How to close a bank account
To close a bank account, contact your bank directly by phone, in person, or through their website, and tell them you want to close the account. Most banks will ask you to move any remaining money out first, confirm you have no pending transactions, and may require you to return any debit cards or checks. The bank will then freeze the account and send you a final statement showing the closure date. The whole process usually takes a few days to a week, though some banks complete it the same day you request it.
Before you call, make sure you have moved money out of the account or know how you want the remaining balance handled. You should also check whether you have any automatic payments, direct deposits, or standing orders tied to that account — these will stop working once the account closes, which can cause bills to bounce or paychecks to fail to deposit.
Key Takeaways
- Contact your bank by phone, in person, or online to request closure; most banks complete the process within a few days.
- Move your money out of the account first or tell the bank how to handle any remaining balance.
- Cancel or redirect any automatic payments, direct deposits, or recurring charges before closure to avoid missed bills or bounced payments.
- Return any debit cards, checks, or other bank materials the institution gave you.
- Keep your final statement as proof the account is closed, especially if you had automatic payments tied to it.
What to do before you close
The most important step is to stop any money from flowing in or out of the account after it closes. Log into your account or call your bank and make a list of every automatic payment, subscription, or recurring charge that uses this account — this includes utilities, insurance, loan payments, gym memberships, streaming services, and anything else that withdraws money automatically. You will need to update each one with a new payment method or account number before you close.
If you receive direct deposit paychecks or government benefits into this account, contact your employer or the benefits program and give them your new account number. If you do not redirect direct deposits, your money will be rejected and you may face delays getting paid. Some employers take a full pay cycle to process the change, so do this well before you close the account.
Withdraw or transfer any money you want to keep. Some banks will return a small remaining balance by check or to another account you specify, but it is safer to move the money yourself. If the account has overdraft protection or a line of credit attached, confirm with the bank whether those will be affected by closure.
How to close the account
Call your bank's customer service number, visit a branch in person, or log into your online banking and look for a "close account" or "account settings" option. Have your account number ready. The bank will confirm your identity, ask why you are closing (they may try to keep you as a customer), and verify that you have no pending transactions or outstanding fees.
If there is money left in the account, the bank will ask what you want to do with it. You can request a check, a transfer to another account, or in some cases a wire transfer. If you owe the bank money — overdraft fees, unpaid interest, or other charges — the bank will deduct that from your balance before returning anything to you.
Once you confirm closure, the bank will freeze the account immediately. Any transactions that were already in process (like a check you wrote or a payment you scheduled) may still go through, so the bank may keep the account open for a few more days to clear those. Ask the bank for the exact closure date and whether you will receive a final statement by mail or email.
What happens after closure
The account will no longer accept deposits or withdrawals. If someone tries to send you money to this account, it will be rejected and returned to the sender. If you set up automatic payments after closure, those transactions will fail and you may be charged a fee by the company trying to collect the payment.
The bank will send you a final statement showing the closure date and any remaining balance or fees. Keep this statement for your records — it proves the account is closed and can help you if there are disputes later. If the bank owes you money, it will arrive by check or transfer within a few business days, depending on how you requested it.
Your account history will remain in the bank's system for several years, even after closure. You can usually request copies of old statements if you need them for tax purposes or to dispute a transaction. The bank will not delete your account information immediately.
Closing a joint account
If the account is held jointly with another person, both account holders usually have to agree to close it. Contact the bank and ask what their policy is — some banks allow one person to close a joint account unilaterally, while others require written consent from both owners. If you and the other person disagree about closure, the bank may not close the account until the dispute is resolved.
Before closure, decide how to split any remaining balance. The bank will not divide the money automatically; you and the other person have to agree on how to handle it. If you cannot agree, ask the bank whether they can hold the funds while you sort it out, or whether they will return the money to both account holders equally.
If the bank will not close your account
Some banks may refuse to close an account if there are outstanding fees, pending transactions, or unresolved disputes. Ask the bank in writing what the specific reason is and what you need to do to resolve it. If the bank says you owe money, you can negotiate a payment plan or ask whether the fee can be waived.
If you believe the bank is wrongfully refusing to close your account, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or your state's banking regulator. You can also switch banks and simply stop using the old account — it will eventually be closed by the bank if there is no activity for a long period, though this can take months or years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my account hurt my credit score?
Closing a bank account does not directly affect your credit score because banks do not report account closures to credit bureaus. However, if you close an account and fail to redirect automatic payments, missed bills can be reported and damage your credit. Make sure to move all automatic payments before closure.
What if I close my account and then receive a check written to it?
The check will be rejected by the bank and returned to the sender. The sender will have to reissue the check to your new account. To avoid this, give people your new account number before you close the old one, or wait until you know all outstanding checks have cleared.
Can I reopen an account after I close it?
Most banks will let you reopen a closed account within a certain period, usually 30 to 90 days, without a new application. After that, you will have to open a new account. Ask your bank what their policy is before you close.
Do I have to close the account in person?
No. Most banks allow you to close an account by phone or online. You only need to visit a branch if the bank requires it, if you want to withdraw cash, or if there is a problem that needs in-person resolution.
What if the bank charged me a fee after I requested closure?
Ask the bank to reverse the fee, especially if it was charged after you requested closure or if it was not disclosed in advance. If the bank refuses, you can dispute the charge or file a complaint with your state's banking regulator or the CFPB.