USA – This Bank Account Is In ‘Failed Bank Account’ List. Please Re-Validate the Failed Bank. Fix

In the United States, when a bank account is on a “failed bank account” list, it typically means a validation check has failed. This is a common occurrence in various financial and government systems, such as for direct deposit of paychecks, tax refunds, or other electronic payments. The issue is almost always a mismatch of information.

The term “failed bank account” can also refer to a bank that has officially failed and been taken over by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). However, in most user-facing contexts like a direct deposit form, it refers to a validation error.

Here’s a breakdown of the common reasons for failure and how to re-validate the account in the U.S. context:

Common Reasons for a “Failed Bank Account” Validation

• Incorrect Information:

  • The most common cause is a simple typo. This includes an incorrect bank account number or the wrong routing number.

• Name Mismatch:

• The name on the bank account does not exactly match the name on the record you are trying to validate it with (e.g., your name on an employer’s payroll system or a government portal). This is a frequent issue with married names, hyphenated names, or informal name variations.

• Account is Closed or Inactive:

  • The account number belongs to an account that is no longer active, has been closed, or has been dormant for a long period.

• Account Type Error:

  • You have selected the wrong account type (e.g., savings instead of checking).

• Bank Merger:

  • Your bank may have merged with another institution, and the routing number has changed.

Steps to Re-validate a Failed Bank Account

1. Identify the Reason for Failure:

   • The platform or system you are using should provide a specific reason for the failure. Look for an error message that says something like “Name Mismatch” or “Account Number Invalid.”

2. Verify Your Information:

   • Check the Account Number and Routing Number: Look at a recent bank statement or log in to your bank’s online portal to confirm the correct account and routing numbers.
   • Confirm Your Name: Ensure your name is spelled exactly the same on the platform as it is on your bank records. If there is a discrepancy, you will need to either update your name with the organization or with your bank.
   • Verify Account Status: Call your bank to confirm that the account is still open and active.

3. Correct the Information:

   • Go back to the section on the platform where you entered your bank details.
   • Click on the “Edit” or “Re-validate” option for the failed account.
   • Carefully re-enter all of the information, paying close attention to the details you’ve just verified.

4. Submit for Re-validation:

   • Once you have corrected the details, submit the request again. The validation process can take a few days, depending on the method the system uses (e.g., micro-deposits, direct database checks).

What if the Bank Itself Has Failed?

In the rare event that the bank itself has actually failed, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is the entity that steps in. You can check the official FDIC Failed Bank List to see if your bank is on it.

• If your bank has failed, the FDIC will typically transfer your deposits to a healthy institution. You will be notified of the acquiring bank, and your account will be seamlessly transferred. Your deposits are insured up to at least $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category.
• In this scenario, you would simply use the new bank’s information (name, routing number, etc.) to re-validate your account on any external platforms.