Open an Account

Guidelines for Opening a Personal Checking Account at Benchmark

Currently, individuals wishing to open an account at Benchmark must come into a branch to do so.

What to bring with you:

• Identification such as a current driver's license. *(please read below)
• Your Social Security Number.
• An initial deposit.**

The procedure:

1. Account selection. The relationship specialist will help you select the account that is best for you and your lifestyle.
2. Check selection. The relationship specialist will help you select a check style. You will also get some temporary checks.
3. Service selection. The relationship specialist will explain the various auxiliary service options available to you as a checking account holder, explain how each works, and help you get signed up for those you select. These options include:
   • Visa^® Debit Card
   • Internet Banking
   • Mobile Banking
   • Bill Pay
   • E-statements
   • Text Message Banking
   • Banking by Phone
4. BCB overview. The relationship specialist will briefly share with you information on other Benchmark services and resources such as Money Management, a free online budgeting and tracking tool, the bank's rewards programs, and online financial education program, MoneySmart by Banzai, a library of financial articles, guides, and tools.
5. Welcome folder. You will be given a folder with all the information you will need to get started with your account and banking at Benchmark.
6. Follow-up call. A couple of weeks after opening your account, the relationship specialist will give you a call to make sure you have received your checks and that all services are working well for you. This is a good time to ask any lingering questions or raise any concerns you may have about the account or Benchmark services.

If you have additional questions about opening an account at Benchmark that you would like answered before coming into the branch, give your local branch a call or e-mail us. We look forward to meeting you!

Note: If you are switching your main account and services from another financial institution to Benchmark, we can assist you with the process and make the switch easier! Just let us know the extent to which you would like our help or access our SimpleSwitch Kit.

**About identification and acceptable IDs: To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, U.S. Federal law requires financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person (individuals and businesses) who opens an account. What this means for you: When you open an account, we will ask for certain information and a U.S. driver's license that will allow us to identify you. If you do not have a valid driver's license with a current address, please call the bank for further instruction.

**The minimum opening deposit varies by account. We encourage you to look over the various account options to learn these minimums.