Call First Horizon or visit a branch to close your account
First Horizon Bank lets you close a checking account by phone, in person at a branch, or by mail. The fastest route is a phone call to their customer service line at 1-901-523-4444. Have your account number ready. You can also walk into any First Horizon branch with your ID and ask to close the account on the spot.
If you prefer mail, send a written request to First Horizon's customer service address. Include your full name, account number, and the date you want the account closed. The bank will confirm closure in writing, usually within five to ten business days of receiving your request.
Before you close, make sure any automatic payments or direct deposits tied to this account are moved to another bank account or stopped. First Horizon will not process transactions after closure, so a missed bill payment or missing paycheck deposit can create problems downstream.
Key Takeaways
- Phone closure at 1-901-523-4444 is the fastest method and takes minutes if your account is in good standing.
- You must have a zero or positive balance before First Horizon will close the account; they will not close an overdrawn account.
- Redirect automatic payments and direct deposits to another account before you close, or they will fail after the account shuts down.
- First Horizon will mail you a confirmation letter within one to two weeks; keep it for your records in case a charge appears later.
- If you have a negative balance or outstanding checks, the bank may hold the account open until those issues are resolved.
What happens to your balance and pending transactions
First Horizon will not close an account that has a negative balance. If you owe the bank money, you must bring the account to zero or positive before closure. Once the account is closed, the bank stops processing new transactions, so any check you wrote that has not yet cleared will bounce.
If you have a positive balance when you close, First Horizon will mail you a check for that amount within five to ten business days. Some branches can issue a cashier's check on the spot if you close in person, which is faster than waiting for a mailed check. Ask the teller whether that option is available at your location.
Pending transactions—charges that have been authorized but not yet posted—may still post after closure. This is rare, but it can happen with gas station charges, hotel holds, or subscription services. If a charge posts after your account closes, contact First Horizon immediately to dispute it or arrange repayment.
Stopping automatic payments and direct deposits before closure
Any automatic payment set up to pull from your First Horizon account will fail once the account closes. This includes utility bills, insurance premiums, loan payments, and subscription services. Log into your First Horizon online banking or call customer service to review what is set up, then contact each company to change the payment method or stop the payment entirely.
Direct deposits—paychecks, government benefits, or other recurring deposits—will also fail. Contact your employer's payroll department or the benefits office to provide your new bank account number. This usually takes one to two pay periods to take effect, so do this well before you close the account.
If you close the account before redirecting these payments, the money may be returned to the sender, and you could miss a payment or paycheck. Some employers charge a fee to reissue a check, and some benefits programs have strict rules about returned deposits. Start this process at least two weeks before you plan to close.
Closing a First Horizon savings account at the same time
If you have a First Horizon savings account linked to the checking account you are closing, you can close both in one call or visit. Tell the representative you want to close both accounts. The same rules apply: the account must have a zero or positive balance, and any automatic transfers between the accounts will stop.
If you have a savings account but want to keep it open, make sure the bank does not automatically close it when you close the checking account. Some banks close linked accounts together; First Horizon typically does not, but confirm this when you call. Ask the representative to note in your file that only the checking account should be closed.
What to do if you have outstanding checks
A check is outstanding if you wrote it but the recipient has not yet cashed it. First Horizon will not close your account if you have outstanding checks, because the bank needs to be able to pay them when they arrive. You have two options: wait until the checks clear, or contact the recipients and ask them to return the checks uncashed.
If you are waiting for checks to clear, ask First Horizon how long they will hold the account open. Most banks keep accounts open for 30 to 90 days after a closure request if outstanding checks are present. Once the checks clear or expire (usually six months from the date written), the account will close automatically.
If you want to close faster, contact the people or businesses you wrote checks to and ask them to destroy the checks or return them. Once you have confirmation that the checks will not be deposited, call First Horizon back and they can proceed with closure.
Keeping records after your account closes
Save the confirmation letter First Horizon sends you after closure. This letter proves the account is closed and can protect you if a charge appears on your credit report or if a company tries to collect a debt tied to that account. Keep it for at least one year, or longer if you have outstanding checks or pending disputes.
Download or print your account statements for the past 12 months before you close. Once the account is closed, accessing old statements becomes harder. You can usually request them from First Horizon, but having them saved on your computer or in a file is simpler and faster if you need to reference them later.
If you set up online banking, log out completely and delete any saved payment information tied to the old account. This reduces the risk that you or someone else will accidentally try to use the closed account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my First Horizon account if I have a negative balance?
No. First Horizon will not close an account with a negative balance. You must bring the account to zero or positive first. If you owe money, contact the bank to discuss a payment plan or settlement option before you request closure.
How long does it take First Horizon to close my account?
If you close in person or by phone and the account is in good standing with no outstanding checks, closure is immediate. You will receive a confirmation letter in the mail within five to ten business days. If you have outstanding checks or a pending dispute, the account may stay open longer.
Will First Horizon send me my remaining balance as a check?
Yes. If your account has a positive balance, First Horizon will mail you a check within five to ten business days. If you close in person at a branch, ask whether they can issue a cashier's check on the spot instead, which is faster.
What happens to automatic payments after I close my account?
They will fail. Before you close, contact each company (utilities, insurance, subscriptions) to change the payment method or stop the payment. If you do not redirect them, you may miss payments and face late fees or service interruptions.
Can I reopen my First Horizon account after I close it?
Yes, but you will need to open a new account. First Horizon does not reactivate closed accounts. If you closed because of a problem, contact customer service to discuss whether a different account type might work better for you.