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. Before you do, make sure any automatic payments or direct deposits tied to that account are moved to another account or stopped. Pay off any outstanding balance or fees, withdraw remaining funds, and confirm the account is fully closed. The bank will send you written confirmation, usually within a few days.
The process itself is straightforward, but the timing matters. If you close an account while money is still flowing in or out, payments can bounce, direct deposits can fail, and you may face overdraft fees on an account you no longer use. Plan the closure around your pay cycle and bill due dates.
Key Takeaways
- Stop or redirect all automatic payments and direct deposits before closing the account, or they will fail and may trigger overdraft fees.
- Withdraw or transfer your remaining balance and pay any outstanding fees so the account can close with a zero balance.
- Contact your bank by phone, in person, or online to request closure, and ask for written confirmation once it is complete.
- Account closure usually takes three to five business days, but some banks may take longer if there are pending transactions.
- If you have a joint account, both account holders typically must agree to close it, depending on your bank's policy.
Stop automatic payments and direct deposits first
Before you tell the bank to close the account, identify every payment and deposit connected to it. Log into your account online or call your bank to see what is set up. Look for automatic bill payments (utilities, insurance, subscriptions, loan payments), paycheck direct deposits, tax refund deposits, and any other recurring transfers.
For each automatic payment, log into the biller's website or call them directly and change the payment method or account number. Do not rely on the bank to stop these for you—if a payment tries to go through after closure, it will bounce and the biller may charge you a returned-payment fee. For direct deposits, contact your employer's payroll department or the organization sending the deposit and provide your new account number at least one pay cycle before you close the old account.
Once you have redirected everything, wait at least one full pay cycle to confirm that deposits and payments are going to the right place. Then close the account.
Withdraw your balance and settle any fees
Withdraw all remaining money from the account or transfer it to another account you own. You can do this at an ATM, through an online transfer, or by visiting a branch. If the account has a negative balance—meaning you owe the bank money—you must pay that amount before closure. This can happen if overdraft fees have accumulated or if a recent transaction cleared after you thought the account was empty.
Ask your bank whether there are any outstanding fees or charges on the account. Some banks charge a monthly maintenance fee that may not appear until the statement closes. If there are fees, pay them before you request closure. A bank will not close an account with an outstanding balance.
Contact your bank to request closure
Call your bank's customer service line, visit a branch in person, or use their website or mobile app to request account closure. Have your account number ready. The bank will ask why you are closing (they do not need a detailed reason—"I no longer need this account" is sufficient) and may try to keep you as a customer by offering incentives. You can decline.
If you are closing the account in person, bring a photo ID. If you are calling or using online channels, the bank will verify your identity by asking security questions or requesting information from your account. Once you have confirmed the closure request, ask the bank representative for a confirmation number and the expected closure date.
Request written confirmation of the closure. Some banks send this by mail; others provide it immediately online. Keep this confirmation for your records in case there are questions later about whether the account was closed.
What happens during the waiting period
Most banks close accounts within three to five business days of your request. During this time, the account remains open but inactive. If a payment or deposit tries to post, it may still go through, so do not assume the account is closed until the bank confirms it.
If you have pending transactions—a check you wrote that has not cleared, a debit card charge that has not posted yet—the bank may hold the account open longer until those transactions settle. Ask the bank how long pending items typically take to clear so you know when it is truly safe to close.
Closing a joint account
If the account is held jointly with another person, both account holders usually must consent to closure. Contact your bank to confirm their policy. Some banks allow one person to close a joint account unilaterally; others require both signatures or both people to be present.
If you and the other account holder disagree about closure, the bank will not close the account without both parties' written consent. If you need to remove yourself from a joint account without closing it entirely, ask the bank whether you can be removed as an authorized user while the other person keeps the account open.
After the account is closed
Once the bank confirms closure, the account number becomes inactive and cannot be used for deposits or withdrawals. If you still have a debit card or checks linked to that account, destroy them or cut them up so they cannot be used accidentally.
Keep your closure confirmation letter for at least one year. If a payment bounces or a deposit fails after closure, you will need proof that you closed the account on a specific date to dispute any resulting fees with the biller or your employer.
If you closed the account because of fraud or unauthorized activity, also report it to the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov. This creates an official record and may help if fraudulent charges appear later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen an account after I close it?
Yes, but it depends on the bank and why you closed it. If you closed it in good standing, you can usually open a new account with the same bank. If the account was closed due to fraud or repeated overdrafts, the bank may refuse to open a new account for you. Ask your bank about their policy before you close.
What if a payment bounces after I close the account?
Contact the biller immediately and provide proof of the closure date. Ask them to resubmit the payment to your new account. You may be able to dispute any returned-payment fees if you can show you redirected the payment before closure. Keep your bank's closure confirmation handy.
Do I need to close accounts I am not using?
You do not have to, but inactive accounts can accumulate fees, expose you to fraud if the account information is compromised, and clutter your financial records. If you have not used an account in over a year and do not plan to, closing it is usually the cleaner choice.
Will closing an account hurt my credit score?
Closing a checking or savings account does not directly affect your credit score because these accounts do not appear on your credit report. However, if the account has an outstanding negative balance that goes to collections, that can hurt your score. Pay any fees or balances before closure.
How long does it take for a closed account to stop showing up online?
Most banks remove closed accounts from your online banking dashboard within a few days to a week. Some banks keep them visible for 30 to 90 days for your records. If an account remains visible after 30 days, contact the bank to confirm it was actually closed.