Bank account question, moving states

[miri]

I have heard different responses to this.

If I move states can I simply change my address and keep same account number?

I called a bank and they said they cannot see accounts on the west coast, from the east coast?

 

[kranky]

You'll have to ask your bank. If you move to the west coast and your bank has no branches there, you'd be smart to change banks.

 

[Vincent]

I moved from California to Utah. Both states have Wells Fargo branches. So all I did was call them up and give them my new address. There were some minor issues with my account number when I went to a branch once, but they easily resolved them.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: miri
I have heard different responses to this.

If I move states can I simply change my address and keep same account number?

I called a bank and they said they cannot see accounts on the west coast, from the east coast?

You can keep your account no matter WHERE you live. You could move to Nigeria and keep your account. However, unless you want to do everything via online banking, you might want to see if there are branches in the area.

I SERIOUSLY doubt they differentiate accounts between states...

 

[sswingle]

I would imagine it would not be a problem with most banks. Call yours and ask.

 

[miri]

Originally posted by: Vincent
I moved from California to Utah. Both states have Wells Fargo branches. So all I did was call them up and give them my new address. There were some minor issues with my account number when I went to a branch once, but they easily resolved them.

im moving from VA to CA, they said they cant see west coast accounts. i have a lot of online bill paying. keeping same account number would be nice

 

[RossMAN]

You'll have to ask your bank, it varies from bank to bank.

Some have a centralized DDA system where as others require you open a new account with new routing codes. Only your bank can offer the correct answer.

 

[woodie1]

Each bank has its own rules. You'll have to abide by them. Some, I have found, are user friendly and others no so.

 

[AgentEL]

Did anyone suggest to call your bank and ask them yet?

 

[miri]

Originally posted by: AgentEL
Did anyone suggest to call your bank and ask them yet?

i did, they said they cant see west coast accounts, I should close my account here and reopen it there, but some people have said otherwise.

 

[sciencewhiz]

I know without any doubt that your unamed bank can transfer account data seamlessly.

 

[MrBond]

Originally posted by: jagec

I SERIOUSLY doubt they differentiate accounts between states...

I know for a fact some banks do, even if they have branches there. I opened an account with a new bank just because I was moving and my old bank didn't have branches there. I went to the new bank and they said I couldn't do business in the bank because of different routing systems. I just used the ATM instead, which worked fine, but it was less than ideal (I wouldn't deposit large amounts of cash into the ATM, I had to keep it on me until I was near my old bank).

 

[kranky]

I'm pretty sure Bank of America doesn't have their West Coast and East Coast systems integrated.

 

[AgentEL]

Originally posted by: miri

Originally posted by: AgentEL
Did anyone suggest to call your bank and ask them yet?

i did, they said they cant see west coast accounts, I should close my account here and reopen it there, but some people have said otherwise.

In that case, I would go with what the bank says. I'm sure they would know better than anyone on what to do.

 

[miri]

Originally posted by: AgentEL

Originally posted by: miri

Originally posted by: AgentEL
Did anyone suggest to call your bank and ask them yet?

i did, they said they cant see west coast accounts, I should close my account here and reopen it there, but some people have said otherwise.

In that case, I would go with what the bank says. I'm sure they would know better than anyone on what to do.

yeah that sucks, i have to cash my account out in travelers checks, close all my automatic bill payments then reopen a account.

 

[IronWing]

There have been so many bank mergers of late that often the systems aren't integrated. It took my CC company three years to digest the bank where I had my CC before they swallowed it. The bank that the second bank had bought my card from never had even bothered to integrate the systems when they had previously bought the bank where I opened my CC. The logo on the card and statement changed but I still logged into the same site, under the original bank's name, for five years after the original buyout. Now everything is merged and I enjoy the same level of service as all the megabank's other happy customers.

 

[Minjin]

You know you can have more than one bank account right? I have accounts at seven different banks. Take this opportunity to open an account at one better than you currently have.

Mark

 

[miri]

Originally posted by: Minjin
You know you can have more than one bank account right? I have accounts at seven different banks. Take this opportunity to open an account at one better than you currently have.

im in VA now, BOA isnt linked to the west coast and Wachovia doesnt have any locations in California. Dont think there are any other national banks here.

 

[Minjin]

Originally posted by: miri

Originally posted by: Minjin
You know you can have more than one bank account right? I have accounts at seven different banks. Take this opportunity to open an account at one better than you currently have.

im in VA now, BOA isnt linked to the west coast and Wachovia doesnt have any locations in California. Dont think there are any other national banks here.

Why do you need a national bank? Open an account with a bank that has good internet presence and it won't matter where you live. I recommend:

Text
Text

Mark

 

[ahartman]

Originally posted by: MrBond

Originally posted by: jagec

I SERIOUSLY doubt they differentiate accounts between states...

I know for a fact some banks do, even if they have branches there. I opened an account with a new bank just because I was moving and my old bank didn't have branches there. I went to the new bank and they said I couldn't do business in the bank because of different routing systems. I just used the ATM instead, which worked fine, but it was less than ideal (I wouldn't deposit large amounts of cash into the ATM, I had to keep it on me until I was near my old bank).

More accurately, it has to do with how banks are chartered. Most banks are set up with a holding company. That holding company owns several similarly named banks ("..of Indiana", "... of Michigan", etc.). Each of these subsidiary banks is separately incorporated.

That blows for people who live on a state border where there were branches in both states - they may be 10 miles apart, but because of the way they're chartered, they're actually separate banks.

You now see banks beginning to consolidate their charters to become true national banks. When this happens, a branch in one state will be able to service you like a branch in another state.

Until your bank consolidates, branches in a state other than your home account state probably can't service you fully.

 

[miri]

Originally posted by: Minjin
Why do you need a national bank? Open an account with a bank that has good internet presence and it won't matter where you live.

How do I deposit cash without paying fees at a internet bank?

 

[Minjin]

Originally posted by: miri

Originally posted by: Minjin
Why do you need a national bank? Open an account with a bank that has good internet presence and it won't matter where you live.

How do I deposit cash without paying fees at a internet bank?

Any good bank will have free deposit envelopes that you can send in. But actually I recommend having a local junk bank just for deposits/large cash withdrawls. Find the absolute closest bank to work or home and get an account there. Then you can ACH back and forth between this and your main account.

Mark

 

[miri]

one more question. Since I have to close my bank here and travel 3000 miles is cashing my account to travelers check the only safe option? How much of a charge is it to use travelers checks? A cashiers check would not be guaranteed if it got stolen or would it be?

 

[Minjin]

ACH or wire transfer or just write out a check clearing out your account and deposit in the new account. Again, you don't need to close out your account, but I see you've made up your mind...

Mark

 

[kevnich2]

Bank of america isnt integrated at all on different coasts. This is due to them buying out a smaller bank and the systems aren't consolidated yet. Totally different routing numbers. Bank mergers take years to complete