Closing your checking account and closing your credit card are two separate actions
When you close a Wells Fargo checking account, your credit card stays open unless you specifically close it yourself. The bank treats them as different products. Your checking account holds your money and processes your everyday transactions. Your credit card is a separate line of credit that lets you borrow money up to a limit. Closing one does not trigger the other.
This matters because closing your credit card can affect your credit score, even if you never use it. Closing your checking account has no direct impact on your credit. If you want both accounts closed, you need to contact Wells Fargo twice — once for each product — or make sure you ask them to close both in a single conversation.
Key Takeaways
- Closing a checking account does not close a Wells Fargo credit card; you must request the credit card closure separately.
- Closing a credit card can lower your credit score because it reduces your total available credit, even if the card has a zero balance.
- You can close either account by phone, in person at a branch, or online through your Wells Fargo account, depending on the product.
- If you want to keep the credit card open but close the checking account, make sure the card is not set to withdraw payments from that checking account.
Why closing a credit card affects your credit score differently than closing a checking account
A checking account is not part of your credit report. Closing it does not show up on your credit history and does not change your credit score. The bank may report the closure to ChexSystems, which is a checking account history system, but that is separate from credit reporting.
A credit card is part of your credit report. When you close it, credit bureaus see that you have less available credit. If you had a $5,000 limit and you close that card, your total available credit drops by $5,000. This can raise your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your available credit that you are actually using — and a higher ratio can lower your score. The effect is usually small if you have other open cards, but it is real.
Closing a credit card also removes that account from your credit history over time. If the card had a long history of on-time payments, closing it means you lose that positive history. For this reason, many people keep old credit cards open even if they do not use them.
How to close only your checking account and keep your credit card open
Call Wells Fargo at the number on the back of your checking card or debit card. Tell them you want to close your checking account only. They will ask you to confirm that you understand your credit card will remain open. Make sure you have a plan for any automatic payments that were tied to that checking account — you will need to update them to a different account or payment method before the checking account closes.
If you have direct deposit set up, you will need to change it to a new account before closing. If you have automatic bill payments coming from that checking account, contact those companies to update your payment method. Wells Fargo will usually give you a grace period of a few days to a week to make these changes, but do not wait.
You can also close the checking account in person at a Wells Fargo branch. Bring your debit card and a photo ID. The teller can walk you through the process and answer questions about what happens to your automatic payments. This is often the safest route if you have many transactions tied to that account.
How to close both your checking account and credit card at the same time
If you want both closed, call Wells Fargo and tell them you want to close both your checking account and your credit card. Ask them to confirm they are closing both products. You can also do this in person at a branch, which gives you a written record that both closures were requested.
Before you close the credit card, make sure you have paid off any balance. Wells Fargo will not close a card with an outstanding balance. If you have a balance, pay it down to zero first, then request the closure. If you have pending transactions, wait a few days for them to post before closing.
After you request closure, ask Wells Fargo for a confirmation number and the date the accounts will be closed. Keep this information. Check your credit report a few weeks later to make sure both accounts show as closed. You can get a free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com, which is the official government site.
What happens to your credit card if you close the checking account by mistake
If you closed your checking account and did not realize your credit card was still open, you can still use the card. The two accounts are not linked. You can make purchases on the card and pay the bill from a different bank account or by mail.
To pay your Wells Fargo credit card from another bank, log into your Wells Fargo credit card account online or call the number on the back of your card. You can set up a one-time payment or automatic payments from an external account. You can also mail a check to the address on your statement. Just make sure you keep making payments on time so your credit score does not suffer.
Closing a credit card without closing your checking account
If you want to keep your checking account open but close your credit card, call Wells Fargo and ask to close only the credit card. You do not need to close the checking account. Make sure the credit card has a zero balance before you request closure.
After the credit card is closed, you can still use your checking account normally. Your debit card will still work. Any automatic payments that were set to come from your checking account will continue as usual. The only change is that you will no longer have access to that credit card.
What to do if Wells Fargo will not close your account
Wells Fargo may refuse to close a checking account if there is a pending dispute, a negative balance, or if you owe the bank money. If there is a negative balance, you need to deposit money to bring it to zero before closing. If there is a dispute, you may need to wait for it to be resolved.
If you have a credit card with an outstanding balance, Wells Fargo will not close it until the balance is paid. Pay the balance in full, then request closure again. If Wells Fargo still refuses to close an account and you believe they are wrong, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at ConsumerFinance.gov. The CFPB investigates complaints about banks and can sometimes force them to close accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my Wells Fargo checking account affect my credit score?
No. Checking accounts do not appear on your credit report, so closing one has no effect on your credit score. Only credit products like credit cards, loans, and lines of credit show up on your credit history.
Can I close my checking account online?
It depends on your account type. Some Wells Fargo checking accounts can be closed through the online banking portal, but not all. Call Wells Fargo or visit a branch to confirm whether your account can be closed online. If you cannot close it online, you can close it by phone or in person.
What happens to my debit card when I close my checking account?
Your debit card will stop working once the checking account is closed. If you have a Wells Fargo credit card, that card will still work. You can request a new debit card if you open a new checking account later.
How long does it take to close a Wells Fargo checking account?
The closure usually takes effect within a few business days, but it can take up to a week. Any pending transactions may take longer to clear. Ask Wells Fargo for a specific date when the account will be closed so you can plan your automatic payments accordingly.
If I close my credit card, can I reopen it later?
Wells Fargo may allow you to reopen a closed credit card within a certain time frame, but this is not may provide. Once a card is closed, it is treated as a new account if you reopen it, which can affect your credit history. Call Wells Fargo before closing a card if you think you might want it back.