The fastest way depends on which email provider you use
If you're moving to a new email account and want to keep your bank statements, transaction records, and account alerts, the method changes based on whether you're staying with the same email provider (Gmail to Gmail, Outlook to Outlook) or switching providers entirely (Gmail to Outlook, Yahoo to Gmail). Most banks send statements and notifications to your email on file, so transferring those messages is often simpler than changing the email address registered with the bank itself.
The two main routes are forwarding (which sends new mail to your new account going forward) and bulk export (which downloads your existing messages so you can upload them elsewhere). Forwarding takes minutes but only catches new mail. Export works for old messages but requires you to have access to both accounts at the same time.
If your goal is to stop receiving bank mail at the old account and start receiving it at the new one, the fastest path is usually to log into your bank's website or app, find the account settings or profile section, and change the email address on file there. That way the bank sends future statements and alerts to your new address without you moving any messages at all.
Key Takeaways
- Changing the email address in your bank's account settings is faster than moving messages if you only care about future statements and alerts.
- Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and other providers all have built-in forwarding tools that send new mail to your new account automatically.
- To keep old bank emails, use your provider's export or download tool to save messages as a file, then import them into your new account.
- If you're switching email providers, you may need to use a third-party tool or do the transfer in stages because not all providers accept imports the same way.
- After you change your email address at the bank, log back in to confirm the new address is active and test it by requesting a statement or alert.
Forwarding new mail to your new email address
Forwarding automatically sends every new message from your old account to your new one. It does not move old messages—only new ones arriving after you set it up. This is the right choice if you want to keep receiving bank alerts and statements without logging into the old account anymore.
In Gmail: Log into your old Gmail account, click the gear icon in the top right, select "See all settings," go to the "Forwarding and POP/IMAP" tab, click "Add a forwarding address," enter your new email, and confirm the verification code Gmail sends to that new address. Once confirmed, select "Forward a copy of incoming mail to [new address]" and choose whether to keep or delete the original from Gmail.
In Outlook: Log into your old Outlook account, select the gear icon, go to "Mail" > "Forwarding," enter your new email address, and toggle "Start forwarding." Outlook will send a confirmation link to your new address—click it to complete the setup.
In Yahoo: Log into your old Yahoo account, click the account icon, select "Account info," go to "Account security," find "Forwarding address," enter your new email, and confirm the verification code sent to that address.
Downloading and moving old bank emails
If you want to keep messages you've already received—old statements, transaction confirmations, payment receipts—you need to export them from your old account and import them into your new one. This process varies by provider and can take longer than forwarding, but it preserves your full email history.
In Gmail: Use Google Takeout to download your emails. Go to takeout.google.com, sign in to your old Gmail account, select "Mail," choose the label or folder containing your bank emails (or select all), and click "Create export." Google will prepare a file and email you a download link. The file format is MBOX, which most email providers can import. To import into your new Gmail account, use a tool like Thunderbird (free, open-source email software) or contact your new provider's support to ask if they accept MBOX imports directly.
In Outlook: Outlook does not have a built-in bulk export tool for users, but you can select messages manually, right-click, and choose "Move" to move them to a folder, then export that folder. Alternatively, use the Outlook desktop app (not the web version) to export: select your account, go to "File" > "Open & Export" > "Import/Export," choose "Export to a file," select "Outlook Data File (.pst)," and save it. You can then import that .pst file into your new Outlook account.
In Yahoo: Yahoo does not offer a direct export tool through the web interface. Your best option is to use the Yahoo Mail desktop app or a third-party tool like Thunderbird to download messages, or contact Yahoo support to ask about export options for your account type.
Changing your email address directly with your bank
This is often the simplest solution if you only care about future bank communications. You do not need to move any emails—just update the address on file so the bank sends new statements and alerts to your new account.
Log into your bank's website or mobile app, navigate to "Account Settings," "Profile," "Contact Information," or "Preferences" (the exact name varies by bank). Look for the email address field, update it to your new email, and save the change. Most banks send a confirmation email to your new address asking you to verify the change—click the link or enter the code to complete it.
After the change is confirmed, request a test message from the bank (many let you request a statement or send a test alert) to make sure mail is arriving at your new address. If you still have access to your old email account, you can also check that no new bank messages are arriving there.
Using third-party tools for complex transfers
If you're switching between very different email providers or have thousands of old messages, third-party migration tools can automate the process. Tools like Thunderbird (free), IMAP sync services, or paid migration services can move messages between accounts that might not otherwise work together.
Thunderbird is a free email client that can connect to almost any email provider and download your messages locally. Once downloaded, you can add your new email account to Thunderbird and upload the messages there. This works well for Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and most bank-specific email services.
Before using any third-party tool, make sure you trust it with your email credentials. Only use tools from established companies with clear privacy policies. Never share your bank's login information with a third-party tool—only your email provider's login.
What to do if your old email account is about to close
If you're closing your old email account soon, prioritize changing the email address at your bank first. This ensures the bank has your new address before the old account disappears. Then set up forwarding to catch any messages that might still arrive at the old address during the transition.
After forwarding is active, download and export any old bank emails you want to keep. Give yourself at least a week of forwarding before closing the old account, in case any delayed messages arrive. Some banks take a few days to update their systems, so messages sent during the transition period might still go to the old address.
Once you've confirmed that new mail is arriving at your new address and you've saved all the old messages you need, you can close the old email account. Most providers let you delete the account immediately or set it to inactive for a grace period (usually 30 days) before permanent deletion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my bank know I changed my email address?
Your bank will see the change in your account settings, but it does not affect your account security or standing. The bank simply updates where it sends statements and alerts. You do not need to call or visit a branch—the change takes effect as soon as you confirm it in the account settings.
Can I forward emails from my old account and still keep them there?
Yes. When you set up forwarding in Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo, you can choose to keep a copy of the message in your old account or delete it after forwarding. Most people choose to keep it so they have a backup, then delete the old account later once they're sure everything is working.
What if I don't have access to my old email account anymore?
If you've lost access to your old account, you cannot forward or export from it. Instead, go directly to your bank's website, log in with your bank credentials, and change the email address in your account settings. The bank does not need access to your old email to make this change. If you're locked out of your bank account too, contact the bank's customer service to verify your identity and update the email.
How long does it take to export emails from Gmail?
Google Takeout usually prepares your export within a few minutes to a few hours, depending on how many emails you have. You'll receive an email with a download link. The link stays active for seven days, so download the file before it expires.
Can I import emails into Gmail from another provider?
Gmail does not have a direct import tool in the web interface, but you can use Thunderbird or another email client to download messages from your old provider and then upload them to Gmail. Alternatively, some email migration services can move messages between providers for a fee, though this is usually only necessary if you have tens of thousands of emails.