my advice about check cashing/depositing...try your hardest to join a credit union. It is night and day comparing the two. Banks are in business for themselves and their share holders, which means you are worthless.
my CU allows you to cash or deposit a check under 500, no questions asked(except credit card checks). if the check is from a business, likewise, no questions.
banks really really suck, even the small ones(because they'll eventually get bought up by a big one)
and for anyone who doesn't know, Bridgeport Joe pays more in taxes than most of you earn in a year....the s.o.b.