Jul 24, 2020

How to Switch Banks in Less Than 5 Minutes

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For one reason or another, are you fed up with your bank to the point where you find yourself wondering how to switch banks entirely? If you’re asking this question, it’s probably a sign that your bank isn’t serving your financial needs the way it should be.

The truth is, a bank is supposed to empower you to make smart money moves and help you feel confident about your finances. If this isn’t the case, then it’s time to call it quits. Switching banks is easy, and we can help you navigate the process. 

Start by pinpointing what is making you switch banks in the first place. What made banking with your old bank so difficult? What are you looking for in a new bank? Once you know what banking features are most important to you, you’ll be better positioned to find an alternative that actually suits your needs. 

Some of the most common reasons people choose to switch banks include:

  • Too many fees

  • Dated technology

  • No perks

  • High interest rates

  • Limited features

  • Not enough ATMs

  • High minimum balances

  • Bad customer service

Now that you know what kind of bank you are looking for, it’s time to search for the bank that offers the features most important to you. If accessible branches are important to you, start by looking at different banks in your area.

It’s possible you won’t like what the traditional banks in your area have to offer. If that’s the case, look into digital banks. Digital banks offer the same – and oftentimes even more – banking services that traditional banks offer. 

The main difference is that you won’t need to walk into a physical location to manage your accounts. You can stay updated by going online, talking to someone over the phone and with mobile banking. 

Have you considered banking with MoneyLion? 

MoneyLion is revolutionizing digital banking with its RoarMoney account and the powerful MoneyLion app. You’ll have access to many of the same features traditional banks offer and even more!

You can invest, borrow money, and even get interest-free advances on your next paycheck. All these features can be quickly and easily accessed through MoneyLion’s mobile app. Like all the best banks, money that’s deposited into your RoarMoney account is always FDIC-insured. 

Does it sound like MoneyLion is a good match for what you’re looking for? Opening an account and getting started is simple. Just follow these steps. 

  • Download the MoneyLion app onto your mobile device. You can find a link to it here. Once it’s downloaded, follow the instructions to open a RoarMoney account.

  • Add funds to your new account by linking your old bank account and making a quick, free transfer in the app. You can also head into one of the 90,000 retail locations that offer Reload@theRegisterTM service from Green Dot® to add cash into your account. 

  • Activate your virtual card by calling 801.736.2453. You’ll be able to start using your virtual card right after it’s been activated to shop online, in your favorite apps, over the phone, or anywhere mobile payment is accepted (just add it to your digital wallet). 

  • Receive your MoneyLion Debit Mastercard in the mail! Once you add funds to your RoarMoney account, we’ll mail you a physical card too. You should receive your new debit card in the mail in 10 business days or less. 

  • Remember to set up direct deposits into your new RoarMoney account (you can even link government benefits). Once you do, you will get your checks up to 2 days early!

Now that you’ve open a RoarMoney account, added money, set up direct deposits and activated your virtual and physical cards – you’re all set to start enjoying the perks that come with a RoarMoney account. Here are some of our favorite benefits. 

When you set up direct deposits, you can receive your paycheck or benefits check up to 2 days earlier. The days of waiting around for your bank to process your paycheck are over!

MoneyLion gives you cashback rewards when you use your debit card at top online merchants through the app. You’ll also receive cashback rewards just by shaking your phone after every purchase of $10 or more! 

Did you just purchase an item only to find it selling for a lower price? With your MoneyLion Debit Mastercard, you can request a refund for the difference if you find a cheaper price within 90 days of your eligible purchase. You won’t have to worry about overpaying. 

Your virtual debit card works just like a regular debit card. You can use it for purchases made online, over the phone and even through mobile pay. Once, you’ve created an account, can use your virtual card instantly — just activate it and add funds! 

It’s always important to actively monitor your account for good financial health. MoneyLion makes it easier by measuring your savings, spending, insurance needs and credit score with Financial Heartbeat. Just open the MoneyLion app and swipe to the end of your mobile cards until you see the animated heart icon. It’s like Apple Health for your wallet!

If you’re enjoying MoneyLion’s financial perks, why not upgrade your account to receive even more benefits? Here are some ways you can get the most out of your finances. 

MoneyLion’s Credit Builder Plus membership is designed to help people boost their credit scores. If you have little to no credit or even a low credit score, you’ll be able to borrow up to $1,000 at a competitive APR and watch your credit grow at the same time. MoneyLion reports to all three credit bureaus so as long as you’re making your payments on time, your score will go up!

Opening an investment account is one tried and proven way to grow your wealth over time. MoneyLion offers quality personalized investment portfolios catered to your financial goals and risk level. You can opt into auto-investing and pick a set amount to invest consistently – which will help you stay on top of your investments and grow your account. 

The best part? There are no minimums and no management fees. You can learn more auto investing with MoneyLion here

The right bank should be helpful and make you feel positive about reaching your financial goals. Don’t settle for anything less than the best when it comes to banking. 

MoneyLion is leading the category of digital banking because of its unique benefits. It’s also a safer lending alternative when you need cash quickly and inexpensively when you  use Instacash instead of payday loans. 

MoneyLion can uplift you and your finances to the next level! Download the MoneyLion app and get started on your financial future.


Jacinta Majauskas
Written by
Jacinta Majauskas
Jacinta Majauskas is a Content Marketing Manager and Copywriter. With a B.A. in Economics from New York University, she has been writing about personal finance since 2019. Her work has been featured on financial news sites like Yahoo! Finance and Benzinga. She's currently pursuing a part-time J.D. at Rutgers Law. In her free time, she can be found immersing herself in all the best New York City has to offer or planning her next travel adventure.

MoneyLion is a financial technology company, not a bank. RoarMoney℠ demand deposit account provided by, and MoneyLion Debit Mastercard® issued by, Pathward®, National Association, Member FDIC. RoarMoney is a service mark of MoneyLion. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International. Funds are FDIC insured, subject to applicable limitations and restrictions, when we receive the funds deposited to your account.

Instacash® is an optional service offered by MoneyLion. Your available Instacash Advance limit will be displayed to you in the MoneyLion mobile app and may change from time to time. Your limit will be based on your direct deposits, account transaction history, and other factors, as determined by MoneyLion. Expedited delivery requires Turbo Fee. See Instacash Terms and Conditions for more information and eligibility requirements.

Credit Builder Plus membership ($19.99/mo) unlocks eligibility for Credit Builder Plus loans and other exclusive services. This optional offer is not a Pathward product or service. A soft credit pull will be conducted which has no impact to your credit score. Credit Builder Plus loans have an annual percentage rate (APR) ranging from 5.99% APR to 29.99% APR, are made by either exempt or state-licensed subsidiaries of MoneyLion Inc., and require a loan payment in addition to the membership payment. The Credit Builder Plus loan may, at lender’s discretion, require a portion of the loan proceeds to be deposited into a reserve account maintained by ML Wealth LLC and held by Drivewealth LLC, member SIPC and FINRA. The funds in this account will be placed into money market and/or cash sweep vehicles, and may generate interest at prevailing market rates. You will not be able to access the portion of your loan proceeds held in the credit reserve account until you have paid off your loan. If you default on your loan, your credit reserve account may be liquidated by the lender to partially or fully satisfy your outstanding indebtedness. May not be available in all states. Credit Reserve Accounts Are Not FDIC Insured • No Bank Guarantee • Investments May Lose Value. For important information and disclaimers relating to the MoneyLion Credit Reserve Account, see Investment Account FAQs and FORM ADV.

Rewards are subject to terms and conditions, see here.

Rewards are an optional service offered by MoneyLion

Investment advisory services provided by ML Wealth LLC. Investment Accounts Are Not FDIC Insured • No Bank Guarantee • Investments May Lose Value. For important information and disclosures relating to the MoneyLion Investment Account, see Investment FAQs, Form ADV Brochure, and moneylion.com/investing. Accounts are subject to a monthly account fee of $1, $3 (accounts valued over $5,000), or $5 (accounts valued over $25,000).

With direct deposit. Faster and easier access to funds is based on comparison of traditional banking policies and deposit of paper checks versus deposits made electronically and the additional methods available to access funds via a card as opposed to a paper check.

Should you find a lower price for an eligible new item within 90 days from the date of purchase using your MoneyLion Debit Mastercard, you may be reimbursed for the price difference. For more information about the coverage you may be eligible to receive, call 1-800-MASTERCARD (627-8372). To file a claim online, go to mycardbenefits.com. Benefits are subject to terms, conditions and limitations, including limitations on the amount of coverage. Coverage is provided by AIG WarrantyGuard, Inc., an AIG company. Policy provides secondary coverage only. Please reference the Guide to Benefits.

MoneyLion does not provide, nor does it guarantee, any third-party product, service, information, or recommendation. The third parties providing these products or services are solely responsible for them, as well as all other content on their websites. MoneyLion is not liable for any third party's failure with regard to those advertised products, services, and benefits. These advertised products and services may not be FDIC insured or bank-guaranteed, and may be subject to a different privacy policy than MoneyLion’s. You should check individual offers, products, and services to become familiar with any applicable restrictions or conditions that may apply. MoneyLion may receive compensation from third parties for referring you to the third party, their products or to their website.

Instacash is a 0% APR cash advance service provided by MoneyLion. Your available Instacash advance limit will be displayed to you in the MoneyLion mobile app and may change from time to time. Your limit will be based on your direct deposits, account transaction history, and other factors as determined by MoneyLion. This service has no mandatory fees. You may leave an optional tip and pay an optional Turbo Fee for expedited funds delivery. For a $40 Instacash advance with a Turbo Fee of $4.99, your repayment amount will be $44.99. Generally, your scheduled repayment date will be your next direct deposit date. An Instacash advance is a non-recourse product; you will not be eligible to request a new advance until your outstanding balance is paid. See Membership Agreement and help.moneylion.com for additional terms, conditions and eligibility requirements.