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:

1. Call or email to schedule an appointment. Appointments are not required but are encouraged.  

2. Visit either location to open account. Accounts must be opened in person. 

3. Required documents: Passport

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Santander

One Financial Plaza, Providence, RI 02903

Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-4pm

Phone number: (401) 752-1900

Process:

1. Recommended to call to schedule an appointment.

2. Visit branch office to open account. 

3. Required documents/information:

   • Passport

   • Student ID

   • International address and local mailing address

   • Telephone number

   • 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

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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

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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

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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:

1. Call or email representative to arrange phone plan.

2. No documents required for prepaid services, and ID required for postpaid service accounts

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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

1. Visit AT&T store or contact representative 

2. Required document: Passport

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Verizon 

1 Providence Place, Providence RI, 02903

Hours: Monday-Saturday 11am-6pm

Phone number: (401) 270-4330

Process

1. 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/.

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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: