You can close a Regions checking account by phone, in person, or online, depending on your account type and whether you have an outstanding balance

Regions Bank does not charge a fee to close a checking account. You can initiate the closure through their customer service line at 1-800-regions (1-800-734-4667), by visiting a local branch in person, or through your online banking portal if that option is available for your account type. Before you close, make sure any pending transactions have cleared and that you have moved your direct deposits and automatic payments to another account.

The process itself takes minutes, but the actual closure may take a few business days to complete. During that time, Regions will continue to process any checks or transfers that were already in motion. You should receive written confirmation of the closure, and any remaining balance will be sent to you by check or transferred to another account you specify.

Key Takeaways

  • Call Regions at 1-800-734-4667 to close your account over the phone, or visit a branch in person with your ID and account information.
  • Stop all direct deposits, automatic bill payments, and recurring transfers before you close, or they may fail and trigger overdraft fees.
  • Any remaining balance will be mailed as a check or transferred to another account; confirm which method you prefer when you close.
  • Regions does not charge a closure fee, but any outstanding balance or pending transactions may delay the final closure by a few business days.
  • Request written confirmation of the closure so you have a record for your files.

Stop automatic payments and direct deposits first

Before you contact Regions to close the account, redirect all money flowing in and out. Log into your online banking or call the companies that deposit money into this account—your employer, Social Security, pension provider, or benefits program—and update your banking information to point to your new account instead. This usually takes one to three business days to take effect.

Do the same for any automatic bill payments, subscription charges, or transfers you have set up. Check your recent statements for the past two months to catch anything you might have forgotten about. If you close the account while these are still active, the transactions will fail, and you may face overdraft fees or late-payment penalties from the companies trying to charge you.

Once you have moved everything, wait at least one full business day before closing the account to make sure no stray transactions arrive.

Close by phone, in person, or online

By phone: Call Regions customer service at 1-800-734-4667. Have your account number and a form of ID ready. The representative will confirm your identity, verify that no automatic payments are pending, and process the closure. This usually takes five to ten minutes. Ask for a confirmation number and request that they mail you written confirmation of the closure.

In person: Visit any Regions branch with your ID and account information. A teller can close the account on the spot and provide you with a receipt. This is the fastest way to get written proof of closure. If you have a large balance in the account, bringing it in person also lets you receive cash or a cashier's check immediately instead of waiting for a mailed check.

Online: Some Regions account types allow you to close through the online banking portal under account settings. Log in, find the account closure option, and follow the prompts. Not all account types support this method, so if you do not see the option, use phone or in-person closure instead.

What happens to your remaining balance

Regions will not keep any money left in your account. When you close, you must tell them how to return the balance. Your options are usually a check mailed to your address on file, or a transfer to another bank account you specify. If you choose the check, it typically arrives within five to seven business days. If you choose a transfer, it may take one to three business days depending on the receiving bank.

If your account is overdrawn—meaning you owe Regions money—you must settle that balance before the account can close. You can pay it over the phone with a debit card or bank transfer, or in person at a branch with cash, check, or card.

Confirm the closure in writing

After you close the account, Regions should send you a written confirmation letter within one to two weeks. This letter will show the closure date and the final balance. Keep this for your records, especially if you are closing because of fraud or a dispute. If you do not receive confirmation within two weeks, call customer service again and ask them to resend it or provide a reference number for the closure.

Do not assume the account is closed just because you requested it. Check your next statement or log into online banking after a few days to confirm the account no longer appears in your active accounts list. If it still shows up after a week, contact Regions again to follow up.

What to do if you have a dispute or fraud on the account

If you are closing because of unauthorized transactions or fraud, tell the Regions representative that when you call or visit. They may place a fraud hold on the account while they investigate, which could delay closure by a few days. You can file a dispute claim for fraudulent charges, and Regions will typically refund those amounts while they investigate—usually within 10 business days for a provisional credit, and up to 45 days for a final information.

Keep records of all fraudulent transactions, any correspondence with Regions, and your closure request. If the fraud is tied to identity theft, also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov and consider placing a fraud alert with the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my Regions account if I have pending checks?

Regions will not close the account until all pending checks have cleared. If you have outstanding checks, wait until they post or contact the payee to cancel them. Once cleared, you can proceed with closure. If a check never clears, Regions may close the account anyway after 30 to 60 days, depending on their policy.

Will closing my Regions account hurt my credit score?

No. Closing a checking account does not affect your credit score because checking accounts are not reported to credit bureaus. Your credit is only impacted by credit products like loans, credit cards, and lines of credit.

What if I forgot to redirect my direct deposit before closing?

Contact your employer or benefits provider immediately with your new account information. If a deposit arrives at the closed Regions account, Regions will typically return it to the sender, and you will need to resubmit your banking details to have it sent to the correct account. This can delay your payment by one to two weeks.

Do I need to close my account in person, or can I do it all by phone?

You can close entirely by phone. However, closing in person at a branch is faster if you want immediate written confirmation or if you have a large balance you want to receive as cash or a cashier's check on the spot.

How long does it take for Regions to fully close my account?

The closure request is processed immediately, but the account may remain open for a few business days while pending transactions clear. You should see it removed from your online banking within three to five business days. Written confirmation arrives within one to two weeks.