I Switched Banks in 10 Minutes. A Year Later, It Earned Me $900

Far from being a hassle, this quick move could pay off for years.

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Updated Aug. 19, 2026
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Quick Read

  • Switching banks took 10 minutes. I didn't need to go to a branch or send paperwork in the mail. I did everything on my computer in one go.
  • The real work wasn't opening the account. Instead, it came later when I had to untangle direct deposit and autopay from the bank I left.
  • At the national average savings rate of 0.38% (as of 06/15/26), $20,000 earns $76 a year. The same balance could earn up to nine times more with a SoFi Checking and Savings account. See SoFi®'s current rate.

For years, my $25,000 balance sat in a brick-and-mortar bank's savings account earning $2.50 annually (the account's standard 0.01% APY). I moved it to an online bank's savings account, and it earned me $937.50 last year. This was the same money, bearing the same risk, and protected by the same FDIC insurance. The only difference? The bank.

I knew the $0.01 rate was bad, but I dreaded the alternative. I assumed I'd have to spend days dealing with paperwork, holds, and other headaches. Imagine my surprise when switching took only 10 minutes.

What a year of the higher rate actually paid

My $25,000 balance earns $937.50 annually at the online-only bank. At the 0.38% national average, it would bring in $95. At my old bank: a pitiful $2.50. That's a $935 gap.

Want to find your own gap? Here's what it looks like at other balances:

Balance Old bank (0.01%) New account (3.75%) Annual difference
$5,000 $0.50 $187.50 $187
$10,000 $1 $375 $374
$20,000 $2 $750 $748
$50,000 $5 $1,875 $1,870

What you care about is the "annual difference" column. Far from being a marketing number, that's the passive cash your money could make by sitting in a different account.

We did the research for you.

Having your checking and savings accounts with the same financial institution can make money management a lot simpler. SoFi® was our 2026 award winner for Best Checking and Savings Combo because it delivers on interest and additional features.

For example, you could earn up to 3.80% APY on your savings balance with direct deposit. (3.10% APY2 with +0.70% APY Boost) for up to 6 Months on new accounts.1 SoFi also offers more special features than any other account combo we looked at:

No account fees: No overdraft fees.3 No minimum balance fees. No monthly fees.4 

Get paid up to two days early: Feel the magic of payday up to two days earlier — automatically — when you set up direct deposit.5

Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3M: Typically, single-member deposit accounts are federally insured up to $250,000. With SoFi, FDIC insurance up to $3 million on deposits is available through a seamless network of participating banks.6

Open an account with SoFi here.

The switch took 10 minutes

Here's what I had to do from beginning to end:

  1. Applied online on the new bank's website, entering my personal info and verifying my ID.
  2. Linked my old account using my old bank's routing and account number.
  3. Set up the initial transfer (I started with $10,000 in case anything went sideways).
  4. Got instant approval and an email with my new account number.

That was it. I didn't have to wait for a card or an activation packet, visit a branch, or mail any paper forms. From typing my name to opening a funded, interest-bearing account, it took roughly 10 minutes.

What I didn't think about until after

If this sounds too good to be true, it is, but not for the reasons you may think.

The thing is, I didn't cover all my bases. Direct deposit still used my old account. Likewise, autopay didn't magically move itself. My paycheck, internet, and utility bills were still linked to the old account. I found out when I logged in to check the balance about two weeks later.

There was a hold on the first transfer from my old bank to the new one, a common security practice, so my initial deposit took five days to clear. My daily transfer limit was $10,000. I ended up making three transfers.

Now, none of these issues were deal-breakers. Still, they might make people think switching banks is a hassle. It's not. I set up my new account in a blink. Untangling everything connected to the old one took about two weeks, but that one's on me.

What I'd do differently

If I were to do this again, there are a couple of things I'd do over:

  1. I'd update direct deposit before moving money, not after. That would save me the mini panic attack of "wait, where's my paycheck?!"
  2. I'd also make a list of autopays associated with the old account before starting, instead of risking late-notice reminders.

Also, if you want to close the old account (I didn't), keep it open for at least a month. It gives you a buffer for everything you may forget to redirect. Personally, I kept my old bank account open to maintain a relationship with a major brick-and-mortar bank.

Bottom line

Two years ago, my $25,000 was sitting in a brick-and-mortar savings account earning next to nothing. Now, at my new bank's 3.75% APY, the same amount earned me $937.50 in one year. Not bad, right?

The move was done in 10 minutes. While sorting out what was still connected to the old account took quite a bit longer, neither part was what I had expected. Would I do it again? Definitely, and I know that the second time around, the whole thing would go even faster.

FAQs

How long does it take to switch banks?

Opening a new account typically takes 10-15 minutes online. The full transition could take longer if you need to redirect your direct deposit and move recurring autopay. Throughout this time, your new account is open and earns interest.

Should I close my old bank account?

Not right away. Most people are better off keeping the old account open for a month or two after switching so nothing that's still routed there bounces. After moving direct deposit and autopay and confirming there's no minimum-balance fee left, closing is usually safe.

Will switching banks affect my credit?

No. Opening a savings or checking account typically doesn't involve a hard credit pull and won't affect your credit score. That's different from applying for a credit card or a loan, which does.

Would You Spend Ten Minutes for $1,465?

That's roughly the year's difference on $40,000 between the national average and the up-to-4.00% rates available now. And ten minutes isn't a figure of speech. You just provide some information, like your name, address, Social Security number, and the account your deposit money's coming from. But rates are variable and follow the market, which is why the only number worth acting on is today's. Compare the current top accounts here.

Bank/Institution APY info Open Account Bonus Offer
Financebuzz awards badge
2026 AWARD WINNER Best Checking and Savings Combo
5.0
info
3.80
% APY
With $0 min. balanceinfo
Learn More
on SoFi's secure website
Member FDIC
Limited-Time Offer: +0.70% boost on Savings APY to up to 3.80% for up to 6 months on new accounts1 + $50 or $400 Bonus with eligible direct deposit.2 Terms apply.
4.8
info
4.00
% APY
With $250+ monthly depositsinfo
Learn More
on Happen Bank's secure website
Member FDIC
4.3
info
4.10
% APY
With $5,000 min. balance7
Learn More
on CIT Bank's secure website
Member FDIC
Limited-Time Offer: Earn up to 4.10% APY (3.75% APY7with +0.35% APY Boost) on balances of $5,000 or more for up to 6 months.8 Enter code CITBoost to qualify. $100 minimum opening deposit.
4.9
info
4.15
% APY
With $1 min. balance9
Learn More
on Raisin's secure website
Member FDIC
Limited-Time Offer: Use code SUMMER26 to earn a cash bonus based on your savings balance. Earn up to $60 for $10,000, $150 for $25,000, $300 for $50,000, $600 for $100,000, or $1,200 for $200,000 or more. Visit site for full details.10

Limited-Time Offer
Financebuzz awards badge
2026 AWARD WINNER Best Checking and Savings Combo
5.0
info
Open Account on SoFi's secure website, Member FDIC
APY
3.80% info
Minimum Balance for APY
$0
Bonus Offer
Up to $400 info
Why We Like It
  • Limited-Time Offer: Earn a $50 or $400 cash bonus2plus a boosted 3.80% APY1on Savings for up to 6 months when you open a new account and set up eligible direct deposits. Terms apply.
  • No account, overdraft, or monthly fees4
  • Get your paycheck up to two days early with direct deposit5
  • Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3 million6
  • Trustpilot Rating: "Excellent" 4.3/5 
Open Account on SoFi's secure website, Member FDIC

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