Frequently Asked Questions: Checking Accounts

Depending on your preference, you can apply for Citizens personal and business products online, over the phone, or by visiting a Citizens branch near you. To apply online, just select the appropriate link from the top of this page and find the product you’re looking for. You’ll find information about applying online on the individual product page. You can also reach a banking advisor by calling the Citizens Contact Center at 1-800-922-9999, or just speak to a representative by walking into the Citizens branch most convenient to you.

For mobile and/or online banking customers, select the appropriate account and click "Account Details" to display your account and routing information. You may also find this information on paper and digital checks as seen below:

Withdraw from your Citizens checking account at most ATM locations (fees may apply), visit a branch, or select "cash back" at eligible merchants when making purchases with your debit card. Find a branch near you.

We have partnered with Deluxe to provide safe and convenient options to order personal and business checks, Home Equity Line of Credit checks, or Personal Line of Credit checks:

Online Banking: Log In | Enroll

• Order checks through the Account Services section, then under Order New Checks

• Order directly with Deluxe, our preferred check provider

By Phone: 1-866-322-1350

In Person: Find A Branch

When you place your order using any of these convenient options, be sure to select your check style and confirm the following:

• Name and address
• Routing number
• Account number
• Check starting number

Please note: If you would like to change a name or address on your checks, please visit a branch near you or call us at 1-800-922-9999 to complete your order.

Your checks will be sent in a flat, streamlined package in a blue envelope.

We have partnered with Deluxe to provide safe and convenient options to order personal and business checks, Home Equity Line of Credit checks, or Personal Line of Credit checks:

Online Banking: Log In | Enroll

• Order checks through the Account Services section, then under Order New Checks

• Order directly with Deluxe, our preferred check provider

By Phone: 1-866-322-1350

In Person: Find A Branch

When you place your order using any of these convenient options, be sure to select your check style and confirm the following:

• Name and address
• Routing number
• Account number
• Check starting number

Please note: If you would like to change a name or address on your checks, please visit a branch near you or call us at 1-800-922-9999 to complete your order.

Your checks will be sent in a flat, streamlined package in a blue envelope.

• Automatic Payments for Electronic Bills - If you receive electronic bills, some billers let you set up options for paying them automatically. You can decide whether to always pay the amount due or to set a limit on the amount for automatically paying the bill. You can also decide whether to make the payment on the due date or on the earliest date available after you receive the bill.
• Automatic Payment Schedules - You can set up a schedule to pay bills of a set amount automatically at regular intervals. For example, you can schedule a payment at the first of each month to pay your mortgage or rent. This type of automatic payment is always available to you, regardless of whether or not you receive electronic bills from the biller.

• Automatic Payments for Electronic Bills - If you receive electronic bills, some billers let you set up options for paying them automatically. You can decide whether to always pay the amount due or to set a limit on the amount for automatically paying the bill. You can also decide whether to make the payment on the due date or on the earliest date available after you receive the bill.
• Automatic Payment Schedules - You can set up a schedule to pay bills of a set amount automatically at regular intervals. For example, you can schedule a payment at the first of each month to pay your mortgage or rent. This type of automatic payment is always available to you, regardless of whether or not you receive electronic bills from the biller.

• Your bank’s ABA or routing number. This nine-digit number is found on the bottom left of your checks.
Your checking account number. This is the main number for your checking account that you use for all deposits and withdrawals. It is found on the bottom of the check directly to the right of the routing number.
• You may need to submit a voided check. This will allow the employer to verify the above information. Write VOID in large letters in ink across the check, covering most lines so that nothing else can be written in on the check.
• Your bank's address. You should be able to find this information online, but you could also call a representative.

Paid Early is a service we offer where you can get direct deposit up to 2 days early. We often receive a message up to two days prior to your direct deposit to let us know that the money is on the way. If we get prior notice of your direct deposit, we can reduce processing time and make your deposit available earlier.

No enrollment needed, this is an automatic feature if you have a direct deposit going into a Citizens personal checking, savings or money market account.

Direct deposit can take 1-2 pay periods. Once you establish recurring direct deposit with your employer or other payment provider and the funds are being sent to Citizens, you’ll get the benefit, it’s that easy.

It depends. You might get your direct deposit 2 days earlier, 1 day earlier or on your regularly scheduled payday. Here are some reasons why you might not receive your deposit early:

• Your deposit isn’t sent earlier by your payer.

• Your deposit type is not eligible, such as a bank-to-bank transfer.

• There’s a payroll system issue from your payer.

Check your account history in online banking or the mobile app*.

• Make purchases at millions of locations worldwide
• Purchases are automatically deducted from your primary checking account
• The tap-to-pay feature only takes seconds to checkout
• Add your debit card to the digital wallet on your mobile phone for faster checkouts
• No–fee balance inquiries, deposits and cash withdrawals, payments and transfers at any Citizens ATM¹
• Make purchases and get cash back using your PIN at participating retailers

• Didn’t make the purchase? Zero Liability coverage against unauthorized purchases²
• Real time 24/7 account fraud monitoring and alerts
• Freeze your debit card in the Citizens Mobile Banking app if it's misplaced and easily unfreeze it when it's found
• View recent transactions, balances and monthly statements with online and mobile banking*

You can activate your debit card in a few different ways:

• Use the Citizens Mobile App*. Go to "Manage Cards" in the menu and it will bring you to where you can activate your debit card in the app*.
• Complete a purchase. Make an in-store purchase with your debit card using your PIN.
• Visit an ATM. Complete a transaction at any Citizens ATM with your debit card with your current PIN.
• By phone. Call 1-800-527-1800 and have your card and PIN handy to activate.

You can easily reset your PIN in the Citizens mobile app.* Simply log on, choose MANAGE CARDS in the navigation at the top left, then select Change PIN.

You can easily reset your PIN in the Citizens mobile app.* Simply log on, choose MANAGE CARDS in the navigation at the top left, then select Change PIN.

Please contact us immediately if you realize that your card is missing or if you notice any fraudulent transactions: 1-800-922-9999. This is the best way to minimize disruption in your account. You are not responsible for fraudulent card transactions that are reported promptly, and you can demonstrate that you have exercised reasonable care in safeguarding your card from the risk of loss or theft².

And remember, you have tools within your Citizens mobile app that allow you to...

• immediately freeze (or unfreeze) your debit or ATM card in our Mobile App*
• file a claim if you suspect fraud on a debit transaction. Go to your transactions and choose one you suspect as fraud and begin the dispute process. You will be able to add additional transactions to the claim.
• check on the status of a submitted debit or ATM card claim (even when you initiated your dispute over the phone) in the mobile app from the hamburger menu by clicking on "Dispute Status."

• Use your debit card for your everyday purchases at millions of locations worldwide. Plus, your contactless debit card makes in store checkouts even easier.
• Use your debit card at the ATM — you can get cash, transfer funds, and make deposits at no-fee Citizens ATMs¹.

• You can simply sign or tap for your purchase.
  You must press the "Credit" button and sign or tap to pay for your purchases.
• You can use your PIN at participating retailers.
  You must press the "Debit" or "ATM" button on the retailer's terminal. Then enter your Personal Identification Number (PIN). With PIN-based purchases you can also get cash back when you make a purchase at participating merchants.