Moving your checking account to Trustone Financial means opening a new account with them, then redirecting your direct deposits and payments to the new account number

Trustone Financial is a credit union with branches in Minnesota and Wisconsin. They offer checking accounts to members, but membership requires either living or working in their service area, or having a family member who is already a member. The move itself takes about two weeks from start to finish, though some of that time is waiting for your old bank to process the closure.

The actual steps are straightforward: open the account at Trustone, update your payroll and bill payments to use the new account details, then close the old account once everything has switched over. The hardest part is usually finding all the places where your old account number is listed and updating them in the right order.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be a Trustone Financial member to open a checking account, which requires living or working in Minnesota or Wisconsin, or having a may have access to family member who is already a member.
  • Opening a new account at Trustone takes one to three business days, but switching all your payments and deposits over takes about two weeks total.
  • You need to update your employer's payroll system, any automatic bill payments, and any services that pull money from your account before closing the old account.
  • Keep your old account open for at least one full billing cycle after the last payment clears, in case a delayed transaction arrives.

Check your membership may be able to access before you start

Trustone Financial membership is not automatic. You must either live in their service area (parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin), work for a participating employer, or be a household member of someone who is already a member. If none of those explore to you, you cannot open an account with them, and you should look for a different credit union or bank instead.

If you do may have access to, you can start the membership process online or by visiting a branch in person. Membership itself is free, but you will need to provide proof of your may be able to access — usually a driver's license or state ID, and proof of address if you live in the service area. If you are joining through an employer, bring your employee ID or a recent pay stub.

Open your new Trustone checking account

Once you are a member, you can open a checking account online through Trustone's website or by visiting a branch. Online applications usually take 10 to 15 minutes and you will have an account number the same day. In-person applications take about 20 minutes and you can leave with a debit card if you ask for one.

You will need to choose whether you want a standard checking account or one of their other checking products — Trustone offers a few different versions with different fee structures and minimum balances. Ask about any monthly fees and what balance you need to keep to avoid them. Write down your new account number and routing number as soon as you have them; you will need both to set up your direct deposits and payments.

Update your payroll and automatic payments in the right order

The order matters here. Start with your employer's payroll department or your online payroll system (if you manage your own). Give them your new Trustone account number and routing number, and ask when the change will take effect. Most employers process payroll changes within one to two pay periods, so if you are paid weekly, the switch might happen within days. If you are paid monthly, it could take three to four weeks.

While you wait for payroll to switch, update any automatic bill payments. Log into each service — your utility company, insurance provider, credit card, loan servicer, subscription services — and change the account number on file. Do this one service at a time and verify the change went through before moving to the next one. Some services let you update online; others require a phone call.

If you have automatic transfers set up with your old bank (like moving money to savings each month), cancel those and set up new ones with Trustone if you want to keep them. Do not close the old account yet.

Wait for all transactions to clear before closing the old account

Once your paycheck has hit the new account and all your regular bills have come out of it, wait one more full billing cycle — usually 30 days — before closing the old account. This catches any delayed transactions that might still be processing. If a bill payment bounces because the account is closed, you could face overdraft fees or late payment marks on your credit report.

Check your old account online every few days during this waiting period. If you see any transactions you did not expect, contact that service and update the account number again. Once you are confident nothing else is coming, call your old bank and ask them to close the account. Some banks let you close online; others require a phone call or a visit to a branch.

What to do if a payment tries to hit the old account

If a transaction arrives at your old bank after you have closed the account, the bank will reject it and send it back to whoever tried to charge you. That business will then try again, usually within a few days. When it does, it should hit your new Trustone account if you updated them correctly.

If the same payment bounces twice, contact the business directly and confirm they have the right account number. Ask them to resubmit the payment manually. Keep records of any bounced payments in case you need to prove you tried to pay on time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my old account open while I switch to Trustone?

Yes, and you should. Keep it open for at least 30 days after your last payment clears, in case a delayed transaction arrives. Once you are sure nothing else is coming, close it to avoid monthly fees.

What if my employer does not process payroll changes quickly?

Some employers take four to six weeks to update payroll. In the meantime, you can transfer money manually from your old account to your new one, or ask your employer for a one-time manual check to the new account while you wait for the system change to process.

Do I need to update my checks if I ordered them from my old bank?

Yes. Old checks will have your old account number printed on them and will not work with Trustone. Order new checks from Trustone or a third-party check printer once your account is open. Trustone can usually print them within five to seven business days.

What happens to my old debit card?

Your old debit card will stop working once your old account is closed. Trustone will issue you a new debit card, which usually arrives within five to seven business days. You can request a card when you open your account, or order one online afterward.

Can I transfer money from my old account to Trustone to speed things up?

Yes. You can move money between your old and new accounts using an external transfer, which usually takes one to three business days. This is helpful if you need cash in the new account right away, but it does not speed up the process of switching your paycheck and bills over.