Banks and Phones
We cannot endorse any specific banks and phone companies, but here are some located within walking distance of RISD.
Banks
Citizen’s Bank
1 Citizen’s Plaza, Providence, RI 02903
Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-4pm
Phone number: (401) 456-7095
Representatives:
Erik Malafy Erik.m.malafy@citizensbank.com
Pulkit Madan Pulkit.madan@citizensbank.com
30 Kennedy Plaza, Providence, RI 02903
Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-4pm
Phone number: (401) 456-7011
Representative:
David Nolan David.r.nolan@citizensbank.com
Process:
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Call or email to schedule an appointment. Appointments are not required but are encouraged.
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Visit either location to open account. Accounts must be opened in person.
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Required documents: Passport
Santander
One Financial Plaza, Providence, RI 02903
Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-4pm
Phone number: (401) 752-1900
Process:
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Recommended to call to schedule an appointment.
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Visit branch office to open account.
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Required documents/information:
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Passport
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Student ID
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International address and local mailing address
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Telephone number
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Email address
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Bank of America
215 Atwells Ave, Providence, RI 02903
Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-4pm
Saturday 10am-1pm
Phone number: (401) 228-0172
Please contact branch for more information.
TD Bank
180 Westminster Street, Suite 7
Providence, RI 02903
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-4pm
Saturday 9:30am-1pm
Phone number: (401) 455-2900
Please contact branch for more information.
Chase
234 Thayer St, Providence, RI 02906
Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-6pm
Saturday 10am-2pm
Phone number: (401) 824-0706
Please contact branch for more information.
Phones
T-Mobile
1 Providence Place, Providence, RI 02903 (3rd floor North Garage)
Hours: Monday-Saturday 11am-7pm
Phone number: (401) 383-3112
Representative: Santiago Consuegra Santiago.consuegra@t-mobile.com
Process:
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Call or email representative to arrange phone plan.
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No documents required for prepaid services, and ID required for postpaid service accounts
AT&T
1 Providence Place, Providence, RI, 02903
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm, Sunday 11am-6pm
Phone number: (401) 867-1262
Representative: Oscar Rafael oscar.rafael@att.com
Process
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Visit AT&T store or contact representative
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Required document: Passport
Verizon
1 Providence Place, Providence RI, 02903
Hours: Monday-Saturday 11am-6pm
Phone number: (401) 270-4330
Process
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Book an appointment online before going to the store
To decide what bank and phone company might be best for you, some general questions you can ask are:
Banks:
What are your international wire transfer fees?
What are your ATM fees?
Do you have a lot of ATMs available?
Are the checking and savings accounts free?
Do you have student accounts that offer discounts?
Phones:
Can I use my phone from home with a SIM card?
Do I need to pay to start a plan?
What are the best options for me in regards to price and minutes?
Do I have to sign a contract? If so, how much does it cost if I break the contract?
CampusSIMs
Along with your acceptance materials, you will be receiving a CampusSIMs SIM card. Learn more here: https://campussims.com/.
For Fall 2020: Since we did not mail original I-20s to new students this year due to COVID-19, SIM cards can be picked up from your RA or from the OISS office. Please email oiss@risd.edu.
International Stores
Below is a directory of international markets, groceries & bakeries around the greater Providence area, shared with us by our friends at URI: