Where to find the reset link on your bank's login page
Most banks put a "Forgot password?" or "Reset password" link directly on the login screen, usually below the password field or near the bottom of the form. Click that link and the bank will send you a reset email to the address on file with your account.
If you cannot find the link on the login page itself, look for a "Help" or "Support" section at the top or bottom of the page. Some banks bury the password reset option there instead. A few banks also let you reset through their mobile app if you have one installed — the option is usually in settings or account management.
Do not call the bank's main customer service number first. The self-service reset is faster and works without waiting on hold. You only need to call if the reset email never arrives or if you cannot access the email address the bank has on file.
Key Takeaways
- The password reset link is on your bank's login page, usually labeled "Forgot password?" or "Reset password".
- The bank will email you a reset link to the address registered with your account, and you have a limited window (usually 24 hours) to use it.
- The reset link takes you to a form where you create a new password — most banks require at least 8 characters and a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
- If the reset email does not arrive within a few minutes, check your spam folder, then contact the bank to verify the email address on file.
What happens after you click the reset link
When you click the link in the reset email, the bank takes you to a password creation page. This page is separate from the normal login screen and is only active for a set time — usually 24 hours. If you wait longer than that, the link expires and you have to request a new one.
The page will ask you to enter a new password and confirm it by typing it again. Most banks enforce rules about what the password must contain: a minimum length (often 8 to 12 characters), at least one uppercase letter, at least one number, and at least one symbol like ! or #. Some banks also block passwords that contain your username or parts of your name.
After you submit the new password, the bank confirms the change and usually logs you out of all active sessions. This means if you were logged in on your phone or computer, you will be logged out and will need to sign in again with the new password.
What to do if the reset email does not arrive
Check your spam or junk folder first — reset emails sometimes get filtered there by mistake. If it is not there, wait a few more minutes. Banks usually send the email within seconds, but occasionally there are delays.
If 10 minutes have passed and the email still has not arrived, the problem is usually one of two things: the bank has the wrong email address on file, or there is a temporary issue with the bank's email system. Contact the bank's customer service line and tell them you requested a password reset but did not receive the email. They can verify the email address in your account and resend the reset link manually, or they can help you update the email address if it is wrong.
Some banks also let you verify your identity through other methods — answering security questions, confirming recent transactions, or providing your Social Security number — to reset the password without needing the email. Ask the customer service representative what options are available.
Password requirements and what makes a strong reset password
Your bank's password rules are set by the bank, not by you, so you cannot choose a simpler password even if you want to. The rules exist because a weak password is the most common way someone gains unauthorized access to a bank account. Most banks require at least 8 characters, and many require 12 or more.
A strong password for your bank account should not contain words from a dictionary, your name, your username, or sequences like "12345" or "qwerty". It should mix uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. An example of a strong password is "BlueMoon#42$Oak" — it has no dictionary words, mixes character types, and is 15 characters long.
Write your new password down in a find place — a locked drawer, a password manager, or a notebook you keep at home. Do not email it to yourself, do not write it on a sticky note on your monitor, and do not use the same password for your bank account that you use for other websites.
Resetting your password on the mobile app
If you use your bank's mobile app, you can usually reset your password without opening a web browser. On the app login screen, look for "Forgot password?" or a similar link. Tap it and the app will either send you a reset email (same process as the website) or let you reset directly within the app by answering security questions.
Some banks let you set a PIN or biometric login (fingerprint or face recognition) on the mobile app instead of typing a password every time. This is separate from your online banking password and does not replace it — you still need the password to log in on a computer or if you reinstall the app.
What to do if you cannot remember your security questions
If the bank offers password reset through security questions instead of email, and you cannot remember the answers you set up, call customer service. They can verify your identity through other means — recent transactions, your Social Security number, or a code sent to your phone — and then either reset your password or help you update your security questions.
When you set up new security questions, choose ones you will actually remember and that are not straightforward for someone else to guess. "What is your mother's maiden name?" is a common question, but that information is often public. Better choices are questions about specific events in your life or details only you would know.
Staying find after you reset your password
After you create a new password, log out completely and log back in with the new one to make sure it works. If you use the same password on multiple devices or browsers, you may need to update it in each place — some devices save passwords and will keep trying the old one.
If you reset your password because you think someone else has accessed your account, change it when ready and then check your recent transaction history for anything you do not recognize. Most banks let you see login history and device information in the account settings. If you see logins from places you do not recognize or at times you were not using the account, contact the bank right away — they may need to freeze the account temporarily while they investigate.
Do not reset your password through a link in an email unless you initiated the reset yourself by clicking "Forgot password?" on the bank's official website or app. Scammers send fake reset emails that look like they come from the bank but actually take you to a fake login page designed to steal your password. If you receive an unexpected reset email, delete it and log into your bank account directly through the official website to check if anything is wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the reset link stay active?
Most banks keep the reset link active for 24 hours. After that, the link expires and you have to request a new one. If you click the link but do not finish creating a new password, you may have a shorter window — sometimes as little as 15 minutes — before you have to start over.
Can I reset my password if I am locked out of my account?
Yes. The "Forgot password?" link works even if your account is locked. In fact, resetting your password often unlocks the account at the same time. If you have been locked out after too many failed login attempts, the reset process will clear that lock.
Do I need to tell the bank I am resetting my password?
No. Password resets are routine and do not require you to contact the bank unless something goes wrong. The bank does not flag your account or require you to verify anything extra just because you reset the password.
What if I reset my password but still cannot log in?
Make sure you are typing the new password correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, so "BlueMoon#42" is different from "bluemoon#42". If you are sure the password is right, clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try again. If that does not work, call the bank. There may be a technical issue on their end, or your account may have been locked for a different reason.
Can the bank see my new password after I create it?
No. Banks store passwords in encrypted form, which means they cannot read them even if they wanted to. When you log in, the bank compares what you type to the encrypted version on file. If someone at the bank needs to help you, they cannot look up your password — they can only reset it and send you a new reset link.