First Security Gets Hip to Get Students

Imagine a bank where The Dave Matthews Band is kicking on the radio and ESPN has taken precedence over MSNBC on the lobby television. A Jimmy Buffett tune wafts in the door from a nearby steel drum corps, prompting rhythmic wiggles in the tellar line.r

That’s a typical day at the First Security Corp. university banking center in Fayetteville — the first traditional bank branch on the University of Arkansas campus. It’s located on the second floor of the Arkansas Union, downstairs from the Connections Lounge where student bands such as Steel Pandemonium regularly play.r

The UARK Credit Union has leased space from the UA on Sixth Street for a number of years. But Tom Rufer, the union’s manager, said the First Security center is believed to be the first traditional bank on campus.r

The branch, a retail office decked out in all things Hog, held its grand opening recently after making a quiet debut late last spring. Franklin Bass, 23, is the business development manager for the branch which had $39,000 in deposits by June 30. r

First Security marketed itself with pamphlets to students going through UA orientation and got 350-400 new accounts between the summer and the start of fall classes.r

Rufer said five banks looked seriously at bidding on the 1,000-SF location, but First Security was the only bank that actually submitted a bid. The center offers free checking and other products tailored for students and faculty.r

The location has three full-time employees, three part-timers and a night depository, and First Security has the most ATMs on campus — three. r