Getting current on a Maze Bank account means paying what you owe plus any fees, then staying on schedule

If your Maze Bank account is behind, the bank will charge late fees and may freeze access to your funds or close the account entirely. The fastest way forward is to contact Maze Bank directly, find out the exact amount owed (including fees and interest), and pay it in full if you can. If you cannot pay everything at once, ask whether the bank will accept a partial payment or set up a payment plan. Some banks will work with you; others will not. The sooner you contact them, the more options you typically have.

Maze Bank accounts can fall behind for different reasons—a missed automatic transfer, insufficient funds, or a payment that bounced. Each situation affects what the bank will do next and what your options are. The key is to act before the account is closed or sent to collections, because recovering from that is much harder.

Key Takeaways

  • Call Maze Bank's customer service line to find out the exact amount you owe, including late fees and any interest charges.
  • Late fees typically range from $25 to $35 per occurrence, and the bank may charge multiple fees if your account has been behind for weeks.
  • Paying in full stops additional fees from accruing and prevents the account from being closed or reported to collections.
  • If you cannot pay the full amount, ask the bank whether it will accept a payment plan or partial payment before the account is closed.
  • Once an account is closed or sent to collections, you will need to pay the full balance plus collection costs before the account can be reopened.

Find out exactly what you owe

Call Maze Bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your account statement. Have your account number and PIN ready. Ask the representative for the total amount owed, broken down by the original debt, late fees, and any interest charges. Write down the exact figure and the date you spoke with them.

The amount owed includes not just the negative balance but also every late fee the bank has charged since the account first went behind. If your account has been negative for several weeks, you may have multiple fees stacked on top of each other. Knowing the full number before you make a payment prevents surprises later.

Pay the full amount if possible

Paying the entire balance in one transaction stops the account from falling further behind and prevents additional late fees from accruing. It also stops the bank from closing the account or reporting it to collections. You can pay online through your Maze Bank account, by phone with a customer service representative, or in person at a Maze Bank branch if one is near you.

If you pay online or by phone, the payment may take one to two business days to post to your account. Ask the representative when the payment will be reflected so you know when your account will be current again. If the account is very close to being closed, paying by phone with a representative on the line is faster because they can document that you made the payment before the account was terminated.

Negotiate a payment plan if you cannot pay in full

If you do not have the full amount right now, call Maze Bank and explain your situation. Ask whether the bank will accept a payment plan—a series of smaller payments over time—or a partial payment now with the rest later. Some banks will do this; others will not. The bank is more likely to work with you if you call before the account is closed, so do not wait.

If the bank agrees to a payment plan, get the agreement in writing or ask the representative to send you a confirmation email with the payment dates and amounts. This protects you if there is a dispute later about what was promised. Make every payment on time, because missing a payment on the plan can result in the account being closed anyway.

Understand what happens if the account is closed

If you do not pay or reach an agreement with the bank, Maze Bank will close the account. Once closed, you cannot use the account to receive deposits or make withdrawals. The bank may also report the account to a collections agency, which will then try to collect the debt from you. At that point, you owe not just the original amount but also collection fees and possibly interest.

If the account is reported to collections, you will need to pay the full balance to the collections agency or negotiate a settlement with them. Paying the debt does not automatically reopen the account—you would need to open a new account with Maze Bank, and the bank may refuse to do so if the previous account was closed due to nonpayment. Some banks use a system called ChexSystems that tracks closed accounts, and opening a new account elsewhere may be difficult until the debt is resolved.

Prevent the account from falling behind again

Once your account is current, set up automatic reminders or alerts so you do not miss a payment next time. Many banks allow you to set up low-balance alerts that notify you by text or email when your account drops below a certain amount. You can also link a backup account or savings account to your Maze Bank account so that if a payment bounces, you have another source of funds to cover it.

If the original problem was a missed automatic transfer, check your account settings to make sure the transfer is still scheduled and that it is set for the correct date and amount. If the problem was insufficient funds, consider whether you need to adjust your budget or set aside money before the payment is due.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Maze Bank wait before closing an account that is behind?

This varies by bank and by the amount owed. Most banks will close an account after 60 to 90 days of nonpayment, but some may close it sooner if the negative balance is large. Call Maze Bank to find out how much time you have before the account is closed.

Will paying the debt remove it from my credit report?

Paying the debt stops additional damage, but it does not erase the record of the late payment or closed account. The negative mark will remain on your credit report for seven years from the date of the first missed payment, though its impact on your credit score decreases over time.

Can I open a new Maze Bank account if my old one was closed?

Maze Bank may refuse to open a new account if your previous account was closed due to nonpayment and the debt was not resolved. You can ask the bank directly, or you can check your ChexSystems report to see whether the closed account is listed there. If it is, you will need to pay the debt first.

What if I cannot afford to pay even a small amount right now?

Contact Maze Bank and explain your situation honestly. Some banks have hardship programs or will pause collection efforts temporarily if you are experiencing financial hardship. You can also look into local financial counseling services, which may help you create a plan to pay the debt over time.

Does paying a collections agency remove the debt from my bank account?

Paying a collections agency settles the debt with the agency, but it does not reopen your Maze Bank account. You would need to contact Maze Bank separately to discuss reopening an account, and the bank may still refuse. Get a receipt from the collections agency showing the debt was paid in full.