New Checking Account
Thank you for opening your Principal Bank checking account. Get started with your new Principal Bank Checking account with this helpful information that you might need.
Getting Started:
Banking services & features:
Additional helpful hints:
- Activate a new Visa® debit card
- Use your new checking account
- Save time and money
- Reduce or eliminate ATM fees
- Make the most of your money
- Principal Bank Customer Service
Activate a new Visa® debit card
Your debit card will be mailed to your home address, and will arrive within 7 - 10 business days after your checking account is opened. The Personal Identification Number (PIN) mailer will arrive 2 -3 days after the card.
You must activate your debit card before you can use it to access your checking funds. To activate your debit card, please call the phone number on the sticker affixed to the card from your home phone.
You have 60 days to activate your debit card, so we recommend you activate the card as soon as you receive it. If you have not activated your debit card within the first 60 days, and would like to now activate it, please call a bank personal banker at 1.800.672.3343 for assistance.
Use your new checking account
Your online checking account operates a lot like a traditional checking account—you still get checks—but it saves you time and money. You can track your balance online, transfer money to other Principal Bank accounts, get cash and make purchases with your VISA debit card, view images of your cleared checks, and even pay bills with a few clicks of your mouse. It's convenient, simple, secure and, best of all, free.
Save time and money
Principal Bank offers you several ways to save time and money. Direct deposit is an easy way to have your payroll or other regular income check automatically deposited into your account. Complete this direct deposit request and return it to your employer's human resources or payroll department.
Online BillPay makes paying bills a snap. No checks to write, no stamps to buy, just a few clicks of your mouse and you're done. At Principal Bank, BillPay is unlimited and free, whether it's a recurring or one-time payment. Simply set up your payees once and you can automatically schedule your payments.
Reduce or eliminate ATM fees
Principal Bank does not impose ATM transaction fees when you access your account at non-Principal Bank ATMs. However, other financial institutions may impose surcharge fees when you use their ATM machines. To reduce or eliminate those fees, you may want to consider:
Use surcharge-free ATMs
Principal Bank is a member of two nationwide ATM networks, SHAZAM and STAR, that do not charge members.
Find a SHAZAM Privileged Status ATM
Get cash back when you use your debit card
Many retailers, such as grocery and drug stores, allow you to get cash back when you use your debit card to make purchases. To get cash back, use the "debit" button on the merchant terminal and enter your Personal Identification Number (PIN). Using your debit card for purchases instead of cash can also eliminate the need to have extra cash on hand.
Make larger withdrawals
When you withdraw cash at an ATM, plan ahead and withdraw larger amounts. Don't let surcharges add up by withdrawing $25 every week. Instead, withdraw $100 at the beginning of the month. You'll even save time by making fewer trips to the ATM.
Make the most of your money
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Explore other financial services.
Principal Bank offers several ways to save money--personal savings accounts, high-yield money market accounts, and certificates of deposit with a variety of terms.
Save for retirement in a secure, tax-advantaged Individual Retirement Account (IRA).
Principal Bank Customer Service
Principal Bank is open online 24/7 so you can bank anytime, anywhere. We're as close as your PC.
If you'd like to talk to a personal banker, call 1.800.672.3343 Monday through Friday from 7 AM - 9 PM (Central Time) excluding holidays.
E-mail us at principalbank@principal.com--do not include confidential information such as social security or account numbers.
Find what you need quickly with our online Customer Service Center.
