Welcome to the Vigilant Federal’s Switching Made Easy Center. Switching your banking relationship to Vigilant Federal has never been easier.

Follow the six simple steps below or Click Here to print out the complete Switching Made Easy Kit packet! And in no time, you will be a customer of Vigilant Federal.

* Vigilant Federal Savings Bank currently offers new accounts to Maryland residents only.

  Step One
Stop into the branch and an associate will assist you with your account opening and provide you with your Switching Made Easy Kit.

  Step Two
Be sure to leave sufficient funds in your former checking account until all outstanding checks and automatic payments have been cleared.

Once everything has cleared your account, simply bring your former checks and debit card in to Vigilant Federal and we will shred them for you.

  Step Three - Change your Direct Deposits 1 of 2 ways:
Stop into the Vigilant Federal branch and grab a Switching Made Easy Kit. Inside, you will find everything you need to switch to Vigilant Federal, including the necessary letter to change your direct deposits to Vigilant Federal.

Or Print out the Automatic Payment Authorization Form, fill it out and bring it into the Vigilant Federal branch. We will handle everything from there.

  Step Four
Refer to the handy Automatic Payment Checklist, for a checklist of the most common automated bill payments and direct deposits as well as a list of Helpful Phone Numbers and Websites.

  Step Five
Verify that you have successfully switched your account to Vigilant Federal at your convenience twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

You can easily track your direct deposits and automatic payments with Free Online Banking. Simply Click Here to register online.

Or, Call our free automated Fast Banking Line at 1-866-844-5268, day or night.

  Step Six - Close your former bank account.
Finally! You can say “Goodbye” to your former bank and all those unnecessary fees and “Hello” to convenience and personalized service at Vigilant Federal!

Print out the Authorization to Close Account Form, fill it out and send it to your former bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who do I call if I have questions?

A. If you have any questions regarding your new account, switching your automatic payments or automatic deposits to your new account, or what to do with the enclosed account form, please call the branch at 410-686-5940 option 2.

Q. What if my request to switch accounts is not accepted?

A. On the authorization forms, your contacts are requested to notify you or a bank representative if the form you submit is not sufficient to change or establish the direct deposits or automatic bill payment.

Q. What is a direct deposit (ACH credit)?

A. Direct deposit is a quick, easy and secure method of receiving funds into your account. For example, you can receive your pay roll, government benefits, and investment dividends by a direct deposit. Small business owners can also receive credit cards settlements and account receivable payments. The funds are received and deposited electronically into your bank account.

Q. When will my direct deposit start?

A. It normally takes 2 or 3 cycles to start a new direct deposit. For example, if you decide to direct deposit your payroll check into your new account, the direct deposit will most likely not go into your new account for 2 or 3 cycles. The same applies for existing direct deposits, so you will want to make sure you keep the account open that you are switching from until you know that your new account is receiving your deposits.

Q. What is an automatic bill payment (ACH debit)?

A. Automatic bill payment is a convenient way to pay different types of companies, such as electric, gas, telephone, loans, credit cards, insurance, etc. Usually, these automatic debits are set up with a specific company by giving them a voided check and a date to take out your payment that is due to that company. These types of transactions are sent through your account electronically on the date and for the amount that you specify.

Q. When will my automatic bill payment  start paying from my new account?

A. Generally, it takes 2 to 3 billing cycles for your transaction to be switched over or started. When you contact your billing company request that they take your payment from your new account, the charges may not come out for the first 2 to 3 billing cycles after your requests. That is why it is important to leave the account that you are planning to close open until you have verified that all necessary switches have been made. This means you could have a checking account open at two different banks at the same time.

Q. How can I verify that my automatic bill payment (debit) has been made?

A. You can verify that your payments have started going through your new account by calling our FAST Banking Line at 1 866 844 5268 or by checking your monthly checking account statement. Once you have registered for Vigilant Federal Online Banking you will be able to check your balance online at www.vigilantfederal.com 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You will also want to verify with the billing company that they received your payment from your new account by checking your monthly billing statement or calling their customer service department at the phone number on your billing statement.

Q. Can I switch my small business account?

A. It is very easy to switch your business account and still maintain check-writing capabilities and access to your funds. Simply stop in at any of our local branch locations and open your new Small Business Checking Account.

Q. How do I switch my small business account?

A. Simply fill out the appropriate form from switching any automatic payments (debits), any direct deposits (credit), and you will be on your way to switching your account activity. Once you open the account, you can move over the excess balances from your former bank business account (leaving you enough to cover any outstanding checks and automatic withdrawals), make all new deposits to your new business account, and start writing checks from it. Once everything has cleared in your former bank account and you have had all direct deposits and automatic withdrawals transferred to your new account, then you can close the former account.