Call Wells Fargo or visit a branch to close your savings account
You can close a Wells Fargo savings account by phone, in person at a branch, or online through your account settings. The fastest route is usually a phone call to the number on the back of your debit card or your account statement — you'll reach a representative who can process the closure immediately. If you prefer to do it in person, bring a valid ID to any Wells Fargo branch and ask to speak with an account representative.
Before you close the account, make sure you know the current balance and have moved any money you want to keep to another account. Wells Fargo will not transfer funds to another bank during closure — you must do that yourself beforehand. If your account has a negative balance or outstanding fees, those will be deducted from any remaining funds, or you may owe Wells Fargo money after closure.
The account closes immediately when you complete the request, though it may take a few business days for pending transactions to clear. Once closed, you cannot deposit or withdraw money from that account, and Wells Fargo will stop processing any automatic payments or transfers linked to it.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on your debit card or statement to close over the phone, or visit a branch in person with a valid ID.
- Move any money you want to keep to another account before closing, because Wells Fargo will not transfer it for you.
- Pay off any negative balance or outstanding fees before closure, or they will be deducted from your remaining funds.
- Cancel any automatic payments or transfers linked to the account before you close it, or they may fail after closure.
- The account closes immediately, but pending transactions may take a few business days to clear.
What happens to pending transactions and automatic payments
If you have automatic payments, transfers, or direct deposits set up on the account you're closing, stop them before you submit your closure request. Wells Fargo will reject any transactions that try to process after the account is closed, which can result in overdraft fees at the other institution or missed bill payments.
Pending transactions — charges that have been authorized but not yet cleared — may still process for a few days after closure. Check your account for the next week to make sure everything has settled. If a transaction posts after the account is closed, contact Wells Fargo to report it and request a reversal if it was unauthorized.
Withdrawing or transferring your money before closure
You must move your savings to another account before closing. You can withdraw cash at a Wells Fargo ATM or branch, transfer to another Wells Fargo account you own, or move money to a different bank using an external transfer.
To transfer to another bank, log into your Wells Fargo account online or through the mobile app and look for "Transfer Money" or "Move Money." Select the external account you want to send funds to — if you haven't set one up yet, you'll need to add it first. External transfers usually take one to three business days. Alternatively, you can call Wells Fargo and ask them to initiate the transfer for you, though you'll still need to provide the receiving bank's routing number and your account number there.
If you have a large balance or need the money immediately, withdrawing cash at a branch is the fastest option. Bring your ID and debit card, and ask the teller to withdraw the full balance.
Closing an account with a negative balance or outstanding fees
If your account is overdrawn or has unpaid fees, Wells Fargo will deduct those amounts from any remaining funds in the account. If the balance is not enough to cover what you owe, you will be responsible for paying the difference after closure.
Contact Wells Fargo before you close to find out exactly what you owe. Ask whether any fees can be waived — some overdraft or maintenance fees are reversed if you ask, especially if the account is in good standing otherwise. Once you know the total amount due, you can decide whether to pay it before closure or settle it afterward.
If Wells Fargo sends your account to collections because you didn't pay after closure, it will appear on your credit report. Pay any outstanding balance as soon as you can to avoid this.
Closing online through your Wells Fargo account
Some account types can be closed through the Wells Fargo website or mobile app. Log in, go to your account settings, and look for an option to close the account. Not all savings accounts offer this option — if you don't see it, you'll need to call or visit a branch instead.
If the online closure option is available, follow the prompts to confirm your request. You'll usually be asked to confirm your identity and review any outstanding balance or fees. Once you submit, the account closes immediately, though you should receive a confirmation email within a few minutes.
What to do if Wells Fargo won't close your account
Wells Fargo may refuse to close an account if there are unresolved disputes, pending legal claims, or if the account is flagged for fraud investigation. If this happens, ask the representative why the account cannot be closed and what steps you need to take to resolve the issue.
If you believe Wells Fargo is wrongfully refusing closure, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) online at consumerfinance.gov. The CFPB will investigate and may require Wells Fargo to respond. Keep records of all communication with Wells Fargo, including dates, names of representatives, and what was discussed.
After your account is closed
Once the account is closed, you will no longer receive statements or have access to it online. If you need records of transactions from the closed account, contact Wells Fargo and request account history — they can usually provide statements for the past seven years.
If you closed the account because of a problem with Wells Fargo's service, consider whether you want to keep your other accounts open. If you decide to close all your Wells Fargo accounts, follow the same process for each one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen a Wells Fargo savings account after I close it?
Yes, you can open a new savings account with Wells Fargo at any time after closure. However, if the account was closed due to fraud, excessive overdrafts, or other violations of Wells Fargo's account agreement, they may refuse to open a new account for you. Contact Wells Fargo to ask whether you're able to open a new account before you try.
What if I have a check that hasn't cleared yet when I close my account?
If a check is still pending when you close, it may bounce after the account is closed because there will be no account to debit. Contact Wells Fargo immediately if this happens and ask them to honor the check or reverse any overdraft fees charged to the other party's bank. You may also need to contact the check recipient and arrange payment another way.
Do I need to close my Wells Fargo debit card when I close my savings account?
Your debit card is linked to your checking account, not your savings account, so closing savings does not affect it. However, if you're closing all your Wells Fargo accounts, you should cancel the debit card separately to prevent unauthorized use. Call the number on the back of the card to cancel it.
How long does it take for Wells Fargo to close my account after I request it?
The account closes immediately when you submit your request by phone, in person, or online. However, pending transactions may take a few business days to clear, and you may continue to receive statements or notices for a week or two after closure while the system updates.
Will closing my savings account hurt my credit score?
Closing a savings account does not directly affect your credit score because savings accounts are not reported to credit bureaus. However, if you owe money on the account after closure and Wells Fargo reports it to collections, that will damage your credit. Pay any outstanding balance before or immediately after closure to avoid this.