How to Switch Banks in Asheville, NC

Choosing the right bank for you is important to achieve your financial goals. If you’re unsure if your current bank is meeting your financial needs or are moving to the Western Carolina area, it’s time to think about switching banks.

First Bank¹ strives to be the best bank in every community we serve and in every channel we offer. If you don’t know how to switch banks in Asheville, NC, or the surrounding area, our team of local banking experts is here to answer your questions. We love getting to know our customers and understanding how we can best meet their needs in order to work together to accomplish your financial goals.

To switch over to a bank that puts service over sales, contact us or visit your nearest Asheville or Western North Carolina First Bank location.

Asheville Downtown 11 Church St. Asheville, NC 28801 Phone: 828‑250‑8430	Asheville East 10 South Tunnel Rd. Asheville, NC 28805 Phone: 828‑298‑8193	Asheville North 778 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, NC 28804 Phone: 828‑253‑5402
Asheville South 1879 Hendersonville Rd. Asheville, NC 28803 Phone: 828‑687‑0774	Asheville West 1012 Patton Ave. Asheville, NC 28806 Phone: 828‑254‑1778	Asheville Reynolds 5 Olde Eastwood Village Blvd. Asheville, NC 28803 Phone: 828‑298‑8711

Why You May Be Switching Banks

There are plenty of reasons why you may have decided to switch banks, such as:

• Moving out of state. If your previous bank only served a specific area, you may be looking for another community bank near your new Asheville home.
• Poor customer service. Not happy with a bank’s products and service or their limitations? Not able to get in touch with customer service when you need them? There’s no reason why you shouldn’t transfer your accounts to a bank that puts you first.
• High fees. Are maintenance fees, minimum balance fees, and other account fees costing you a fortune and causing you to worry? Find an account with low fees to save money and put your mind at rest.
• Low rates. If your accounts aren’t growing due to your bank’s low interest rates, transferring to a bank with higher yield accounts could help.
• Financial goals. Looking to buy a house or get serious about retirement? Some banks offer better mortgages or retirement plans than others.
• Business banking. If you’d like to use the same bank for both your personal and business banking, you may want to sign up with a bank that excels at both.

What to Consider When Looking for a New Bank

If you’ve determined that it’s time to transfer your accounts to a different bank, spend some time thinking about what you’re really looking for in your new bank. Here are some aspects to consider:

• Locations. Are there plenty of conveniently located branches?
• Bank size. Would you prefer working with a community bank that knows you and provides personalized customer service?
• Products and services. Does this bank offer all the types of accounts and other services you need? If not, are you okay with having your accounts spread across multiple financial institutions?
• Rewards. According to The Financial Brand, 83% of millennials would switch accounts for better rewards. Do you like to use rewards programs to earn discounts on travel and other costs? Look up how you can earn and spend points, and think about whether it’s a good fit for your habits.
• Fees and rates. If you’re not impressed with high fees and low rates, research what’s available from other banks and what to expect from the current market.
• Online banking. In June 2017, 69 million Americans said they use online banking. If you prefer to check your balance or deposit checks while on the go, you want to make sure that your new bank has a user-friendly app or other online banking services. These services are usually provided free of charge.

Three Simple Steps on How to Switch Banks in Asheville

Now that you’ve found your bank of choice and have decided to make the switch, what’s next? When changing banks, it’s important to take action in the right order. That way, you’re not left with all your money in one account while automatic fees are charging the other.

Follow these steps for the easiest way to switch banks:

1. Open your new account.

Once you’ve selected your new bank, meet with a banking representative to open your new account. They can explain the differences between the types of accounts and provide guidance on which one is right for you.

Deposit a small amount of money into the account—the minimum balance requirement at the very least. You can also go ahead and set up your online account and download the mobile banking app, if available.

Next, be on the lookout for your new debit card to arrive in the mail. When it comes, be sure to follow the included instructions, which may tell you to call a number to activate the card and sign the back of the card.

2. Transfer direct deposits and automatic payments to your new account.

While you may be eager to use your new account, remember that your paycheck and automatic payments are still linked to your old account. Make a list of these transactions and when they occur each month.

Talk to your employer about how to change your direct deposit account. If you receive payments from Social Security, change your direct deposit account online.

Next, set up your automatic payments to come out of your new account. First Bank makes paying bills easy with our online banking and bill pay services. If you’d like to use First Bank Bill Pay, cancel your other automatic payments and sign up today.

3. Empty and close your old account.

Now that you have a new account set up and consistently funded with a direct deposit, you can stop using your old account. If there are any outstanding transactions, like an uncashed check or one last bill, leave enough funds to cover the amount. Once the account is zeroed out, you can close the account.

For security reasons, destroy any checks, debit cards, or credit cards that linked to your old account. The best way to do this is to cut the card up into several pieces, making sure to separate the card numbers and cut through the security chip.

Why Switch to First Bank in Asheville?

Not only does First Bank make switching Asheville banks simple, but choosing to be a customer of our community bank provides many benefits:

• We put our customers first. From the moment you come through our doors, it’s clear that we value our customers. Our welcoming banking experts give you the time and attention you deserve.
• We put your mind at ease. It’s normal to have questions when transferring bank accounts. Each one of our banking representatives can expertly address your concerns, so you leave with peace of mind.
• We’re there for our customers. If you’d like to reach us by phone or email, our Customer Service Center is open weekdays from 7am to 11pm (Saturdays and some holidays 9am to 4pm) and available to answer your questions. Call 1-866-792-4357 or email CustomerService@LocalFirstBank.com.
• We’re a community bank. First Bank has served North Carolina since 1935 and is dedicated to the greater Asheville and Western Carolina community. We’re small enough to know you like a neighbor, but big enough to provide all the banking solutions national banks, credit unions, or other financial institutions can. The difference is our personal touch and commitment to Asheville citizens and their businesses.
• We make banking convenient. With free mobile and online banking², automatic bill payments, and 13 branches throughout the Asheville area, it’s easy to do your banking with First Bank.
• We have low maintenance fees. In fact, our checking accounts can be Fee Free™ if you meet certain requirements, such as maintaining the minimum balance.⁶
• We reward you. Our One Rewards Program³ gives you points for every dollar you spend on qualified purchases using your First Bank credit card. Use your points for travel, gift cards, local businesses, cash back, or merchandise.
• We have something for everyone. Whether if you’re opening your first checking account, planning for retirement, or heading to college, First Bank offers accounts that fit your stage of life and unique needs.
• We’re small business friendly. From employee benefits to loans⁴ to commercial insurances⁵, local entrepreneurs have access to plenty of effective banking solutions with First Bank.

Switch to First Bank of Asheville Today

No matter the reason why you’re moving bank accounts, the team at First Bank is here to show you how to switch banks and make the process as simple as possible. We can set you up with the right checking account, high yield savings account, or other exceptional banking solutions for you or your business.

If you’re thinking about switching to banks, stop by one of our Asheville locations and meet our team. You’ll see that we’re local to the Asheville community, so we provide guidance and insights that are specific to the area. Our goal is to build relationships with our customers, so we can better understand what they’re looking for and how to best serve them.

Find your nearest First Bank location or contact us by phone or email today. We’re confident that you’ll enjoy being part of the First Bank community.

Frequently Asked Questions About Changing Banks

Does switching banks affect credit scores?

No, switching banks and closing a deposit account doesn’t hurt your credit score. What bank you use and your bank account activity isn’t factored into your credit score. That’s because bank details aren’t shared with credit bureaus. So, you can feel free to change banks without worrying about harming your credit score.

How long does it take to switch banks?

Applying to open a new bank account doesn’t take more than a few minutes. It may take you a day or two to set up your online banking after opening your account.

That said, make sure to still give yourself several weeks to fully switch banks and close your old account. Changing direct deposits to a new account may take awhile—possibly one or two pay cycles. After your direct deposit is set up, you can make automatic payments through your new account. How long this takes depends on how many payments you have and when your payments are due.

How do you switch banks when moving?

Since much of today’s banking happens online or over the phone, changing banks when moving isn’t so complicated. It’s possible that you’ll be able to open a new account and close your old account without visiting a branch. However, be sure to talk to your old and new banks ahead to time to confirm that you’re taking the proper course of action.

———

Sources:

The Financial Brand: https://thefinancialbrand.com/64222/millennial-switching-banking-marketing-checking-accounts/

Statistic Brain: https://www.statisticbrain.com/online-mobile-banking-statistics/

SSA: https://www.ssa.gov/deposit/howtosign.htm

Instructables: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-dispose-of-a-credit-card/

The Balance: https://www.thebalance.com/does-closing-a-bank-account-affect-credit-score-4159898

SmartAsset: https://smartasset.com/checking-account/how-long-does-it-take-to-open-a-bank-account

¹Member FDIC

²While First Bank does not charge for mobile banking, your mobile carrier’s message and data rates may apply. While First Bank does not charge for Alerts, check with your mobile service provider for web access or text messaging fees.

³See our Terms and Conditions for complete details on our One Rewards Program.

⁴Loans subject to credit approval.

⁵Our insurance products are underwritten by non-affiliated insurance companies. Insurance products offered are not FDIC insured, not bank insured, may lose value, not insured by any Federal Government Agency, and not a bank deposit.

⁶Account holders may avoid the Monthly Maintenance Fee by meeting any of the requirements listed in the Keep it Fee Free™ section of the account summary table for their account type. Other account service fees may apply as described in the Account Services Fee Schedule, which is also available at your local branch.