You can close most Fifth Third accounts online through your digital banking portal, but the process depends on your account type and whether you have outstanding balances or linked services.
Fifth Third offers online account closure for checking and savings accounts through their website or mobile app. The exact steps vary: some accounts close immediately after you submit the request, while others require a phone call to confirm. If your account has a balance, you'll need to withdraw or transfer the money first. Accounts with linked services—like overdraft protection or automatic bill pay—may require you to cancel those connections before closure goes through.
The fastest route is logging into your Fifth Third online banking account and looking for account settings or account management options. If you don't see a closure option there, you'll need to call Fifth Third's customer service at the number on the back of your debit card or on your statement. Some account types, particularly business accounts or those with outstanding fees, cannot close online and require a phone call or branch visit.
Key Takeaways
- Most Fifth Third checking and savings accounts can be closed through online banking, but you must have a zero balance first.
- Linked services like overdraft protection and automatic payments need to be turned off before your account will close.
- If you don't see a closure option in your account settings, call Fifth Third customer service to close by phone.
- Business accounts and accounts with outstanding fees typically require a phone call or in-person visit to close.
- After closure, keep your final statement for your records and confirm any pending transactions have cleared.
Steps to close your account online
Log into Fifth Third's online banking portal using your username and password. Navigate to your account settings—this is usually labeled "Account Settings," "Manage Accounts," or "Account Management" depending on whether you're using the website or mobile app. Look for an option to close or deactivate your account.
Before you can proceed, you must have a zero balance. If your account has money in it, transfer the funds to another bank account or withdraw the cash at a Fifth Third branch or ATM. If your account is overdrawn, you'll need to deposit money to bring it to zero. Fifth Third will not close an account with a negative balance until the overdraft is paid.
Once your balance is zero, select the closure option and confirm your request. Some accounts close immediately; others may take one to three business days. You should receive a confirmation email with your closure date. Keep this email for your records.
What to do if the online option isn't available
Not all Fifth Third accounts can close online. Business accounts, money market accounts, and accounts with certain features may require a phone call or branch visit. If you log in and don't see a closure option, call Fifth Third's customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your most recent statement.
When you call, have your account number ready. The representative will verify your identity, confirm your zero balance, and process the closure over the phone. This typically takes five to ten minutes. Ask for a confirmation number and note the closure date they provide.
If you prefer to close your account in person, visit any Fifth Third branch with a valid ID and your debit card. A teller can close your account on the spot, provided your balance is zero and you have no outstanding holds or pending transactions.
Canceling linked services before closure
If your Fifth Third account has overdraft protection, automatic bill payments, or transfers set up to other accounts, you must cancel these before the account closes. Log into your online banking and navigate to the bill pay or transfers section. Cancel any recurring payments and delete any linked external accounts.
For overdraft protection, go to your account settings and turn off the feature. This prevents Fifth Third from trying to pull money from another account after your primary account is closed. If you have automatic deposits set up—such as direct deposit from your employer—contact your employer's payroll department to redirect your paycheck to a different account before you close.
Check your account for the past 30 days to make sure no pending transactions are still processing. If you see a transaction that hasn't cleared, wait for it to post before closing the account. Closing an account with pending transactions can cause those payments to bounce or be rejected.
What happens after your account closes
Once your Fifth Third account is closed, you cannot use your debit card, write checks, or access the account online. Any checks you've written that haven't cleared will be returned unpaid. If someone tries to deposit a check into your closed account, the bank will reject it.
Fifth Third will send you a final statement showing all activity up to the closure date. This statement will arrive by mail within one to two weeks. Keep this statement for your tax records and as proof that the account is closed, especially if you need to dispute any charges that post after closure.
If you had automatic bill payments set up, those payments will stop. Contact your creditors and service providers to update your payment method before your account closes, or you risk missing a payment deadline. This is particularly important for mortgage, car loan, and utility payments.
Accounts with outstanding fees or negative balances
If your Fifth Third account has outstanding fees or a negative balance, you must settle this before closure. Log into your account and look for any listed fees or charges. If you see fees you believe are incorrect, contact Fifth Third to dispute them before paying.
To bring a negative balance to zero, deposit money into the account. You can do this online through a transfer from another bank, at a Fifth Third ATM, or at a branch. Once the balance is zero, proceed with closure as normal.
If Fifth Third has charged you fees for insufficient funds or other reasons and you disagree with them, you can request a refund before closing. Call customer service and explain your situation. Fifth Third may reverse one or two fees as a courtesy, though this is not may provide. Get the representative's name and a confirmation number if they agree to reverse fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for my Fifth Third account to close after I request it online?
Most accounts close within one to three business days after you submit your request online. You'll receive a confirmation email with the exact closure date. If you don't receive confirmation within 24 hours, log back in or call customer service to confirm the request went through.
Can I close my Fifth Third account if I still have pending transactions?
No. You should wait for all pending transactions to post before closing. If you close with pending transactions, those payments may bounce or be rejected. Check your account activity for the past 30 days and wait until everything has cleared.
What if I close my account but then receive a check made out to that account?
The check will be returned unpaid by Fifth Third. You'll need to contact the person or company who sent it and ask them to reissue the check to your new account. This is why it's important to update your payment information with employers, creditors, and service providers before you close.
Do I need to visit a branch in person to close my Fifth Third account?
Not usually. Most checking and savings accounts can close online or by phone. Business accounts and certain specialty accounts may require an in-person visit, but Fifth Third will tell you this when you attempt to close online or when you call customer service.
Will closing my Fifth Third account hurt my credit score?
Closing a checking or savings account does not directly affect your credit score. Credit scores are based on credit accounts like credit cards and loans, not deposit accounts. However, if you close your account and then bounce a check or miss a payment because you didn't update your payment method elsewhere, that could indirectly harm your credit.