FARGO - North Dakota State University has a new contract with US Bank to allow the campus ID card used by students, staff and faculty members to be used as a bank card.

US Bank hopes the students who use it will become lifelong customers, said Ron Robson, the bank's regional president.

"At this stage in their life, this is a great opportunity for us," Robson said.

NDSU will receive annual payments from US Bank based on the percentage of Bison cardholders who use the banking option, along with a $46,500 signing bonus to get the program up and running.

The money will go to NDSU Student Life to support the Bison Card production center and the transaction software and card-swiping systems around campus, said Wendy Clarin, manager of student support services at NDSU.

The bank says it has campus banking partnerships with 25 colleges and universities.

The timing worked out for NDSU, which was scheduled to reissue 13,000 Bison Cards next summer under a new software system. US Bank has agreed to provide $1 per card to help cover that cost, Clarin said.

Besides being the official campus ID card, the Bison Card's magnetic strip gives students access to meal plans, the NDSU Wellness Center, athletic events and bus service.

US Bank will offer seminars on campus on such issues as budgeting and credit and checking account management, Clarin said.