Student banking can be rewarding

Bancorp South is the coolest bank in Hattiesburg. It took me a lot of trial and error to figure that out, but I have been banking with them for three years now, and I've never been happier.

When I came to Hattiesburg so many years ago, I banked with the same bank my parents used. There was something different, almost ominous, about the Hattiesburg branches. The tellers were cold and distant. Often rude, they seemed put out even by the smallest task. I thought and thought and thought about what could be the cause of this mysterious malignancy.

Then one day in class it hit me.

Whether we want to or not, most well rounded college students are forced to endure some kind of rudimentary business course. Mine was Macroeconomics. Macro was great because it gave me an insight into the reasoning behind many business practices that affect my everyday life. Without a course like this I might have gone my entire life wondering exactly what a bank gets out of keeping my money for me.

They constantly changed their overdraft fees as well as the conditions that created an overdraft. It seemed as if period of time it takes checks to clear fluctuated as well. I really had no idea what they stood to gain. I knew they got something out of the deal and, considering their inscrutable position of power, it must be a pretty sweet deal.

Without getting too deep into the specifics and making a fool of myself, allow me to give a brief explanation. By allowing banks to hold our money, they are given a reserve of liquid cash that can be lent and invested at any one time. Actually with help from the federal government, they are able to lend and invest more money than they even have. This lending power is based on a percentage of their holdings. So, the more money a bank is holding, the more it can use. Bigger bank equal more power.

Hmm, seems fair, I guess.

I used to think with a little careful maneuvering I could avoid using banks and the headaches they cause altogether. But, at this stage of my life, the careless rebel has left my soul, and I have finally realized the necessity of using a bank. I'm sure you all know the difficulty we would have navigating today's world with no bank account. Banks know this too. Their understanding of our need, coupled with a large holding of our money, causes a large bank to become rude and uncaring toward its customers.

This is the realization I had three years ago that led me to Bancorp South. I just figured smaller bank, more respect. I know they're not perfect. They must operate by the same money-making rules all banks employ, but at least they do it with a smile. They give me toys and things just for having an account with them.

I don't know what you value in your banking, but if you're like Mr. Dangerfield and me, you just want a little respect.

This is a column of opinion written by Printz Opinions Writer Bradley Leggett. Comments can be sent to printz@usm.edu