New Checks

• Your routing number is printed on your checks; so if that number changes, you will need to order new checks. If your bank has been taken over by another financial institution, the new bank may send you replacement checks as a matter of course. If you do not receive new checks within a few weeks of the routing number change, contact your local branch to place an order for replacement checks.
  
  

Direct Deposit

• If you have direct deposit set up for your paycheck or government payment, you will need to update those accounts with the new routing number for your bank. If your employer or the government agency attempts to deposit money into your account with the wrong routing number, the payment will be rejected, delaying your money and impacting your finances. It is a good idea to go back through your most recent bank statements to locate any direct deposit payments. Then contact each of those payers and give them the new routing number for your bank.
  
  

Automatic Payments

• Setting up automatic payments for your bills is very convenient; but if the routing number is not correct, those payments will not go through. This could result in late payments and associated charges, so it is important to update those accounts as soon as you receive notification of the routing number change. Locate each automatic payment on your bank statement then contact each company to revise your payment instructions.
  
  

Recordkeeping

• If you have your bank's routing number written down with your financial records, it is important to update those records as soon as you learn of any change in the number. The typical consumer only uses the routing number occasionally; and if you do not update your written records, you could find yourself using the wrong routing number the next time you need to set up a direct deposit or schedule a bill payment. It is especially important to update your routing number if you have your tax refund deposited into that account. Pull out a copy of last year's tax return and post a sticky note on the form with the new routing number. This will help ensure you do not simply copy last year's information to this year's tax return and use the wrong routing number.