The fastest way to close a US Bank account
Call US Bank customer service at 1-800-872-2657 and tell them you want to close your account. Have your account number ready. They will ask why you are closing (you do not have to give a detailed reason), confirm there are no pending transactions, and walk you through the final steps. The account closes immediately, though it can take 5 to 7 business days for any remaining balance to reach you by check or transfer.
If you have direct deposits or automatic payments set up, US Bank will ask you to redirect them before closing. If you do not, those transactions will fail after the account closes, which can trigger overdraft fees at the other end or cause a bill payment to bounce. Stopping by a branch in person also works, but calling is faster because you do not have to wait for an appointment or travel.
Do not simply stop using the account and assume it closes on its own. Dormant accounts can trigger inactivity fees, and US Bank may eventually close it, but that takes months. Closing it yourself gives you control over the timeline and ensures your money is not sitting in limbo.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-800-872-2657 to close your account by phone, which is faster than visiting a branch.
- Have your account number ready and redirect any direct deposits or automatic payments before closing.
- US Bank will mail a check for any remaining balance if you do not arrange a transfer to another account.
- The account closes immediately, but the final balance may take 5 to 7 business days to arrive.
- Leaving an account open without using it can result in inactivity fees, so close it intentionally rather than abandoning it.
What to do with direct deposits and automatic payments before closing
Any paycheck, tax refund, or other deposit going into your US Bank account will bounce back to the sender after the account closes. The same happens with automatic bill payments or transfers you have set up. Before you call to close, log into your US Bank account online or call the customer service line and change the destination for each one.
For direct deposits, contact your employer's payroll department or the organization sending the deposit (Social Security, a pension fund, your state tax authority) and provide them with your new account number at a different bank. For automatic payments, log into each biller's website—your utility company, credit card issuer, loan servicer, insurance company—and update the account there. Some billers let you change it online; others require a phone call.
If you miss one and a payment bounces, the sender usually retries within a few days. But if it fails a second time, some billers will stop trying and mark your account as delinquent. Check your new account for any returned deposits in the week after closing, and contact the sender to resubmit if needed.
How to move your money out before closing
If your US Bank account has money in it, you have two options: transfer it to another account, or have US Bank mail you a check. A transfer is faster and safer. Log into your US Bank account online, go to the transfer or move money section, and send the balance to another bank account in your name. This usually takes 1 to 3 business days.
If you do not have another account yet, you can still close the US Bank account and ask them to mail the balance to you as a check. Tell the customer service representative your mailing address when you call to close. The check will arrive in 5 to 7 business days. Write down the check number and amount in case it gets lost in the mail; US Bank can issue a replacement if you report it missing after two weeks.
If your balance is very small—under $25—some people choose to leave it and let US Bank close the account. But if there is any meaningful amount, move it or request the check. Do not assume the money will follow you automatically.
Closing a joint account or account with a co-owner
If the account is held jointly with another person, both of you must agree to close it. Call US Bank and they will tell you whether both owners need to be on the call or whether one person can authorize it. Some banks require both signatures; others allow one owner to close on behalf of both if the account is in good standing.
If you and the co-owner disagree about closing, you cannot unilaterally shut it down. Your option is to remove yourself as an owner, which converts it to a single-owner account in the other person's name. Call US Bank and ask about removing yourself; they will guide you through it. The other owner keeps the account and any money in it.
If the account is tied to a trust or a business, closing is more complex. Call US Bank and ask what documentation they need—usually a copy of the trust document or business license. Do not assume you can close it the same way you would a personal account.
What happens to pending checks and outstanding transactions
If you have written checks that have not cleared yet, those checks will bounce after your account closes. Before closing, wait for all outstanding checks to clear, or contact the recipients and ask them to destroy the checks. You can also call US Bank and ask them to hold the account open for a specific number of days to let checks clear.
The same applies to any pending transfers or payments you initiated but that have not posted yet. Log into your account and cancel anything that has not gone through. If you are unsure whether something is still pending, call customer service and ask them to review your recent activity with you.
Once the account is closed, US Bank will not process new transactions against it. Any check or payment that arrives after closing will be returned to the sender marked "account closed." This can damage your credit if it is a loan payment or utility bill, so make sure everything is cleared before you hang up the phone.
Fees and charges before closing
US Bank may charge a monthly maintenance fee right up until the day the account closes. If you close mid-month, you may still owe a prorated fee. When you call to close, ask the representative whether any fees will be charged between now and the closing date, and whether they will waive the final month's fee as a courtesy.
If your account has been overdrawn or has had returned checks, those fees stay on your record even after closing. They do not disappear. If you owe US Bank money, they may deduct it from your final balance before sending you the remainder. Ask the representative to confirm the exact amount you will receive.
Some accounts—like those with overdraft protection or linked savings accounts—may have additional terms. Ask US Bank whether closing the checking account affects any other accounts you have with them, such as a savings account or credit card.
Closing a US Bank account online or by mail
US Bank does not offer account closure through their website or mobile app. You must call customer service or visit a branch in person. Phone is the fastest option. If you cannot call during business hours, you can visit any US Bank branch during their operating hours and ask a teller to close the account for you.
Closing by mail is not a standard option, but if you have a specific reason you cannot call or visit, contact US Bank and ask whether they will accept a written request. They may ask you to sign and notarize a letter authorizing closure. This route takes much longer—usually 2 to 3 weeks—so use it only if calling or visiting is truly impossible.
If you are closing because you are moving out of the country or have other special circumstances, mention that when you call. US Bank may have specific procedures or requirements for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my US Bank account hurt my credit?
Closing a checking or savings account does not directly affect your credit score. Credit bureaus do not track deposit accounts, only credit accounts like loans and credit cards. However, if you close the account before paying off an overdraft or fee, that unpaid balance could be reported and damage your credit.
What if I have a US Bank credit card tied to my checking account?
Closing your checking account does not close your credit card. The two are separate. Your credit card will continue to work, and your bill will still arrive. Make sure you have a way to pay the credit card bill after you close the checking account—either set up a payment from your new bank or arrange automatic payments through the credit card company itself.
Can I reopen a US Bank account after I close it?
Yes, you can open a new account with US Bank at any time after closing. However, if you closed the account because of overdrafts, bounced checks, or other problems, US Bank may review your history and decline to open a new account. If that happens, you may need to wait 6 to 12 months before trying again, or they may ask you to pay any outstanding fees first.
How long does it take for my final balance to arrive after closing?
If you request a check, it takes 5 to 7 business days to arrive by mail. If you arrange a transfer to another bank account, it typically takes 1 to 3 business days. The exact timeline depends on your bank and the postal service. If your check does not arrive within 10 business days, contact US Bank with the check number and amount.
What if I close my account but forget to redirect a direct deposit?
The deposit will be returned to the sender—your employer, the government, or whoever is sending it. They will usually retry within a few days. Contact them immediately with your new account information so they can resubmit the deposit. If it fails a second time, some senders stop trying, so follow up quickly.