Most banks let you close an account through their website or app, but the process varies by bank and account type
You can close many checking and savings accounts online without visiting a branch or calling customer service. The exact steps depend on your bank's platform and whether you have outstanding checks, automatic payments, or a balance to move. Some banks require you to close accounts by phone or in person if you have a negative balance, pending transactions, or linked services like credit cards or investment accounts.
Before you start, move any remaining money to another account, set up redirects for automatic payments, and wait for any pending deposits or withdrawals to clear. This usually takes one to three business days. Once your account is truly empty and all transactions have settled, you can proceed with the closure through your bank's website or mobile app.
Key Takeaways
- Log into your bank's website or app, find the account settings or customer service section, and look for a close account or deactivate account option.
- Transfer your remaining balance to another account before closing, because most banks will not close an account with money still in it.
- Cancel or update any automatic bill payments, direct deposits, or recurring transfers linked to the account you are closing.
- Some banks require you to call or visit a branch if your account is overdrawn, has pending transactions, or is linked to credit products.
- After closure, keep your account number and routing number for your records in case you need to dispute a transaction or recover funds later.
Steps to close your account through the bank's website or app
Log into your online banking account using your username and password. Navigate to the account settings, profile, or customer service section—this is usually found in a menu labeled "Settings," "My Accounts," "Account Management," or "Help & Support." Look for an option that says "Close Account," "Deactivate Account," "Close This Account," or "Request Account Closure."
Click that option and follow the prompts. The bank will ask you to confirm your identity, select which account you want to close, and may ask why you are closing it. Some banks require you to enter a verification code sent to your phone or email. Once you confirm, the bank will show you a summary of the closure request and may give you a confirmation number. Save or screenshot this number for your records.
The account will typically close within one to five business days. You will receive a confirmation email or letter with the closure date. If the bank does not close the account within a week, contact customer service to check the status.
What to do with your remaining balance
Before you close the account, transfer any money in it to another bank account you control. Log into your online banking, find the transfer or move money option, and select the account you want to close as the source. Enter the amount you want to move and the destination account details—this can be another account at the same bank or an account at a different bank.
If you are transferring to a different bank, you will need the routing number and account number of the receiving bank. Transfers between banks usually take one to three business days. Wait for the transfer to complete and show up in your receiving account before you close the original account.
If your account has a small balance (under $25) and you do not want to transfer it, some banks will mail you a check for the remaining amount after closure. Ask the bank what happens to leftover balances before you submit your closure request.
Cancel automatic payments and direct deposits before closing
Any bill payments, subscription charges, or automatic transfers set to come out of the account you are closing will fail once the account is closed. This can result in late fees, service interruptions, or a negative mark on your credit report. Log into each service that pulls money from this account—utilities, insurance, streaming services, loan payments, phone bills—and update the payment method to your new bank account or a credit card.
Similarly, if your paycheck, tax refund, or government benefits are deposited into the account you are closing, update your direct deposit information with your employer or the relevant government agency. This usually takes one to two pay periods to take effect, so make the change at least two weeks before you close the account.
Check your bank's transaction history for the past three months to catch any recurring charges or deposits you might have forgotten about. Once you have updated or canceled everything, wait a full billing cycle to make sure no unexpected charges hit the account before you close it.
When you cannot close an account online
Some banks require you to close accounts by phone or in person if your account is overdrawn (has a negative balance), has pending transactions that have not cleared, or is linked to a credit card, investment account, or other financial product. If you see a message saying you cannot close the account online, call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your bank statement.
If your account is overdrawn, you must pay the negative balance before the bank will close it. If there are pending transactions, you may need to wait for them to clear. If the account is linked to other products, the bank may require you to close those products first or may close them automatically when you close the account.
Some banks also require in-person closure for accounts held by minors, accounts with power of attorney, or accounts that are part of a trust or business entity. Contact your bank to find out what method is required for your specific account type.
What happens after your account closes
Once your account is closed, you will no longer be able to use the debit card, make transfers, or access the account through online banking. The bank will stop charging any monthly maintenance fees. Any checks you wrote from that account will bounce if they have not cleared yet, so make sure all outstanding checks have been cashed or canceled before closure.
The closed account will remain on your credit report and banking history for up to seven years. This does not hurt your credit score, but it shows that you had the account. If you need to dispute a transaction or recover funds from the closed account later, you can still contact the bank using your account number and routing number.
Keep your account number, routing number, and the closure confirmation number in a safe place. If a company tries to charge your closed account or if you discover fraud, you will need these numbers to file a dispute or claim with your bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my account if I still have checks outstanding?
Most banks will not close an account with pending checks. Wait for all checks to clear or cancel them with the bank before you close the account. If a check clears after closure, the bank will still process it, but you may face overdraft fees if the account has no balance.
What if I close my account and then need to access it again?
Once an account is closed, you cannot reopen it. You will need to open a new account with the bank. Some banks waive the waiting period if you closed the account recently, but this varies by bank. Contact customer service to ask about reopening options.
Do I need to destroy my debit card after closing the account?
Yes, cut up or shred your debit card so it cannot be used. The card will stop working once the account closes, but destroying it prevents someone from finding it and attempting to use it. You can also contact the bank to request that they deactivate the card immediately.
How long does it take for an online account closure to go through?
Most online closures take one to five business days. You will receive a confirmation email or letter with the exact closure date. If more than a week passes and you have not received confirmation, call customer service to check the status of your request.
Will closing my account hurt my credit score?
Closing a bank account does not directly affect your credit score because banks do not report account closures to credit bureaus. However, if you close an account with an outstanding balance or overdraft, the bank may send it to collections, which will hurt your score.