Most banks let you close an account through their website or app, but the process and what happens to your money varies by bank
You can close many checking and savings accounts online by logging into your bank's website or mobile app, finding the account settings or customer service section, and selecting the option to close the account. Some banks complete the closure immediately; others require you to call or visit a branch to confirm. Before you start, move any remaining balance to another account or request a check, because the bank will not hold your money indefinitely after closure.
The exact steps depend on which bank you use. Large national banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo offer online closure for most accounts. Credit unions and smaller regional banks may require a phone call or in-person visit. If your account is overdrawn or has a pending dispute, the bank may not let you close it online and will direct you to call instead.
Key Takeaways
- Log into your bank's website or app, navigate to account settings or help, and look for a close account or deactivate account option—the exact location differs by bank.
- Move your remaining balance to another account before closing, because banks do not hold money in closed accounts and may charge fees if a balance sits unclaimed.
- If your account has an outstanding balance owed to the bank, an active dispute, or pending transactions, you may not be able to close it online and will need to call.
- After closure, the bank will send you written confirmation and may take one to three business days to process the closure on their end, even if the online tool says it is complete.
- Set up direct deposit and bill pay with your new account before closing the old one, so payments do not bounce or go to a closed account.
Steps to close your account through your bank's website or app
Start by logging into your bank account online or through the mobile app. Look for a menu labeled "Account Settings," "Manage Account," "Help & Support," or "Customer Service." The exact wording varies by bank. Once you find it, search for options like "Close Account," "Deactivate Account," or "Close This Account."
Click or tap the closure option. The bank will usually ask you to confirm your identity and may ask why you are closing the account—this is optional information and does not affect whether you can close it. Read any warnings about pending transactions, automatic payments, or outstanding balances. If the bank shows any of these, you may need to resolve them first or call to close the account instead.
If the online tool allows you to proceed, review the final confirmation screen. Some banks show you the account number being closed and the date the closure takes effect. Take a screenshot or note this information. Click "Confirm" or "Complete Closure." The bank will usually send you an email confirmation within minutes.
What to do with your money before closing
Before you start the closure process, transfer any remaining balance out of the account. Log into your bank's transfer tool and move the money to another account you own at the same bank or a different bank. This usually takes one to three business days if you are transferring to another bank. If you want the money immediately, request a cashier's check or have the bank mail you a regular check to your address on file.
Do not leave money in the account after closure. Once an account is closed, the bank stops processing transactions on it. If a small balance remains, the bank may charge a monthly fee until the balance reaches zero, or they may send the money to your state's unclaimed property program after a set period—usually one to three years depending on your state. Retrieving money from unclaimed property is slower and more complicated than simply moving it yourself.
When you cannot close your account online
If your account has an outstanding balance you owe the bank—such as overdraft fees or a negative balance—the bank will not let you close it online. You must call the bank, pay the balance, and then close the account. The bank's online tool will usually tell you this and provide a phone number.
Active disputes, pending fraud claims, or transactions still processing can also block online closure. If you see a message saying you cannot close the account, call the bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your account statement. A representative can tell you what is holding up the closure and what you need to do to resolve it.
Some banks also require you to close certain account types—such as money market accounts or accounts with special terms—by phone or in person. If the online option does not appear for your account, call the bank rather than trying a different method.
What happens after you close your account
After you submit the closure request online, the bank usually sends you an email confirmation within minutes. This confirmation includes the account number, the date you requested closure, and the date the closure takes effect. Keep this email for your records.
The actual closure on the bank's end can take one to three business days. During this time, the account still exists but is marked as closed. Do not attempt to use the account for payments or transfers. Any automatic payments or direct deposits set up to go to this account will fail or bounce.
Once the closure is complete, the bank will send you a final written confirmation by mail. This letter confirms the account is closed and shows the final balance. If you requested a check for any remaining balance, it will arrive separately, usually within one to two weeks.
Redirect automatic payments and direct deposit before closing
Before you close the account, change the bank account information for any automatic payments or direct deposits. Log into each service—your employer's payroll system, utility companies, subscription services, loan servicers—and update the account number and routing number to your new bank account.
If you miss updating a payment and it tries to post to your closed account, it will be rejected. The payment may bounce, triggering a late fee from the creditor. Direct deposits to a closed account are typically returned to the sender, which can delay your paycheck by several days while your employer reprocesses it.
Give yourself at least one week after updating all automatic payments and direct deposits before you close the account. This gives you time to catch any you may have missed and to confirm that new payments post to the correct account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen a bank account I just closed?
Most banks allow you to reopen a closed account within 30 to 90 days by calling customer service or visiting a branch. After that window, you will need to open a new account. If the account was closed due to fraud or repeated overdrafts, the bank may refuse to reopen it or to open a new account for you.
What if I close my account but money is still owed to me?
If a deposit or refund posts to your closed account after closure, the bank will typically return it to the sender. Contact the bank that sent the money and ask them to reissue it to your new account. Keep your closure confirmation email so you can show the bank when the account closed.
Do I need to close my account in person if I opened it in person?
No. The way you opened the account does not determine how you close it. If the online closure tool is available for your account type, you can use it. Only if the online option is blocked or unavailable do you need to call or visit a branch.
Will closing my account hurt my credit score?
Closing a bank account does not directly affect your credit score because banks do not report checking or savings account closures to credit bureaus. However, if you close an account with an outstanding balance and do not pay it, that debt can be reported and damage your score.
How long does it take for a closed account to stop appearing in my online banking?
Most banks remove closed accounts from your active account list within one to three business days. You may still be able to view the closed account in your history or archived accounts for record-keeping purposes, but it will not appear in your main dashboard.