The fastest way to close your account

Call Truist customer service at 1-800-872-2657 and tell them you want to close your checking account. They will ask for your account number, verify your identity, and process the closure over the phone. This takes about 10 minutes. You can also walk into any Truist branch with your ID and ask to close the account in person.

Before you call, make sure your account balance is zero or positive. If you have outstanding checks or automatic payments still pending, Truist will hold the account open until those clear. You should also transfer or withdraw any remaining money first — the bank will not close an account with a balance owed.

After closure, Truist will send you a final statement showing the account is closed. Keep this for your records. If you had direct deposits set up, update your employer or benefits provider with your new account information right away so payments do not bounce.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 1-800-872-2657 or visit a branch in person to close your account; phone closure takes about 10 minutes.
  • Your account balance must be zero or positive, and all pending checks or automatic payments must clear before closure is final.
  • Transfer or withdraw your remaining balance before you request closure, or Truist will hold the account open.
  • Update your employer, benefits provider, or anyone sending you direct deposits with a new account number before the closure takes effect.

What happens to pending transactions and automatic payments

If you have automatic bill payments or recurring transfers set up on your checking account, tell Truist about them when you request closure. The bank will not close the account until those transactions have cleared or you have canceled them. This can add days or weeks to the closure timeline.

Outstanding checks — checks you wrote but the recipient has not yet deposited — will also delay closure. Truist needs to know the checks are either cashed or canceled before they can shut down the account. If you are unsure whether a check has cleared, ask Truist to search their records or wait 30 days (the standard time for a check to expire) before calling back.

Direct deposits that are still scheduled to hit your account will fail after closure. Contact your employer's payroll department, your benefits administrator, or whoever sends you regular deposits and provide them with your new account information. Do this before you close the account, not after.

Closing the account online or through the mobile app

Truist does not offer account closure through their website or mobile app. You must call customer service or visit a branch. This is a security measure — the bank wants to verify your identity directly before permanently closing an account.

If you prefer not to call, you can visit any Truist branch during business hours. Bring your ID and your debit card. A banker will walk you through the closure, answer questions about your balance, and confirm that no pending transactions are still processing. Closure in person takes about the same time as a phone call.

What to do with remaining funds

Before you close your account, withdraw or transfer any money in the checking account. You can transfer funds to another bank account using Truist's online transfer tool, or you can withdraw cash at any Truist ATM or branch. If you have a small balance, ask the banker or customer service representative whether Truist will mail you a check instead.

If your account has a negative balance — meaning you owe Truist money — you must pay that amount before closure. Truist will not close an account with an outstanding debt. If you are unsure of your balance, log into your account online or call customer service to check.

Overdraft fees and negative balances

If your account went negative and you have unpaid overdraft fees, Truist will not close the account until you settle the debt. Call customer service to find out the exact amount owed, including any fees that have not yet posted. You can pay this amount over the phone using a debit card or bank account, or you can pay it in person at a branch.

Once you have paid the overdraft and any associated fees, your balance will be zero and you can proceed with closure. If you dispute an overdraft fee, tell Truist before you close the account — after closure, it becomes much harder to challenge the charge.

After your account is closed

Truist will send you a final statement within 30 days showing the account is closed. This statement is important — keep it for at least one year in case you need proof that the account no longer exists. If you are closing the account because of fraud or unauthorized activity, ask Truist to note that in your account record.

Your closed account will remain on your credit report for a period of time, but it will not hurt your credit score. Closed accounts in good standing actually help your credit by showing a history of responsible account management.

If you had a debit card linked to this checking account, it will stop working after closure. Destroy the card or contact Truist to request they deactivate it. Do not leave an old debit card lying around — if someone finds it, they may try to use it and could attempt fraud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my account if I still have pending direct deposits?

Truist will not close the account until pending deposits have posted or you have canceled them. Contact your employer or benefits provider and give them a new account number. Once those deposits stop hitting the old account, you can proceed with closure.

What if I have a negative balance and cannot pay it right now?

You cannot close the account until the debt is paid. Call Truist to discuss payment options. Some banks offer payment plans for overdraft debt, though this varies by situation. Ask whether you can set up a payment schedule before closure.

Do I lose my transaction history after I close the account?

No. Truist will mail you a final statement, and you can also download your transaction history from online banking before closure. Keep these records for tax purposes and to track where your money went.

How long does it take for the account to actually close?

If there are no pending transactions, the account closes immediately after you request it. If you have outstanding checks or automatic payments, closure can take 7 to 30 days depending on when those clear. Truist will confirm the exact timeline when you call.

Will closing my account hurt my credit score?

No. Closing a checking account does not affect your credit score. Only credit accounts — credit cards, loans, lines of credit — show up on your credit report. Checking accounts are not part of your credit history.