How to close a Citizens Bank account

You can close a Citizens Bank account by calling their customer service line, visiting a branch in person, or using online banking if the option is available for your account type. Citizens does not charge a fee to close an account. The process takes a few minutes on the phone or in branch, though it may take several business days for the account to fully close and any pending transactions to clear.

Before you close, make sure you have moved any automatic payments or direct deposits to another account, withdrawn or transferred your remaining balance, and paid any outstanding checks or pending charges. Citizens will not close an account with a negative balance — you must bring it to zero or positive first.

Key Takeaways

  • Call Citizens Bank customer service at 1-800-922-9999 or visit a local branch to request account closure.
  • You must have a zero or positive balance before Citizens will close the account; if you owe money, you must pay it first.
  • Stop or redirect any automatic bill payments, direct deposits, or recurring transfers before closing to avoid missed payments or lost deposits.
  • The account closure itself takes minutes, but it may take 5 to 10 business days for the account to fully close and any pending transactions to settle.
  • Request written confirmation of closure for your records, especially if you had automatic payments linked to the account.

Steps to close your account by phone

Call Citizens Bank customer service at 1-800-922-9999. Have your account number and a form of identification ready. Tell the representative you want to close your account. They will ask you to confirm your identity and review any pending transactions or automatic payments tied to the account.

The representative will tell you the current balance and ask how you want to handle it — you can request a check, a transfer to another bank account, or a wire transfer. If you choose a check, it will be mailed to your address on file; if you choose a transfer, provide the routing and account number of the receiving bank. The representative will then process the closure request and give you a confirmation number.

Steps to close your account in person

Visit any Citizens Bank branch with a government-issued ID and your account number. Tell a teller you want to close the account. They will pull up your account, confirm the balance, and ask how you want to receive any remaining funds — by check, transfer, or cash withdrawal if the amount is reasonable.

The teller will process the closure and give you a receipt with a confirmation number. Ask for written confirmation of the closure in case you need it later for records or to dispute any charges that appear after the account is closed.

What to do before you close

Review your account for any automatic bill payments, subscription charges, or recurring transfers. Log into your Citizens online banking portal or call customer service to see a list of all automatic transactions. Cancel or redirect each one to your new bank account before closing, or contact each company directly to update your payment method.

Check for any pending direct deposits — if your paycheck or government benefits are set to deposit to this account, update your employer or benefits administrator with your new bank details. Pending deposits can take several days to process, and if the account is closed before they arrive, the money may be returned to the sender.

Make sure all outstanding checks have cleared. If you wrote checks that have not yet been cashed, wait until they clear or contact the recipients to cancel them. Closing an account with outstanding checks can cause those checks to bounce.

What happens to your debit card and checks

Your Citizens debit card will stop working once the account is closed, usually within 24 hours of closure. You do not need to do anything — the card will simply decline at checkout. If you want to destroy it sooner, cut it up or shred it.

Any blank checks you have will no longer work after the account closes. Destroy unused checks by shredding them or tearing them up. If you have already written checks that have not cleared, contact the recipients and ask them to use a different payment method, or wait until those checks clear before closing the account.

Timeline for full closure

The closure request itself is processed immediately when you call or visit a branch. However, the account may remain open for 5 to 10 business days while pending transactions settle. During this time, do not attempt to use the account — any new transactions may be declined or cause problems with the closure.

If you have pending direct deposits or automatic payments that were not redirected, they may still attempt to post during this window. Contact Citizens customer service if you see unexpected activity after you have requested closure, or if a payment you thought was redirected appears on the account.

If you have a negative balance

Citizens will not close an account if you owe money. If your account is negative — for example, due to overdraft fees or a returned deposit — you must bring the balance to zero or positive before closure. You can do this by transferring money from another account, depositing cash at a branch, or arranging a payment plan with Citizens.

Call customer service at 1-800-922-9999 to discuss your negative balance and payment options. Some overdraft fees can be waived or reduced if you explain the circumstances, though this is not may provide. Once the balance is settled, you can proceed with closure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my Citizens Bank account online?

Citizens does not currently offer account closure through their online banking portal for most account types. You must call 1-800-922-9999 or visit a branch in person. Some specialized accounts may have different closure procedures — ask customer service if you are unsure.

Will Citizens charge me to close my account?

No. Citizens does not charge a fee to close a checking or savings account. However, if you close the account before any promotional period ends, you may forfeit any bonus interest or promotional rate you were receiving.

What if I have a pending check that has not cleared?

Wait until the check clears before closing the account, or contact the recipient and ask them to use a different payment method. If you close the account with an outstanding check, the check will bounce when the recipient tries to cash it, and you may face overdraft or returned-check fees.

How long does it take to get my money after I close?

If you request a check, it will be mailed within 5 to 10 business days. If you request a transfer to another bank, it typically takes 1 to 3 business days depending on the receiving bank. If you withdraw cash in person, you receive it immediately.

Can I reopen a closed Citizens Bank account?

Yes, you can open a new Citizens Bank account at any time. However, you cannot reopen the exact same closed account — you will need to open a new one. If you closed the account due to a problem, contact customer service before opening a new account to discuss whether the issue can be resolved.