Call BMO Harris or visit a branch to close your account

The fastest way to close a BMO Harris checking account is to call their customer service line at 1-888-340-2265 or walk into a branch with your ID. You can also close the account online through your digital banking portal if you have one set up, though phone or in-person closure is more reliable because the bank can confirm your identity immediately and answer questions about what happens to pending transactions or automatic payments.

Before you call or go in, make sure your account balance is zero. If you have money in the account, you'll need to withdraw it or transfer it to another bank first. If you have a negative balance (you owe the bank money), you must pay that amount before closing. The bank will not close an account with an outstanding balance.

Have your account number and ID ready when you contact them. If you're closing the account by phone, the representative will verify your identity by asking for personal information like your Social Security number or the last four digits of your card. They'll confirm there are no pending transactions, then process the closure. The account typically closes within one to three business days, though some holds or pending items can delay this.

Key Takeaways

  • Your account balance must be zero before BMO Harris will close the account—withdraw or transfer any remaining funds first.
  • Phone closure at 1-888-340-2265 is faster and more reliable than online closure because the bank can verify your identity and answer questions in real time.
  • Automatic payments and recurring charges linked to the account will stop working once it closes, so update those with your new bank before closure.
  • The account closes within one to three business days after you request it, but pending transactions can extend that timeline.
  • If you have a negative balance, you must pay it in full before the bank will close the account.

Stop automatic payments and recurring charges before closing

Any automatic bill payments, direct deposits, or subscription charges tied to your BMO Harris account will fail once the account closes. If you don't redirect them first, you'll miss payments on loans, utilities, or insurance—and late fees or service interruptions can follow.

Log into your BMO Harris account online or through the mobile app and look for the "Transfers" or "Payments" section. Make a list of every automatic payment coming out of this account: mortgage, car payment, insurance, utilities, streaming services, gym memberships, anything recurring. For each one, log into that company's website or call them and update your payment method to your new bank account or a credit card.

If you receive direct deposit paychecks into this account, contact your employer's payroll department and provide them with your new bank routing number and account number. This usually takes one to two pay cycles to take effect, so do this at least a week before you close the account.

Once you've moved all automatic payments and direct deposits, wait at least one full billing cycle to make sure nothing else tries to pull from the old account. Then you're safe to close.

Withdraw cash or transfer your balance to another bank

If your BMO Harris account has money in it, you have two options: withdraw the cash at a branch or ATM, or transfer it electronically to another bank account you control.

To withdraw cash, visit any BMO Harris branch or use an ATM that accepts BMO Harris cards. You can withdraw up to your daily limit, which varies by account type but is often $500 to $1,000 per day at an ATM. If your balance is larger than the daily limit, you may need to make multiple withdrawals or visit a branch to withdraw the full amount at once.

To transfer electronically, log into your BMO Harris account online and look for "Transfer Money" or "Move Money." Select the account you want to send funds to—this must be an account in your name at another bank. Enter the receiving bank's routing number and your account number there. BMO Harris will move the money within one to two business days. This is safer than carrying large amounts of cash and leaves a clear record of where the money went.

What happens to checks and debit cards after closure

Once your account closes, any checks you wrote that haven't cleared will bounce. If you've already given checks to someone, contact them and let them know the account is closing so they can deposit them before the closure date, or ask them to wait for a replacement check from you.

Your BMO Harris debit card will stop working immediately or within a few days of closure. You don't need to do anything—the card simply becomes inactive. If you want to destroy it for security reasons, cut it up or shred it. You don't have to return it to the bank unless they specifically ask.

If you have a checkbook with unused checks, you can throw them away or shred them. Do not use them after the account closes—they will bounce and may trigger overdraft fees or fraud flags.

Confirm the account is closed and get written confirmation

After you request closure, ask the BMO Harris representative for a confirmation number or reference number. Write this down. If you closed by phone, ask them to email or mail you written confirmation of the closure date.

Log into your online banking a few days later to verify the account no longer appears in your account list. If it still shows up after five business days, call customer service again to confirm the closure went through.

Keep any written confirmation for your records. If a company later tries to charge your closed account or if there's a dispute about when the account closed, you'll have proof of the date and time you requested it.

Reopen a closed account if you change your mind

If you close your account and then realize you need it back, you may be able to reopen it within a certain window. BMO Harris typically allows you to reopen a closed account within 30 to 90 days, though this varies. Call 1-888-340-2265 and ask whether your account can be reopened and what information they need from you.

If the account is reopened, it will have a new account number. Any automatic payments or direct deposits you set up with the old account number will not automatically transfer to the new one—you'll need to update them again.

After the reopen window closes (usually 30 to 90 days), the account is permanently closed and cannot be restored. You would have to open a new account from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my account online without calling?

You can attempt to close it through your online banking portal, but phone or in-person closure is more reliable. Online closure sometimes gets stuck or requires follow-up calls. Calling 1-888-340-2265 takes 10 minutes and guarantees the closure is processed correctly.

What if I have a pending deposit or check that hasn't cleared?

Tell the BMO Harris representative about the pending item before you close. They may ask you to wait until it clears, or they may close the account and redirect the deposit to a new account you provide. Do not close the account if you're expecting a large deposit—wait for it to clear first.

Will closing my account hurt my credit score?

No. Closing a checking account does not appear on your credit report and does not affect your credit score. Credit reports track credit accounts (loans, credit cards, lines of credit), not deposit accounts.

Do I have to close the account in person, or can someone else do it for me?

BMO Harris requires the account holder to request closure for security reasons. If you're unable to call or visit, you can authorize someone with power of attorney to close it on your behalf, but you'll need to provide that legal document to the bank.

What if there's a hold on my account?

If BMO Harris has placed a hold on your account (usually due to suspicious activity or a dispute), you cannot close it until the hold is lifted. Call customer service to find out why the hold is there and how long it will last. Once it's removed, you can proceed with closure.