7 Signs It’s Time to Break Up With Your Bank
Knowing when to call things off with a significant other isn’t always easy. Breaking up with a bank, however, is a much simpler call. And right now, plenty of people are thinking about giving their financial institutions the “it’s not me; it’s you” talk.
J.D. Power customer satisfaction research found that 13% of bank customers are likely to switch to a new financial institution in the next year. If any of the following things apply to you, you should probably do the same.
Read more: Best Online Banks for 2025
7 signs it’s time to break up with your bank
If you recognize any of these red flags, bid your current bank farewell.
💸 You’ve been paying pesky fees
Overdraft fees, non-sufficient funds fees, monthly service fees — if your bank is taking a sizable slice of your money, it’s time to take your business elsewhere.
With a free checking account, you won’t have to worry about jumping through hoops to maintain a certain amount of direct deposits or an average minimum balance. A no-fee savings account allows you to grow your cash cushion faster. There’s no need to lose your hard-earned funds to unnecessary fees.
🫰You’re earning next to nothing in interest
Your money shouldn’t just sit in your account; it should grow. While some savings accounts pay a puny amount of interest, the best high-yield savings accounts have annual percentage yields, or APYs, more than 10 times the national average rate.
Here’s how that difference can exponentially boost your earnings:
Example earnings by APY
Balance | APY | Earnings in one year | |
Bank A | $10,000 | 0.01% | $1 |
Bank B | $10,000 | 0.42% | $42 |
Bank C | $10,000 | 3.75% | $375 |
For a tip: Earning interest isn’t reserved for savings accounts. Banks like Quontic and SoFi offer interest-bearing checking accounts that pay impressive rates so you can rack up extra earnings on your everyday spending account.
🏧 You want more ATMs near you
If you regularly deal with cash, you need a bank that won’t charge you for accessing it. And you don’t have to opt for a financial giant like Chase or Bank of America to score fee-free ATM access. Plenty of online banks belong to large ATM networks like Allpoint and MoneyPass. Enter your ZIP code on the institution’s website for a full rundown of nearby machines and branch locations.
However, if you need to make deposits, pay close attention to the fine print to see if you’ll have to pay for the privilege.
🙇 The customer service is awful
Does it feel like you spend an eternity on hold when you call your bank? Are the in-branch representatives grumpy whenever you request assistance? You’re trusting your bank with your money, so they should be rewarding you with fast service and a smile. Compare the banks that get top marks from customers to find a new financial home.
📱The technology sucks
It’s 2025, so you should be able to manage your money digitally. Your bank’s mobile and online banking experience should include bells and whistles that make your life easier, such as built-in budgeting tools, credit score monitoring and a clean, easy-to-navigate interface.
📊 You need more products
Perhaps you signed up for a checking account a few years ago, but now your financial life looks different. You may be saving for life goals or looking for a way to invest, for example.
If your bank’s offerings are limited, it’s time to look for one that offers a wider range of products, such as money market accounts, CDs and easy-to-use investing tools.
For a tip: You might want to maintain your current bank account while establish a new relationship to maximize your money. You can have multiple accounts at multiple institutions.
🚨 You’re worried about your bank’s well-being
As long as you’re covered by FDIC insurance — or NCUA insurance in the case of a credit union — your money is safe if your bank fails. Still, going through a bank failure isn’t exactly fun.
In most cases, it’s tough to tell if your bank is on the brink of disaster. The FDIC doesn’t issue advance warnings because it wants to avoid bank runs. However, there are some signs that a bank might not be in the best position. If your bank announces sizable employee layoffs or issues a quarterly earnings report with big unexpected losses, it’s clear that things are far from perfect.
Don’t settle for a bank that doesn’t treat you right
Breaking up with your bank involves a few steps. You’ll need to review all the payments you have set up from your current account to ensure that your bills are paid on time, and you may need to contact your employer to arrange a new direct deposit. However, if you aren’t happy with your bank, those small inconveniences are worth it.
And you won’t just feel better. If you find a bank that charges fewer fees and pays higher interest, your money outlook will look more promising, too. You’ve got plenty of options to choose from: There are more than 4,500 FDIC-insured banks and more than 4,500 NCUA-insured credit unions out there.