Moving your checking account checklist

Changing checking 

accounts?

This 10-step checklist will help 

smooth your move and avoid 

accidental bounced checks or 

other disruptions.

Considering changing 

checking accounts?

•	Shop around.

Compare account services online or by visiting local branches. Also 

find out if you will need to make a minimum deposit and how much 

that would be.

•	Compare fees.

Ask for a list of your current account’s fees. Then compare them to 

what you’d pay at other banks or credit unions you’re considering. 

Also inquire about ways to avoid fees, such as by maintaining a 

minimum balance or setting up direct deposit.

•	Consider convenience.

How many ATM locations and branches are available? When are they 

open? Are they close to where you live, work and shop? Does the 

bank or credit union have a good customer service reputation?

•	Open the new account.

Ask the bank or credit union what identification it accepts or requires 

to open the account.

Moving your checking account checklist

Changing checking 

accounts?

This 10-step checklist will help 

smooth your move and avoid 

accidental bounced checks or 

other disruptions.

Considering changing 

checking accounts?

•	Shop around.

Compare account services online or by visiting local branches. Also 

find out if you will need to make a minimum deposit and how much 

that would be.

•	Compare fees.

Ask for a list of your current account’s fees. Then compare them to 

what you’d pay at other banks or credit unions you’re considering. 

Also inquire about ways to avoid fees, such as by maintaining a 

minimum balance or setting up direct deposit.

•	Consider convenience.

How many ATM locations and branches are available? When are they 

open? Are they close to where you live, work and shop? Does the 

bank or credit union have a good customer service reputation?

•	Open the new account.

Ask the bank or credit union what identification it accepts or requires 

to open the account.
Steps to Take in Changing Your Checking Account

•	List your automatic payments and deposits.

Be sure to include all the automatic deposits and withdrawals that 

go in and out of your old account each month. 

•	Change direct deposit.

If you have direct deposit, fill out the paperwork from your employer 

or other payment source to reroute your deposits to your new 

account.

•	Find out the date your direct deposits will transfer.

Once you know the date of the first direct deposit, make 

arrangements for your automatic debits and withdrawals to be 

made from your new account starting after that date. Then cancel 

the automatic debit from your old account so that your bill is not 

accidentally paid twice.

•	Leave some money in your old account.

Leave enough to cover any checks that haven’t cleared or automatic 

payments that haven’t taken place – and to avoid dipping below your 

minimum balance requirement.

•	Transfer your remaining funds.

Once all direct deposits and automatic payments are coming in and 

out of your new account, electronically transfer the remaining funds 

from your old checking account or use a cashier’s check.i

•	Close the old account.

And ask for written confirmation.

Steps to Take in Changing Your Checking Account

•	List your automatic payments and deposits.

Be sure to include all the automatic deposits and withdrawals that 

go in and out of your old account each month. 

•	Change direct deposit.

If you have direct deposit, fill out the paperwork from your employer 

or other payment source to reroute your deposits to your new 

account.

•	Find out the date your direct deposits will transfer.

Once you know the date of the first direct deposit, make 

arrangements for your automatic debits and withdrawals to be 

made from your new account starting after that date. Then cancel 

the automatic debit from your old account so that your bill is not 

accidentally paid twice.

•	Leave some money in your old account.

Leave enough to cover any checks that haven’t cleared or automatic 

payments that haven’t taken place – and to avoid dipping below your 

minimum balance requirement.

•	Transfer your remaining funds.

Once all direct deposits and automatic payments are coming in and 

out of your new account, electronically transfer the remaining funds 

from your old checking account or use a cashier’s check.i

•	Close the old account.

And ask for written confirmation.

Checking account complaints? 

visit ConsumerFinance.gov or call 1-855-411-CFPB

Checking account complaints? 

visit ConsumerFinance.gov or call 1-855-411-CFPB