33% of Americans believe that online banking is less secure than brick-and-mortar financial services. They are used to visiting physical branches where they talk to bank representatives, get some personal attention, and solve problems.

That’s why, when it comes to online bank account verification, these people may be confused. They are skeptical about the digital bank verification process’s reliability and don’t want to make micro-deposits, complete instant verification, or use other available methods. This turns into a challenge for businesses that cannot do without bank account verification.

How to organize bank account verification then?

You should power the digital verification process with offline bank communications. This will help you find common ground with customers and make bank account verification smoother.

More about the most common bank and checking account verification methods and when to combine them with direct mail below. Read on to find out:

• What is the bank verification process?
• The key bank account verification methods and when you should combine them with offline bank communications
• The best way to automate sending online and offline bank communications

What is the bank verification process?

Bank account verification is the process used to check whether funds are transferred between legitimate bank accounts. With the help of online systems, such as the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network, financial services and businesses verify account numbers and other details to confirm the account ownership. Once they make sure that a specific account is open and belongs to the customer, they may start using it for the next transactions.

Why bank account verification matters

Bank account verification is, first of all, required by law. Since the accuracy and security of financial information is the cornerstone of the banking system, governmental bodies regularly monitor compliance. And year by year, regulations become more rigid and require more effort to comply with. In particular, in March of 2021, the National Automated Clearing House Association will implement a new rule that makes enhanced checking account verification measures mandatory. Starting from the next year, all companies that debit payments using ACH for orders placed online will have to use advanced fraud detection. The failure to meet such demands and ensure the appropriate bank verification process will result in penalties.

Security and stability of business operations are among the other reasons why financial institutions use the bank verification process. When they verify bank accounts, the risk of fraudulent activities reduces while the quality of provided services improves. Customers are sure that their funds are well-protected, and no third-party can access them unauthorized.

Main Bank Account Verification Methods and Offline Bank Communications

When you know what kinds of bank verification processes exist, you can choose the most appropriate approach. It’s not only about the account validation but also about how you inform customers about the bank verification process and the steps they need to take. Many financial institutions and businesses still use direct mail for bank communications as a supplement to electronic notices. Not sure when it’s relevant? Let’s discuss when to use offline bank communications with each bank account verification method.

Micro-Deposits

It’s one of the most commonly used ways to verify bank account information and ownership. Companies take small deposits (less than several dollars each) from the account of a customer. The customer has to provide the routing number and account number to enable them to complete the check.

In one or two business days, the customer enters the exact deposit amount on the company’s web page. If the provided information is correct, the account is verified.

Although this bank account verification procedure doesn’t offer instant verification, it’s simple and accurate. Besides, micro-deposits are well familiar to all age groups, from millennials to baby boomers. This approach allows people to complete the bank verification process online and offline with the same ease.

Thus, seniors who cannot make sense of online banking and anyone else who doesn’t have Internet access or prefer traditional bank communications can directly call financial institutions to ask about their micro-deposits. They can also wait for bank statements to provide verification details when the documents arrive.

When should you use offline communications with micro-deposits?

Since micro-deposit bank account verification is carried out both online and offline, direct mail is highly relevant. For example, if a person prefers to wait for a printed bank statement to learn the deposit amount, you can enclose a letter to guide them through the bank verification process.

Make sure to align your offline bank communications with the timing of micro-deposits. Customers should receive notices and additional information when they need it most. So don’t forget to warn the person about your planned actions and explain what they should do from their side.

Offline bank communications also work great if someone has forgotten to finish the bank verification process and doesn’t respond to emails and online notices. Since direct mail has much higher response rates than digital channels, offline bank communications are more likely to attract customers’ attention and make them complete the necessary action.

Instant Bank Account Verification

It’s the newest approach that helps businesses verify their customers’ bank account information in real-time. Currently, instant verification is provided by such services as Plaid, Dwolla, and other pioneers that offer companies a more straightforward way to conduct bank account verification. This method is suitable for customers who have immediate access to the Internet and use online banking.

Instant verification services unite businesses, customers, and financial institutions within a single web platform. Users just need to select their bank’s name and enter credentials such as password and user ID to confirm their accounts. The process is very easy and has become a standard solution for companies focused on electronic payments.

How can you enhance instant account verification with offline communications?

Instant account verification is a fully digital solution, and you won’t need offline bank communications to make it work. In this case, direct mail can be used to introduce customers to the bank verification process. You may also send thank you postcards to customers once they finish the verification and join your system. It’s an effective marketing technique that boosts customer loyalty.

Voided Check Bank Account Verification

Although this bank verification process is outdated, some companies are still using it. They ask customers to provide a voided check for collecting bank account details. Since a check includes an account number, an account holder’s name, and a routing number, it’s enough to confirm the account ownership.

The voided check verification is less secure than micro-deposits and takes much more time than instant verification. That’s why we recommend considering other bank verification processes.

Using offline communications with voided checks

You can use direct mail both to receive checks from customers and send them responses. Direct mail is the most convenient way to manage check-based bank account verification.

Send Online and Offline Bank Communications Automatically

Regardless of the type of bank communications you prefer, you will probably need to combine online and offline messages. If you want to send them automatically based on triggers, use specialized software.

Inkit’s direct mail automation tool enables businesses to deliver personalized print communications automatically. It also connects with CRMs and multiple third-party services to synchronize mailings with online notices. As a result, the system independently sends the necessary digital or print bank communications at the right moment.

Need to send bank communications? Contact us to request Inkit’s demo and start optimizing the delivery today.