You can close a BMO Harris checking account by phone, in person, or online, but the fastest route is usually a phone call to customer service

BMO Harris does not require you to visit a branch or mail anything in. Call the number on the back of your debit card or go to your online banking portal and look for account closure options. The process takes minutes, but you need to handle a few things first: make sure your account balance is zero (or transfer any remaining funds out), confirm that no automatic payments or direct deposits are still tied to the account, and decide what to do with any outstanding checks.

The account closes when ready once you confirm the closure with a representative, though it may take a few business days for the closure to show up in your online banking. If you have a linked savings account or credit card, closing your checking account does not affect those.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the customer service number on your debit card to close your account by phone, which is faster than visiting a branch.
  • Your account balance must be zero before closure—transfer any remaining money to another account first.
  • Cancel or redirect any automatic payments, bill pay, or direct deposits linked to the account before you close it.
  • Outstanding checks may still clear after closure, so contact BMO Harris if you have checks you expect to arrive.
  • Account closure is when ready, but it may take a few business days to disappear from your online portal.

What to do with your remaining balance and pending transactions

Before you call to close the account, move any money out. You can transfer funds to another BMO Harris account you own, to an external bank account, or withdraw cash at a branch or ATM. If you have even a few cents left, BMO Harris will not close the account until the balance is zero.

Check your recent transactions for anything that has not cleared yet. If you have automatic bill payments set up—utilities, insurance, subscriptions, loan payments—you need to stop them or move them to a different account. The same goes for direct deposits like paychecks or government benefits. Payments that hit the account after closure will bounce, which can trigger late fees at the company trying to collect.

If you have written checks that have not been cashed yet, contact BMO Harris before closing and ask what happens to outstanding checks. Some banks will honor them for a period after closure; others will not. If you are unsure whether a check will arrive, wait a few weeks before closing the account, or ask the recipient to deposit it sooner.

How to close the account by phone

Find the customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your monthly statement. Call during business hours and tell the representative you want to close your checking account. They will verify your identity by asking for your account number, Social Security number, or other information tied to the account.

The representative will confirm that your balance is zero and ask whether you have any outstanding checks or pending transactions. Once you confirm everything is clear, they will process the closure. Ask them to send you a written confirmation by email or mail if you want a record of the closure date.

Closing your account online or in person

Log into your BMO Harris online banking portal and look for account settings or account management. Some accounts allow you to request closure directly through the portal; others do not. If you do not see a closure option, the phone route is your fastest path.

If you prefer to close in person, visit any BMO Harris branch with a valid ID and your debit card. The teller will walk you through the same process as a phone representative. This takes longer than a phone call because you have to travel to the branch, but it gives you a face-to-face confirmation and a paper receipt.

What happens after your account closes

The account stops accepting deposits and withdrawals when ready. Any checks or automatic payments that try to process after closure will be rejected and returned to the sender. The account will remain visible in your online banking for a few weeks before disappearing entirely.

If you need a record of transactions from the closed account for tax purposes or to dispute a charge, you can still request a statement from BMO Harris after closure. Keep any statements or records you have from while the account was open, because they may be harder to retrieve once the account is fully closed.

If you want to reopen the account later

Closing a checking account does not prevent you from opening a new one with BMO Harris. If you change your mind within a few days, call customer service and ask whether the account can be reopened. Some banks will reopen an account that was just closed; others will treat it as a new account opening and run a credit check.

If the account was closed because of overdrafts, fraud, or repeated policy violations, BMO Harris may decline to reopen it or open a new one. If you had a good account history, reopening is usually straightforward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my account if I still have a pending direct deposit?

You should redirect the direct deposit to another account before closing. If a deposit hits after closure, it will be rejected and sent back to your employer or the agency sending it. Contact your employer's payroll department or the benefits office to update your banking information first.

What if I have a negative balance or overdraft fees?

You must bring the balance to zero before closure, which means paying off the negative balance plus any fees. If you dispute the fees, resolve that before closing, because it is harder to contest them after the account is gone.

Do I need to destroy my debit card after closing?

Yes. Cut it up or shred it so it cannot be used. The card will stop working once the account closes, but destroying it prevents someone from finding it and trying to use it.

How long does it take for the account to fully disappear from my online banking?

Usually two to four weeks. The account closes when ready, but it stays visible in your portal for record-keeping purposes before being archived. If you need to see old transactions, you can still access them during this window.

Will closing my checking account affect my credit score?

No. Checking accounts do not appear on your credit report, so closing one has no impact on your credit. Only credit products like credit cards, loans, and lines of credit affect your score.