How to close a Regions Bank account

To close a Regions Bank account, call Regions customer service at 1-800-regions (1-800-734-6267) or visit a branch in person with a valid ID. The bank will ask which account you want to close, verify your identity, and process the closure. Any remaining balance will be sent to you by check or transferred to another account you specify. The account typically closes within one to three business days after you request it, though some holds or pending transactions may delay the final closure.

You do not need a reason to close your account, and Regions will not charge you a fee to do so. If you have automatic payments or direct deposits set up, you should cancel or redirect those before closing the account to avoid payment failures. Closing in person at a branch is often faster than calling, especially if you need to withdraw cash or settle any outstanding issues on the spot.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 1-800-734-6267 or visit a Regions branch with a valid ID to close your account; no fee applies.
  • Redirect automatic payments and direct deposits to another account before closing to prevent missed bills or delayed paychecks.
  • Any money left in the account will be mailed to you as a check or transferred to an account you name.
  • The account closes within one to three business days, though pending transactions may extend that timeline.
  • Closing in person is usually faster than calling and lets you handle cash withdrawals immediately.

Prepare your account before you close it

Before you call or visit, make a list of any automatic payments or recurring charges tied to the account—subscriptions, insurance premiums, utility bills, loan payments, or gym memberships. Log into your Regions online banking or mobile app and review the last 30 to 60 days of transactions to catch anything you might have forgotten. Write down the account number and routing number (1051000017 for most Regions checking accounts) so you can give them to any company that needs to update your payment method.

If you receive direct deposit paychecks, contact your employer's payroll department and provide them with your new account details at least a week before you close the old account. The same applies to any government benefits or regular transfers. Regions will not hold your money if a deposit arrives after closure, but the bank may return it to the sender, which can delay your payment by several days.

Check your account balance and decide how you want to receive any remaining money. If the balance is small, a mailed check is standard. If it is large or you need the money quickly, ask the Regions representative to transfer it to another bank account during the closure call or visit.

Close your account by phone

Call Regions customer service at 1-800-734-6267 during business hours (typically Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Central Time, and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Have your account number and a valid ID ready. The representative will verify your identity by asking for your Social Security number, date of birth, and possibly the last four digits of a linked debit card or the answer to a security question you set up.

Tell the representative you want to close the account and confirm which account type it is (checking, savings, money market, or other). They will ask about any remaining balance and how you want it handled. If you want the money transferred to another account, provide the routing number and account number of that bank. If you want a check mailed, confirm your mailing address. The representative will process the closure and give you a confirmation number—write it down.

Ask the representative to confirm that the account is closed and when you can expect the funds. They may also ask if you want to close any linked accounts (such as a savings account tied to your checking) or if there are any other services to cancel. Once the call ends, the closure is initiated, though it may take one to three business days to finalize.

Close your account in person at a branch

Bring a valid government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and your Regions debit card or account number to any Regions branch. Tell the teller you want to close your account. They will verify your identity and pull up your account on their system. This is the fastest way to close an account because the teller can handle everything immediately and you can withdraw any remaining cash on the spot if you choose.

The teller will ask the same questions as a phone representative: which account to close, how to handle the remaining balance, and whether any linked accounts should also close. If you want a check mailed, provide your current address. If you want a transfer to another bank, have that routing and account number ready. The teller will process the closure and print a receipt with a confirmation number.

Closing in person is especially useful if you have multiple accounts, need to withdraw large amounts of cash, or want to open a new account at a different bank and transfer funds immediately. It also eliminates any risk of miscommunication that can happen over the phone.

What happens to your money and when

If you have a positive balance when you close your account, Regions will send it to you by check within five to seven business days unless you request a transfer to another bank account. If you choose a transfer, the money typically arrives within one to three business days, depending on the receiving bank. Write down the confirmation number from your closure so you can track the check or transfer if needed.

If your account has a negative balance (you owe the bank money), Regions will attempt to collect it from any linked accounts or may send you a bill. Closing an account does not erase any debt you owe. If you have overdraft fees or other charges pending, those will be deducted from your balance before the remaining money is sent to you.

Any pending transactions—checks you wrote that have not cleared, debit card charges that are still processing, or ACH transfers in flight—may still post to the account after closure. Regions will hold the account open long enough to process these, which is why closure can take longer than one business day. Once all pending items clear, the account closes permanently.

Redirect automatic payments and direct deposits

This is the most important step and the one most people forget. Any automatic payment set to come out of your Regions account after closure will fail, which can result in late fees, missed bill payments, or service interruptions. Log into each company's website or call them directly to update your payment method. For utilities, insurance, loans, and subscriptions, you can usually change the account information online in your account settings.

For direct deposits, contact your employer, your bank (if you receive interest or dividend payments), and any government agency that sends you money (Social Security, unemployment, tax refunds). Provide them with your new account number and routing number. Make the change at least one week before your Regions account closes to ensure the next deposit goes to the right place.

If you miss redirecting a payment and it fails, contact the company immediately to make a manual payment and ask them to waive any late fees. Most companies will do this if you explain that you closed your bank account. For direct deposits, contact the sender and ask them to reissue the payment to your new account.

After your account closes

Once your account is closed, you will no longer be able to use your Regions debit card, write checks, or access the account online. If you have a Regions credit card, it is separate from your bank account and will not be affected by closing your checking or savings account. Your credit card account will remain open unless you close it separately.

Keep your closure confirmation number and any documentation (such as the receipt from the branch or a confirmation email) for your records. If a company tries to charge your closed account after closure, contact Regions and provide the confirmation number so they can investigate. Regions is required to block charges to closed accounts, but mistakes can happen.

If you closed your account because of a problem with Regions—such as unexpected fees, poor customer service, or a data breach—consider reporting the issue to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov. The CFPB tracks complaints about banks and can investigate if a pattern of problems exists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my Regions account if I have a negative balance?

You can request closure, but Regions will not finalize it until the negative balance is paid. The bank will attempt to collect the debt from any linked accounts or send you a bill. Closing the account does not erase what you owe.

What if I have checks still outstanding when I close my account?

Regions will keep the account open long enough for outstanding checks to clear. Once they do, the account closes. If you are worried about a check bouncing, contact the recipient and ask them to deposit it before your closure date, or request a new check from them after you close.

Do I lose my debit card immediately when I close my account?

Your debit card will stop working within one to three business days after closure. Do not rely on it after you request closure. If you need to make purchases, use a different payment method or withdraw cash before the account closes.

Can I reopen a Regions account I just closed?

Yes, you can open a new Regions account at any time. However, if your old account was closed due to fraud, excessive overdrafts, or other violations of Regions' terms, the bank may deny your application for a new account. Call customer service to ask if there are any restrictions on your profile before you try to open a new account.

What if I close my account but forget to redirect a direct deposit?

Contact the sender (your employer, Social Security, or other agency) immediately and provide your new account information. Ask them to reissue the payment. Most senders can do this within one to two business days. Regions will return any deposits that arrive after closure to the sender, which delays your payment.