Personal Banking

Switch to Better Banking

Switching to Ridgewood's "Better Checking" has never been easier. Simply follow these steps!

1. Open your new Ridgewood "Better Checking" Account. You can open an account by visiting any of our convenient branches located throughout the New York Metropolitan area. Find a location by you.

2. Stop using your old bank's checking account. Let all of your checks clear. Bring any unused checks to Ridgewood in exchange for up to $9.99 towards the purchase of new Ridgewood checks.

3. Move your Direct Deposits to Your New Account. Once your Ridgewood "Better Checking" Account is opened, you will want to change any direct deposit relationships to your new checking account. You will need to inform companies who make direct deposits on your behalf to use your new checking account number. You can use the Direct Deposit Authorization Form to notify these companies of the change. Print one form for each direct deposit, fill it out and send it to the company making the deposit. For Social Security benefits direct deposits, you can request a change by calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213

4. Move your Automatic Withdrawals to Your New Account. You will want to change any automatic payments that are being debited from your old account. You will need to notify the companies making those debits of the change in accounts. You can use the Automatic Payment Change Authorization Form to notify these companies of the change. Print one form for each company making an automatic payment, fill it out and send to that company.

5. Close Your Old Account. You can send a written notice to close your old checking account and other accounts using the Authorization to Close Account Form.

If, after all your checks have cleared, you have a remaining balance, your old bank will send you a check for the remaining balance. You can calculate your remaining balance by using the Account Balance Worksheet.