Relationship Checking

Yes! Use the Open Online button above to open your new account today.

You may open an account online, stop by your local branch, or call to schedule an appointment. Here's what you'll need to have on hand to apply.

1. Social Security Number of all account owners
2. Driver’s license or State ID card
3. Home address and phone number

Switching banks? Check out our How to Switch Banks guide for all the details.

A relationship checking account is a type of checking account that rewards you for the deposit and loan balance relationships you have with the bank. For Merchants Bank's Relationship Checking, your monthly fee of $10 is waived if you have a daily balance of $1,500 in this checking account, or if the owner's total deposit and loan relationship equals $15,000 or more every day of the month/statement cycle. There are also additional perks like discounts or waived fees on other banking products like checks, an overdraft line of credit* or a safe deposit box.

First and foremost a relationship checking account is designed to reward you for having other deposit accounts or loans with the bank. It's meant to provide perks for being a loyal bank customer. 

Compared to some other checking accounts, typically a relationship checking account:

• Earns interest on the account balance based tiered rate structure.
• Has a specific type of banking relationship required to earn rewards. For Merchants Bank, this includes a $1,500 daily balance in this checking account, or if the owner's total deposit and loan relationship equals $15,000 or more every day of that month/statement cycle.
• Offers rewards such as free or discounts/waived fees on bank products or services.

Once your checking account is open, you may decide you'd like to add someone - by making them a joint-owner - or remove someone from your account.

• To add an owner: You can add an owner to an existing account anytime by visiting your local branch with the additional owner.
• To remove an owner: To remove someone from your Checking account, you'll need to close your current account and open a new one. Please note that if you are a parent/guardian and would like to remove yourself from your child's account when he/she turns 18, you will follow a separate process and not need to close the account.

A Universal Banker at your local branch can assist with any account ownership questions you may have.

To order checks you may login to your Personal Online Banking and click the Order Checks link on the Accounts Summary page next to the appropriate account. You may also contact us.

It's easy - just use our guide to switching your checking account.

Keeping your personal information safe is a top priority. Learn how we protect you and what you can do to protect yourself from fraud.

Interested in learning more about how FDIC insurance protects your deposits up to $250,000? Read more from the FDIC. If you have deposits with us that far exceed the $250,000 FDIC insurance threshold and would like to consider other options, please visit with us about the possibility of ICS/CDARS.

Businesses that originate a direct deposit into your bank account, such as your employer, financial advisor or social security office, or pull automatic payments, such as your utility company, fitness center or clinic/hospital, will provide you with an authorization form that asks for your account information. If any of it is incorrect it will delay the transaction in your account.

1. The Merchants Bank routing number is: 091900193
2. Identify your account type correctly. If this is incorrect the deposit will not reach your account.

• Select Checking for these account types: Diamond Money Market, Health Savings Account, Personal Checking Accounts, Business Checking Accounts
• Select Savings for these account types: Basic Savings, Advantage Savings, Kids Savers Club, My Future Fund, Summer or Winter Fund. 

Please note: All savings types can receive direct deposit, but only Basic and Advantage Savings can accommodate automatic payments. 

3. Provide your Full Account Number. For security reasons, we only display a partial account number in Merchants Online Banking and on account statements. If you need assistance confirming your full account number, please contact your local branch.

You may start online and we’ll contact you to stop in and complete the process, or you may call your local branch to schedule an appointment. 

Please have the following with you:

• Social Security Number of all account owners
• Driver’s license or State ID card
• Home address and phone number

If you are switching banks, you may find our How to Switch Banks guide useful.

All tax forms, including 1099, will be sent to the mailing address on file with Merchants Bank by January 31 each year. Please note that tax forms are not available online through Online & Mobile Banking.