They are two separate banks with different ownership and service areas
First Citizens Bank and Citizens Bank are not the same company. They operate independently, have different owners, and serve different geographic regions. First Citizens Bank is a regional bank based in Raleigh, North Carolina, owned by First Citizens BancShares. Citizens Bank is a larger regional bank based in Providence, Rhode Island, owned by Royal Bank of Canada. The names are similar enough that confusion is common, but they do not share management, accounts, or branch networks.
If you have an account at one bank, it will not automatically work at the other. Your debit card, online login, and customer service line are specific to whichever bank issued your account. Deposits made at a First Citizens branch will not appear in a Citizens Bank account, and vice versa.
Key Takeaways
- First Citizens Bank is owned by First Citizens BancShares and operates primarily in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, while Citizens Bank is owned by Royal Bank of Canada and operates across the Northeast and Midwest.
- An account at one bank cannot be used at the other; they maintain separate systems, branches, and customer records.
- Both banks offer checking, savings, and loan products, but terms, fees, and interest rates differ between them.
- If you are unsure which bank you use, check your debit card, bank statements, or online banking portal for the correct name and logo.
Where each bank operates and what they offer
First Citizens Bank has branches in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, and a few other states. It is smaller than Citizens Bank and focuses on personal banking, small business lending, and wealth management. First Citizens also acquired CoBiz Financial in 2021, which expanded its commercial banking presence.
Citizens Bank has a much larger footprint, with branches across the Northeast (including Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania) and the Midwest (Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois). It is part of Royal Bank of Canada's U.S. operations and offers retail banking, commercial lending, and investment services. Citizens Bank is the larger of the two by total assets and customer base.
Both banks offer similar core products—checking and savings accounts, mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, and business accounts—but the specific terms, fees, and rates will differ. You cannot assume that a product or rate at one bank matches the other.
How to tell which bank you actually use
The easiest way to confirm which bank holds your account is to look at your debit card. The card will display the bank name and logo clearly. First Citizens cards show the First Citizens Bank name and logo; Citizens Bank cards show the Citizens Bank name and logo.
You can also check your bank statements, either paper or online. The statement header will list the bank name and the address of your account's home branch. Log into your online banking portal and look at the page title, header, or account information section—it will identify the bank.
If you still are not sure, call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your most recent statement. The representative will confirm which bank you are calling and can answer questions about your specific account.
What happens if you send money to the wrong bank
If you accidentally send a wire transfer, ACH payment, or check deposit to the wrong bank, the transaction may be rejected or returned. Banks use routing numbers to direct payments to the correct institution. First Citizens and Citizens Bank have different routing numbers, so a payment sent to one will not reach the other.
If you send an ACH transfer to the wrong bank's account number, the receiving bank will typically reject it within one to two business days and return the funds to your account. Wire transfers are harder to reverse; if the money reaches the wrong bank, you will need to contact that bank and ask them to return it, which can take several days or longer.
To avoid this, double-check the bank name, account number, and routing number before you send any payment. If you are unsure, contact your bank's customer service and read back the details before authorizing the transfer.
Mergers and name changes to watch for
First Citizens Bank has acquired other banks over the years and integrated them into its system. If you opened an account at a bank that was later bought by First Citizens, your account may have been transferred to First Citizens Bank. The same applies to Citizens Bank—it has acquired regional banks and consolidated them under the Citizens Bank name.
If you opened an account at a bank that no longer exists under its original name, check your current statements and debit card to see which bank now operates your account. Your account number may have changed, and your online login credentials may have been migrated to the new bank's system.
These transitions can take weeks to complete, and during that time you may see both the old and new bank names on statements or online portals. If you have questions about a recent merger or name change affecting your account, contact customer service for the bank listed on your current debit card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a First Citizens ATM if I bank with Citizens Bank?
No. ATM access is limited to your own bank's network or partner networks. First Citizens and Citizens Bank do not share ATM networks. You can use your Citizens Bank debit card at Citizens Bank ATMs and partner ATMs in their network, but not at First Citizens ATMs. Check your bank's website for a list of ATMs you can access without a fee.
If I move to a state where only one of these banks operates, do I have to close my account?
No. You can keep your account open and continue banking online, by phone, or by mail. However, you will lose access to in-person branches. Some banks charge higher fees for customers who do not use branches, so review your account terms or contact customer service to understand any changes to your account.
Do First Citizens and Citizens Bank share customer information?
No. They are separate companies and do not share customer data, accounts, or records. Your information at one bank is not visible to the other. If you have accounts at both banks, you will need separate logins and will manage them independently.
What if I have a check from someone who banks at the wrong bank?
You can still deposit it. The check's routing number tells your bank where to send it for collection. Your bank will route it to the correct bank automatically, regardless of which bank you use. Deposit it through your bank's mobile app, ATM, or branch, and it will be processed normally.