes to understand the value of financial literacy, specifically working with scenarios that depict monthly household expenses and how to budget appropriately to utilize the funds a household has.
The program, developed by AgriLife sends students through different stations to work within their budget to pay different types of monthly expenses depending on their household composition and income. Students worked to understand the importance of how they can make their money work for them. Two simulations were done one at Bryan High and one at Rudder High.
Bank on Brazos Valley members (including local banks, cities of Bryan and College Station, Financial Fitness Center and volunteers) worked with the students providing guidance and coaching to assist them in meeting their monthly financial obligations and have a balanced checking account.
Aggieland Credit Union, a branch of Greater TEXAS Federal Credit Union, has been serving the Bryan/College Station area for over 20 years and central Texas since 1952. We are a not-for-profit financial services organization aimed at providing services responsive to our member’s needs and to strive to project the "People Helping People" concept in a caring, professional manner. Aggieland Credit Union offers a wide variety of banking services at low or no cost to our members such as free checking accounts, free on-line bill pay, and remote check deposit. The credit union also offers high yielding saving products and low rate loan products. Visit www.aggielandcu.org for a complete list of locations and more information about our products and services.
Established in 1913 and serving the Bryan/College Station area since 2013, Guaranty Bank & Trust is one of the oldest and most respected banks in Texas. Our success comes by being a different kind of bank, one that invests in people, not just credit scores; succeeding with the community, not at its expense; and having a plan for your growth, not just our own. We attract, retain, and develop exceptional bankers to ensure you receive quality advice from an expert you can trust. Volunteers impact not only the community but also on those serving, therefore our employees volunteer in the communities we serve. Finally, we focus on strength and stability so our customers know they can depend on us during difficult times. At Guaranty Bank & Trust, we are "growing because we help you grow."
Life doesn’t operate on a 9-5 schedule, and neither should your bank. It’s time to enhance your banking experience. At First Convenience Bank (FCB), a division of First National Bank Texas, you can enjoy extended business hours every day of the week, convenient locations and friendly service – and with nine locations in Bryan/College Station, convenience is never far away. FCB first opened our doors in 1901 in Killeen, Texas. The same pioneering spirit that drove our success then remains a driving force as we continue to provide for the safety and security of your financial needs. FCB remains committed to providing customers with quality banking products and services with over 300 bank branches throughout Texas, Arizona, Arkansas and New Mexico. First Convenience Bank — Helping customers with financial success.
Interested in learning about our Homebuyer’s program? The City of College Station’s Community Development Department provides one on one counseling and homebuyer’s educational classes. Our staff is certified by Neighborworks America as Homebuyer Education Providers and Homebuyer Counselors. We can provide you, as a prospective homebuyer counseling on the process in connection with the City’s Down Payment Assistance Program. We provide you with a review of your credit, budgeting information, mortgage loans, shopping for a home, and maintaining your investment. Periodically we provide homebuyer education classes. This prepares you, in a class room setting, with the information you need to understand the process including, budgeting, credit, mortgage loans, shopping for a home, and maintaining their investment. Call now for an appointment 979-764-3778.
The Family Self-Sufficiency Program at BVCOG assists families in the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) to attain self-sufficiency and independence from public assistance through financial counseling, education, training, and one-on-one case management. If you are a Section 8 voucher holder you can be a part of this program. You will work with a Self-Sufficiency Specialist at BVCOG to set goals one step at a time to achieve economic independence and financial stability. You will need to sign a five-year agreement with BVCOG that provides you with a plan of action to meet your goals. The BVCOG Family Self-Sufficiency Program works with Bank on Brazos Valley to connect you with credit-building opportunities, locations to open a free bank account, and homeownership counseling. For more detailed information, please contact Sonia Roberts, Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator, at (979) 595 – 2801 ext. 2070, by e-mail at soroberts@bvcog.org, or you can go directly to the Center for Regional Services at 3991 E. 29th St., Bryan, TX 77802 and ask about the Family Self-Sufficiency Program.
The BVCOG GED Program provides free classes to adults who want to get their GED. There are four (4) classes provided at BVCOG, Monday through Thursday, including a night class on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00PM – 8:00PM. Students receive instruction in Math, Science, Social Studies and English. We evaluate your current level of education to help determine what skills you need before taking the GED exam. The vast majority of available jobs require a GED or High School Diploma for new hires. The GED Program works with Bank on Brazos Valley to provide adults with the mathematical skills they need to become financially secure. The GED Program is free and you can register at anytime. For more detailed information, please contact Erica Park, GED Program Coordinator, at (979) 595 – 2801 ext. 2313, by e-mail at erica.park@bvcog.org, or you can go directly to the Center for Regional Services at 3991 E. 29th St., Bryan, TX 77802.
For more information, about the Bank on Brazos Valley Program, please contact:
Alsie Bond
Community Development Manager
City of Bryan
P.O. Box 1000
Bryan, TX 77805
Phone: (979) 209-5181
Email: abond@bryantx.gov
For more information or for help opening an account, Dial 2-1-1 between 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday, from your home or mobile phone.
For more resources and information on the Bank On 2.0 initiative, including webinar recordings and releases, click here. For a fact sheet about the Bank On 2.0 Initiative, click here.
