Call Regions customer service or visit a branch to close your account

Regions Bank does not offer account closure through its online banking portal or mobile app. You must either call their customer service line at 1-800-regions (1-800-734-4667) or walk into a local Regions branch with your ID. When you call or visit, tell them you want to close your checking account. They will ask for your account number and verify your identity, then process the closure on the spot or within one to two business days.

If you have checks outstanding or automatic payments set up, Regions will ask about them before closing. Outstanding checks can take weeks to clear after you close the account, so the bank may ask you to wait or may keep a small balance to cover them. Automatic payments and recurring transfers will stop once the account closes, so you should redirect those to a new account first.

You do not need to have a zero balance to close the account. If there is money left, Regions will send you a check or transfer it to another account you provide. If the account is overdrawn, you will need to pay the negative balance before closure.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 1-800-regions or visit a branch in person — online closure is not available.
  • Have your account number and ID ready when you contact Regions.
  • Stop or redirect automatic payments and recurring transfers before closing, because they will fail once the account is closed.
  • Outstanding checks can clear for weeks after closure, so ask Regions whether to wait or keep a small balance.
  • If money remains in the account, Regions will mail a check or transfer it to another bank account you name.

What to do with outstanding checks before closing

If you have written checks that have not yet cleared, closing your account creates a problem: those checks will bounce when they arrive at Regions after the account is closed. The person or business that deposited the check will be charged a fee, and you may face overdraft or returned-check fees as well.

Before you close, contact anyone you recently wrote a check to and ask whether they have deposited it yet. If they have not, ask them to wait or offer to pay them another way. If you are unsure who has cashed which checks, ask Regions how long they typically hold accounts open after closure — most banks keep them active for 30 to 90 days to allow outstanding checks to clear. You can request that Regions do the same.

If a check does bounce after closure, the recipient can contact Regions to report it, and you may be liable for the returned-check fee. Regions will send you notice of any activity on the closed account.

Stopping automatic payments and recurring transfers

Any automatic bill payments, subscription charges, or recurring transfers linked to your Regions checking account will fail once the account closes. This can result in late fees, service interruptions, or collection activity if a payment does not go through.

Log into your Regions online banking or mobile app and review your recent transactions to find all recurring charges. Common ones are utilities, insurance, loan payments, gym memberships, streaming services, and payroll deductions. For each one, either cancel the subscription or update the payment method to your new bank account before you close Regions.

If you are not sure whether a charge is recurring, contact the company directly and ask. It is faster than waiting for a payment to fail. Once you have redirected everything, wait at least one billing cycle to confirm that payments are going through on your new account before you close Regions.

How to handle remaining funds and overdrafts

If your Regions checking account has a positive balance when you close it, the bank will return the money to you. You can ask them to transfer it to another bank account (you will need to provide the routing number and account number), or they will mail you a check. A mailed check usually arrives within five to seven business days.

If your account is overdrawn — meaning you owe Regions money — you must pay the negative balance before they will close the account. You can do this by transferring funds from another account, depositing cash or a check at a branch, or arranging a payment over the phone with customer service. Once the overdraft is paid, the closure can proceed.

If you have unpaid fees or charges on the account, Regions may deduct them from any remaining balance. Ask the representative closing your account to confirm the final balance and how it will be returned to you.

What happens to your debit card and checks

Your Regions debit card will stop working once the account is closed, usually within one business day. If you have physical checks remaining from your checkbook, they become invalid after closure. Do not throw them away immediately — keep them for your records in case a check you wrote clears after the account closes and you need proof of the transaction.

If you have a safety deposit box at Regions, closing your checking account does not automatically close the box. You will need to empty it and close it separately, either in person or by contacting the branch. Ask about any rental fees owed on the box.

Timing and what to expect after closure

Account closure typically takes one to two business days after you call or visit a branch. Regions will send you a confirmation letter in the mail within one to two weeks. Keep this letter for your records.

If you set up a new checking account with another bank before closing Regions, you can redirect your direct deposit and automatic payments immediately. This prevents any gap in service. If you are switching banks, give yourself at least one week to test the new account and confirm that all payments are processing correctly before you close Regions.

After closure, you can no longer access the account online or by phone. If you need a copy of old statements or transaction history, request them before you close or ask Regions to mail them to you after closure. Regions typically keeps records for seven years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my Regions account if I have a negative balance?

No. You must pay off any overdraft or negative balance before Regions will close the account. You can pay by transferring funds from another account, depositing cash or a check at a branch, or arranging a payment by phone with customer service.

Will closing my Regions account hurt my credit score?

Closing a checking account does not directly affect your credit score because checking accounts are not reported to credit bureaus. However, if you have an overdraft that goes unpaid, Regions may report it to a collection agency, which will harm your credit.

How long do I have to wait for my remaining balance after I close?

If Regions transfers your balance to another bank account, it usually takes one to three business days. If they mail you a check, it typically arrives within five to seven business days. Ask which method they are using when you close the account.

What if I close my account but a check clears after closure?

Regions may honor the check if the account is still open or if they are holding it for outstanding items. If the check bounces, the recipient will be notified and charged a fee. You may also face a returned-check fee. Contact Regions immediately if this happens.

Do I need to close my Regions debit card separately?

No. Your debit card is linked to the checking account and will stop working automatically once the account closes. You do not need to take any separate action to deactivate it.