How to Switch Banks

Switching banks or credit unions isn't complicated. But, there are several things you have to do first. Read to find out.

Does your current bank no longer spark joy?

Whether it's an unpleasant experience or a tempting offer from another financial institution, perhaps it's time for a change.

Learn the simple steps to switching banks/credit unions and how to make sure you don't regret it.

Why People Decide to Switch Banks
Below is a table showing different reasons for switching banks/credit unions.

How to Switch to a New Bank?

Switching banks/credit unions can be a straightforward process. If you plan it carefully and strategically, you can avoid dreaded scenarios of missed payments, overdraft fees, and lost deposits.

Below are 6 steps to take if you decide to transfer your account to another bank.

Pick A New Bank/Credit union

The goal is not just to find a bank but a better one.

Look for a bank that offers services, fees, and features aligning with your financial needs and goals. You should also compare interest rates, account options, online banking capabilities, and branch locations (if planning to move to a brick-and-mortar bank).

Member FDIC

Bank of America Advantage Banking - $300 Bonus Offer

• The $300 bonus offer is an online only offer and must be opened through the Bank of America promotional page.
• The offer is for new checking customers only.
• Offer expires 05/31/2025.
• To qualify, open a new eligible Bank of America Advantage Banking account through the promotional page and set up and receive Qualifying Direct Deposits* totaling $2,000 or more into that new eligible account within 90 days of account opening. Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking® for Family Banking accounts are not eligible for this offer.
• Once all requirements are met, Bank of America will attempt to pay bonus within 60 days.
• Additional terms and conditions apply. See offer page for more details.
• *A Qualifying Direct Deposit is a direct deposit of regular monthly income – such as your salary, pension or Social Security benefits, which are made by your employer or other payer – using account and routing numbers that you provide to them.
• Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC.

Learn More

Expires 5/31/2025

Member FDIC

Chase Total Checking® - $300 Bonus

• New Chase checking customers enjoy a $300 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking^® account with qualifying activities
• Chase Mobile^® app - Manage accounts, pay bills, send money to friends with Zelle® and deposit checks from almost anywhere.
• Chase Overdraft Assist℠ - no overdraft fees if you're overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day or if you're overdrawn by more than $50 and bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day*
• Help keep your money protected with features like Zero Liability Protection, fraud monitoring and card lock.
• Chase Total Checking includes FDIC insurance up to the maximum amount allowed by law.
• With over 4,700 branches, Chase has the largest branch network in the U.S. plus access to more than 15,000 ATMs.
• Open your account online now
• Available online nationwide except in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. For branch locations, visit locator.chase.com.

Open an Account

Expires 7/16/2025

Monthly Fee

$12 or $0 with one of the following, each monthly statement period:

• Electronic deposits made into this account totaling $500 or more, such as payments from payroll providers or government benefit providers, by using (i) the ACH network, (ii) the Real Time Payment or FedNow℠ network, (iii) third party services that facilitate payments to your debit card using the Visa® or Mastercard® network,
  
• OR a balance at the beginning of each day of $1,500 or more in this account,
  
• OR an average beginning day balance of $5,000 or more in any combination of this account and linked qualifying Chase checking, savings, and other balances.

Member FDIC

Discover® Cashback Checking - Up to $30/Month Cashback

Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month, for a total of up to $30 cashback per month. Discover Cashback Debit checking account has no minimum balance requirement, no fees, and free online bill pay. See website for details.

Get Deal

If you like writing paper checks, you might want to skip on an online bank. It usually provides only debit cards in its checking account option.

For better earnings, don't limit yourself to traditional bank types and account options. Consider opening high-interest savings accounts, CDs, money market accounts, or cash management accounts in fintech companies and mobile investing platforms.

Remember, you don't have to open them all in one bank. Having multiple financial institutions can spread out your risk and increase your FDIC coverage.

List Recurring/Automatic Transactions

Thinking about the recurring payments for bills and subscriptions you have to transfer from your current bank can be stressful.

Take a proactive approach and make a list of all your recurring transactions (as shown below), noting their due dates, and relevant contact info of their service providers.

• Automatic bill payments: electricity, water, internet, water
  
• Automatic direct deposits: paycheck, pension, tax refunds
  
• Recurring transfers and payments: transfers to linked accounts i.e. savings and investment accounts, child-support payments

Check your statements in the last 12 months to ensure that you won't miss any during your transition to a new bank.

Additionally, if your current bank account has rewards, use them up so you don't forfeit them when you eventually close your account.

Open Your New Account

Most banks/credit unions will allow you to open a bank account online or in person. To ensure a smooth process, come prepared with necessary requirements and information.

They usually ask for the following:

• Personal information (e.g., name, date of birth)
  
• Contact information (e.g., email, phone number, residential address)
  
• Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  
• Government ID (e.g., driver's license or state ID card)

You can also set up online and mobile banking right away. Do test transactions to see if everything works and activate alerts according to your preference.

Redirect Your Direct Deposits and Automatic Transactions

Advise your employer, billers, and payors to update your banking information with your new account details for future transactions. However, do this first — review which subscriptions you want to keep and the ones that you can cut off.

There are online budgeting tools that can identify subscriptions you may have forgotten about and cancel those that are unused.

Once you've listed all your recurring transactions, here's how to go about them.

For subscriptions

• Go to your account page on your biller/provider website.
  
• Check for option to change your payment method.
  
• Replace account info with new one and Save/Submit.
  
• Go to your payment method again to double check if your details are updated.
  
• Call your biller's customer hotline in case you are unable to update it online.

For paychecks

• Contact your HR.
  
• Submit a request by filling out a form online or in person.
  
• Provide your new bank details.

For Social Security benefits

• Log into the Social Security website.
  
• Edit your bank details.
  
• Call +1 800-772-1213 (if unable to update via website)^[3]

Sort out any postdated checks you have issued as well by providing alternative payments to those involved. This may entail ordering new checks or opening a safety deposit box with your new bank. Doing these will help avoid penalties arising from delays in receiving or making payments.

Transfer Remaining Funds From Your Previous Account

You can empty out your old account by doing any of the following:

• Withdraw cash at a branch or ATM
  
• Transfer electronically to your new account
  
• Request a check from your bank/credit union

Transfer remaining funds only after all automatic transactions have been switched to your new account. This could take a month or two based on the timing of your change.

Close Your Old Account

Make sure to close your account immediately after you've transferred all the remaining money in it. Otherwise, your bank will charge you a monthly fee if your balance falls below their minimum requirement.

On the other hand, keep your old bank account open if it does not have a minimum balance. This will enable you to check if your direct deposits and recurring transactions are no longer coming through.

Additionally, check with the bank for any closing or early account closure fees, and settle them accordingly. Safely dispose of your debit card and remaining paper checks to prevent fraudulent transactions.

When Should You Switch Banks?

Generally, you may move from one bank to another when your current bank is unable to meet your financial needs and goals. Here are some of them:

• Better Interest Rates
  If you are coming from a traditional bank, you might be tempted by the higher APYs of online banks. This may be worth considering if you tend to keep high balances that grow at a snail's pace in your current bank.

• Less Fees
  Many banks/credit unions have free checking options, which can be helpful if you want to save on fees. Others either waive incidental charges or have lower fees on excess withdrawals, overdrafts, out-of-network ATM use, etc.

• Attractive Perks
  Banks may offer sign-up bonuses from time to time, which can be anywhere from $100 to $500 for regular checking accounts. This extra cash may boost your funds, pay toward minor debts, or cover small expenses.

• Relocation
  If your account is with a regional bank, it may not be available in your new location. Thus, you'll have to find a new bank with a nearby branch or explore online banks if you haven't.

• Unsatisfactory Service
  Frequent runaround treatment, like poor online banking service or security issues, can be a dealbreaker, pushing account holders to seek better options.

Although your current bank may have fallen short of your expectations, don't be too rash in your decision without reading the next section.

Tips To Land the Right Bank

Since you are set to move your account to another bank, you don't want to regret that decision. These tips may help you get it right:

1. Consider a better account option first.
   Perhaps your current bank has other accounts that could work better for you. For example, if you are annoyed by fees, they might have a free checking option that could save you $10 to $20 each month.

   Discuss your options with your bank's relationship manager before considering a switch.

2. Do your research.
   Bank reviews and input from family or friends who use the bank you're considering are valuable. If many customers share a concerning issue, continue searching for other banks.

3. Look at other bank types.
   If you're unsatisfied with major banks, consider smaller banks or credit unions. These types of financial institutions may offer more personalized services, avoiding another big bank switch. Non-banks like fintechs and mobile trading apps are great alternatives if you prioritize better rates.

4. Call your potential bank.
   Banks may make an extra effort to impress potential clients. Test their customer support by assessing response time, efficiency, and available options. Visit their physical branch, if available, for a more in-depth experience.

5. Make sure it's covered by insurance.
   Although most financial institutions are insured either by the FDIC or NCUA, always check if the bank you're moving to is. Note, however, that these insurance agencies only cover up to $250,000 of your deposit balance if the bank were to go under.^[4][5]

FAQs

Can you switch banks without closing an account?
If you don't plan to use the old account anymore, you must close it since the bank may not automatically do so. They may even continue to charge monthly fees. However, you can keep your old and new accounts as long as you can manage having both.

Which banks give you money for switching?
Several banks, like Bank of America and Chase, entice you to switch to them by offering attractive sign-up bonuses. However, their promotions are often limited-time offers. So if you see one that matches your banking needs, grab it before it's gone.

Do you get all your money when closing a bank account?
You can withdraw all your remaining funds before you close your account. But even after closure, the bank is legally required to return any money left in your account after deducting any applicable fees. They usually send it back by mailing a check.

What the Experts Say

CreditDonkey asked a panel of industry experts to answer readers' most pressing questions. Here's what they said:

Bottom Line

Switching banks/credit unions is a big financial move that can help you improve how you manage your finances. It can even bring you better banking opportunities in the long run.

But, remember to think this through before making the move. Look at the benefits of your potential bank, such as lower fees, better customer support, or higher interest, so it becomes a good decision.

May this endeavor take you to greater financial success and peace of mind!

References