How to manage recurring payments with Citizens

Citizens Switch Payments® lets you update your default payment option across 140+ leading bill providers and merchant accounts in a single workflow, which is especially useful after a card replacement or fraud event. Citizens Bill Pay gives you a consolidated view of all recurring payments scheduled through your Citizens checking account.

Keeping up with recurring payments can be a hassle, especially after opening a new checking account or replacing an expired debit or credit card. Each payment must be updated, which takes time. If you miss one, you could incur a late fee or experience a service interruption.

Switch Payments reduces the need for manual updates by letting you update saved payment details across participating merchants in just a few taps. Bill Pay streamlines how you manage recurring bills by allowing you to schedule and automate payments directly from your checking account. Both help you spend less time managing recurring payments so you can stay more organized and in control of your finances.

How to manage recurring payments

Citizens offers two distinct tools to help you manage your recurring financial commitments. While both keep your money moving smoothly, they serve two different purposes:

• Citizens Switch Payments® (seamlessly update your payment methods): This mobile app feature helps you update the payment method merchants already have on file for subscriptions, recurring bills, and online purchases. Instead of visiting multiple websites, locating payment settings, and entering account information each time, Switch Payments allows you to manage updates in one place within the Citizens app. The merchant continues to charge you directly, but now uses your selected Citizens account or card as the payment method within the Citizens mobile app
• Citizens Bill Pay (Automate your bills): This online and mobile banking tool manages how money is sent from your checking account. Instead of the merchant pulling money from your account, Citizens sends the payment to the biller on your behalf from your checking account based on the payment schedule you set. This can be useful for recurring expenses such as utilities, loans, rent and other scheduled payments. Use it to schedule, track, and automate fixed monthly expenses directly from your bank dashboard, such as your utilities, car loan or monthly rent.

When to use Switch Payments

If you get a new card, updating streaming services, online retailers and monthly subscriptions individually can be a tedious process. Switch Payments helps streamline that process by allowing you to update participating merchants from one place.

Citizens has partnered with many popular retailers, subscriptions and bill providers, covering over 70% of recurring payments. Enter your new payment information, and Switch Payments updates it with participating merchants.

• Control: Conveniently update multiple payments in the Citizens app
• Convenience: Manage updates in one place within the Citizens app instead of visiting multiple websites, locating payment settings, and entering account information each time.
• Time savings: Update several payments in minutes.
• Continuity: Helps avoid missed or declined payments when your account details change.

Switch Payments lets you update your payment information as often as needed. It helps save time when you need to replace a lost or expired card. It also makes it easy to update account information when you switch banks, consolidate accounts or move payments to a new checking account.

How to use Switch Payments

Updating payment information with Switch Payments is quick and easy. Just log into the Citizens mobile app and follow these steps:

1. Select your checking or credit card account
2. Tap Manage Account
3. Open Switch Payments
4. Choose bill providers and subscriptions
5. Citizens will switch the old card details to the new card

The process can be completed in just a few taps. There's no need to make a trip to a branch or wait for business hours to talk to a customer service representative.

Use Bill Pay to stay organized and on schedule

Bill Pay is another valuable tool that can simplify your finances. It allows you to send payments directly from your Citizens account, helping you avoid mail delays. Schedule fixed recurring payments for utilities, loans, and monthly rent, or use it to easily issue manual, one-time payments for variable bills like credit card statements.

How to use Bill Pay

To begin scheduling your bank-initiated payments, log into Citizens Online Banking or the mobile app:

1. Select the Pay Bills tab or dashboard option.
2. Add your company or individual payee by inputting their name and your billing account number.
3. Choose your payment amount, select the delivery date, and set the frequency to one-time or recurring.

While Switch Payments helps you update payment methods already stored with merchants, Bill Pay helps you schedule and send payments directly from your Citizens checking account. Bill Pay and Switch Payments both help you manage your finances, but in different ways. They are complementary tools that can help you save time and stay organized.

Manage recurring payments with confidence

A busy schedule doesn't mean you have to settle for missed payments and late fees. Switch Payments and Bill Pay can help you manage recurring payments at home or on the go.

Ready to keep your recurring payments running smoothly? Update your payment information with Switch Payments. With just a few taps on your mobile device, you can easily manage your finances without disrupting your day.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use Citizens Switch Payments to cancel a recurring charge, or only to update my payment method?

No. Switch Payments is strictly used to update your payment information with various merchants. To cancel a subscription, streaming service or merchant-initiated recurring charge, you must contact the provider directly. You can, however, cancel or edit any bank-directed payments you scheduled yourself within the Bill Pay portal.

How are Citizens Bill Pay® and Citizens Switch Payments different?

Switch Payments updates your debit or credit card account details with participating merchants. Bill Pay lets you schedule one-time and recurring payments yourself.

How does Citizens Bill Pay help me manage recurring payments?

With Citizens Bill Pay, you can set up one-time or recurring payments to avoid late or missed payments. Bill Pay can be used with payments you make regularly, including car loan, mortgage, utilities and credit card payments.