Call Fifth Third's customer service line or visit a branch in person
The fastest way to close a Fifth Third account is to call their customer service number at 1-800-555-2108 and ask to speak with someone about account closure. Have your account number ready. They will ask why you are closing, verify your identity, and walk you through next steps on the phone. If you prefer to do this in person, visit any Fifth Third branch with your ID and debit card.
Fifth Third does not charge a fee to close an account, but they may ask if you want to keep any other accounts open with them. Be clear about which account you want closed. If you have automatic payments or direct deposits set up, the bank will ask you to confirm those are stopped or redirected before they process the closure.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-800-555-2108 or visit a branch to close your account; Fifth Third does not charge a closure fee.
- Stop all automatic payments and direct deposits before closing, or redirect them to another account.
- Request a final statement and confirmation of closure in writing to have proof the account is closed.
- If you have a negative balance or outstanding checks, Fifth Third will not close the account until those are resolved.
- Closing takes one to three business days after you initiate the request, though some pending transactions may take longer to clear.
Stop automatic payments and direct deposits before you call
Before you contact Fifth Third, go through your account and identify any recurring charges or deposits tied to that account. Log into your Fifth Third online banking or mobile app and look at the last two months of transactions to spot subscriptions, insurance payments, utility bills, or other automatic transfers.
Contact each company or employer directly to redirect those payments to a different account or cancel them. Do not rely on the bank to handle this for you. If an automatic payment tries to go through after the account is closed, it will be rejected, and the company billing you may charge a fee or report you as delinquent.
Direct deposits from your employer are especially important to redirect. Contact your payroll or HR department and provide them with your new account number and routing number if you are moving to another bank. This usually takes one payroll cycle to take effect.
Withdraw or transfer your remaining balance
If you have money in the account, you have two options: withdraw it in cash at a Fifth Third branch or ATM, or transfer it to another bank account. To transfer electronically, log into your Fifth Third account and use their transfer tool to move funds to an external account. This usually takes one to three business days.
If you withdraw cash, do it before you call to close the account. Fifth Third will not close an account with a positive balance until you have removed the funds or authorized them to transfer elsewhere. Keep your receipt or take a screenshot of the withdrawal confirmation.
What happens if you have outstanding checks or a negative balance
If you have written checks that have not yet cleared, Fifth Third will hold the account open until those checks are processed. This can take up to 30 days depending on when the checks are deposited. You can ask the bank to estimate when the last check will clear, but you cannot force closure before that date.
If your account is overdrawn or negative, you must pay the balance in full before Fifth Third will close it. This includes any overdraft fees the bank has charged. You can pay this amount in person at a branch, by phone, or by transferring funds from another account.
Request written confirmation of closure
After you have closed the account, ask Fifth Third to send you a written confirmation. This document shows the account number, the date it was closed, and the final balance. You can request this by phone, in person, or through your online banking portal. Fifth Third typically sends it within five to seven business days.
Keep this confirmation for your records. If you are closing the account because of fraud or a dispute, this letter is proof that the account no longer exists and that you took action to stop it. If a company continues to try to charge the closed account, you can show this letter as evidence.
Closing takes one to three business days
Fifth Third does not close accounts instantly. After you initiate closure, the bank needs time to process pending transactions, clear any outstanding checks, and remove the account from their system. This typically takes one to three business days.
During this window, do not attempt to use the account. Your debit card will stop working, and any transactions you try to make may be declined or rejected. If you have set up a new account elsewhere, make sure direct deposits and automatic payments are already redirected before the closure is complete.
If you want to reopen the account later
Fifth Third allows you to reopen a closed account within a certain timeframe, though the exact window varies. If you close an account and then change your mind within 30 days, contact the bank and ask if they can reopen it. After 30 days, the account is permanently closed and you will need to open a new account instead.
Reopening an account is faster than opening a new one, but it is not may provide. The bank will review your account history and may decline if there were disputes or fraud. It is easier to keep the account open if you are unsure, or to open a new account if you want a fresh start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Fifth Third charge me to close my account?
No. Fifth Third does not charge a fee to close a checking or savings account. However, if your account is overdrawn, you must pay the negative balance and any overdraft fees before closure is processed.
Can I close my account online without calling?
Fifth Third does not offer full account closure through their website or app. You must call customer service at 1-800-555-2108 or visit a branch in person to initiate closure. Some banks allow online closure, but Fifth Third requires direct contact.
What happens to my debit card when I close the account?
Your debit card will stop working once the account is closed. If you have a new account, request a new debit card from that bank before you close the Fifth Third account. Do not throw away the old card; cut it up or shred it to prevent misuse.
How long do I have to withdraw my money before the account closes?
You can withdraw or transfer your money at any time before closure is complete. Once you call to close the account, you have one to three business days to remove any remaining funds. After that, the account is closed and you cannot access it.
What if I forgot to stop a subscription before closing?
If a company tries to charge your closed Fifth Third account, the transaction will be rejected. Contact the company directly and provide your new account information. If they charged you a fee for the failed payment, ask them to waive it and explain that you closed the account.