If there is one group you're going to be very popular with over the coming weeks, it's the banks.

Competition for your first grant cheque will be fierce, and that's not because it's such a whopping sum; it's because most people who open a student account in their first year of college tend to stick with the same institution throughout their college years and beyond.

Most of the major banks offer pretty good deals for students. There will be the initial freebees to get you hooked, but it's important to look beyond and see what the bank is offering you in the long term.

Bank of Ireland is offering students over 18 years old a credit card with a £250 limit once they've been with the bank for six months. They also have an ATM card that doubles as a ICSIC (USIT) card. The card has a Laser and Cirrus facility and a free Travelsave stamp.

Borrowing options can be are important. Bank of Ireland offers a loan to fund transport costs, interest-free loans for J1 visas, and advances on grants and foreign tax.

AIB also offers the foreign tax advance and interest free J1 loan facility along with reduced-rate overdrafts and loans. All students can avail of seven different mobile-phone offers, and first-year students are offered £9 of the price of the ISIC card and Travelsave stamp.

Ulster Bank offers an interest-free overdraft of up to £500, a student loan of up to £3,000 and an interest-free travel loan up to £1,500. They also have individual packages for various professions such as pharmacy, veterinary, medical and solicitors and barristers.