Where to find your statements

Your bank statements are available through your bank's website, mobile app, or by mail. Most banks let you download statements as PDFs going back several years. You can also request paper copies mailed to your address, though some banks charge a fee for this service.

Log into your online banking account and look for a section labeled "Statements," "Documents," "History," or "Account Statements." The exact name varies by bank. From there you can usually select a date range and download or view the statement immediately. If you cannot find it, call the customer service number on the back of your debit card.

Some banks also let you set up automatic delivery—the statement arrives by email as a PDF on the same day each month, or you can have paper copies mailed automatically. This is useful if you need statements for taxes, loan applications, or your own records.

Key Takeaways

  • Online banking accounts let you download statements as PDFs for free, usually going back three to seven years depending on your bank.
  • Paper statements mailed to your address may cost $1 to $5 per copy, though some banks still send them free if you request them.
  • You can set up automatic monthly delivery by email or mail so you do not have to request each statement separately.
  • If you cannot log into online banking, call your bank's customer service line to request statements by phone or mail.

What information appears on a statement

A bank statement shows every deposit, withdrawal, transfer, and fee that moved through your account during the statement period—usually one month. It lists the date, amount, and description of each transaction, your starting balance, your ending balance, and any interest earned or fees charged.

The statement also shows your account number, the statement period dates, and contact information for your bank. Some statements include a running balance after each transaction; others show only the opening and closing balance. If you use checks, the statement will show which checks have cleared and which are still outstanding.

How far back statements go online

Most banks keep statements available online for 24 to 84 months—that is, two to seven years. Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank typically offer at least five years of online history. Smaller regional banks and credit unions vary, so check your bank's website or call to confirm.

If you need a statement older than what is available online, you can request it from your bank's records department. There is usually a fee for this service, ranging from $5 to $25 per statement, and it may take one to two weeks to receive. Some banks will not retrieve statements older than ten years.

Downloading and saving statements

When you download a statement from your bank's website, it arrives as a PDF file. Save it to a folder on your computer or cloud storage (like Google Drive or Dropbox) with a clear name—for example, "Chase_Checking_2024_01" for January 2024. This makes it easy to find later if you need it for taxes, a dispute, or a loan application.

If you receive statements by email, do not rely only on your email inbox. Email accounts can be hacked or deleted, and old emails are harder to search. Download the PDF and store it in a separate folder. Many people keep a folder for each year and each account, so all tax documents are together when needed.

Getting statements if you cannot access online banking

If you do not have internet access, do not remember your password, or prefer not to use online banking, call your bank's customer service number. You can request that statements be mailed to you. Most banks will do this at no charge if you ask, though some charge $1 to $5 per statement if you request them frequently.

You can also visit a branch in person and ask a teller to print a statement for you on the spot. Bring your ID and debit card. This is the fastest way to get a statement if you need it the same day.

Statements for joint accounts and authorized users

If your account is joint—meaning two or more people own it—both owners can usually access the full statement online. The bank may send paper statements to both addresses on file, or you can choose to have only one person receive them. Contact your bank to change who receives paper statements.

If you are an authorized user on someone else's account, you may not see the full statement. This depends on the bank and the permissions set up when you were added. Ask the account owner to check their bank's settings, or call the bank together to clarify what you can access.

Using statements to spot fraud or errors

Review your statement each month for transactions you do not recognize. If you see a charge you did not make, contact your bank right away. Most banks have a fraud department that can investigate and reverse unauthorized charges within 10 business days if you report it promptly.

Check the math too: add up the deposits and subtract the withdrawals to make sure the ending balance is correct. Errors are rare, but they happen. If the balance does not match, call your bank and ask them to review the statement with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get statements for a closed account?

Yes. Most banks keep records of closed accounts for at least five to seven years. Call the bank and ask for statements from the closed account. There may be a small fee, and it may take one to two weeks to receive them.

What if my bank went out of business?

If your bank failed, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) took over. Contact the FDIC at 1-877-275-3342 or visit fdic.gov to find out which bank now holds your account records. You can then request statements from that bank.

Do I need original statements or are PDFs okay?

PDFs are usually fine for taxes, loan applications, and most official purposes. Some lenders or government agencies may ask for "official" statements, which means printed copies with the bank's letterhead. Ask whoever is requesting the statement whether a PDF is acceptable before you download it.

How do I get statements for a business account?

Business account statements work the same way as personal accounts—log into online banking, download the PDF, or request paper copies by mail. Some banks require the business owner or an authorized signer to request statements. Call your bank's business customer service line if you have trouble accessing them.

What if I never set up online banking?

Call your bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your most recent paper statement. Tell them you want to set up online access or request statements by mail. They can walk you through the process or mail statements automatically each month.