You can suspend your America's First checking account, but the bank calls it a temporary closure
America's First Credit Union does not use the word "suspend" — they call it a temporary account closure. The difference matters because it is not the same as freezing your card or putting a hold on transactions. When you close an account temporarily, the account stops accepting deposits and withdrawals, and you cannot use the debit card or checks linked to it. The account itself remains open in the system, which is why it is temporary rather than permanent.
You can request this through your local America's First branch or by calling their member services line. The process takes a few minutes, and the closure is effective when ready. You will need to have a reason ready — the credit union does not require a specific one, but they will ask why you want to close it temporarily, usually to understand whether you need a different product instead.
The key thing to know before you do this: any automatic payments or direct deposits tied to that account will fail. Your employer's payroll will bounce back, and any bills you have set to auto-pay will not go through. You need to redirect those before you close the account, or you will face late fees and broken payment chains.
Key Takeaways
- America's First calls a temporary closure what other banks call a suspension — the account stops working but remains on file.
- You must contact your local branch or member services to request the closure; it takes effect the same day.
- Any automatic payments, direct deposits, or recurring charges will fail once the account closes, so redirect them first.
- A temporary closure is different from closing the account permanently, which requires a separate request and may have different rules.
- If you are closing because of fraud or a lost card, ask about a card replacement or fraud dispute instead — those are faster than closing the whole account.
What happens to your money when you close the account temporarily
The balance in your account does not disappear. It stays there, and you can access it by reopening the account or by requesting a check from the branch. America's First will not charge you a fee to hold the money while the account is closed, but you also will not earn any interest on it during that time (most checking accounts at America's First do not pay interest anyway, so this may not matter).
If you have pending transactions — a check you wrote that has not cleared yet, or a debit card charge that is still processing — those will complete even after you request the closure. The timing depends on when the transaction actually posts to the system. A check can take three to five business days to clear, so if you close your account on a Monday, a check you wrote on Friday might still go through on Wednesday. Make sure you have enough balance to cover anything in flight.
You cannot withdraw cash or transfer money out of a closed account using your debit card or online banking. If you need the money before reopening, go to a branch with your ID and ask them to issue a check or process a transfer to another account.
How to request a temporary closure at America's First
Call America's First member services or visit your local branch in person. The phone number is on the back of your debit card or on their website. Have your account number and ID ready. Tell them you want to temporarily close your checking account, and they will ask why. Common reasons are: you are not using the account right now, you want to consolidate accounts, you are concerned about fraud, or you are switching to a different product.
If you go in person, bring a photo ID and your debit card. The branch staff can close it on the spot. If you call, they will verify your identity by asking security questions — usually your Social Security number, date of birth, and recent transactions. Once they confirm it is you, they will process the closure when ready and give you a confirmation number.
Ask them to confirm the closure is temporary and reversible. Some credit unions have different procedures for temporary versus permanent closures, and you want to make sure you are doing the one that lets you reopen later without reapplying.
Reopening your account after a temporary closure
Reopening is simpler than closing. Call member services or visit a branch and tell them you want to reactivate your account. They will verify your identity the same way and reopen it within minutes. Your account number stays the same, and your old debit card will work again once the system updates — usually within one business day.
If your debit card expired while the account was closed, or if you are uncomfortable using the old one, ask for a replacement card when you reopen. There is no fee for this, and it takes five to seven business days to arrive by mail.
Any automatic payments or direct deposits you set up while the account was closed will start working when ready once the account is active again. If you had paused them before closing, you will need to turn them back on manually through your online banking or by calling the companies involved.
When a temporary closure is not the right move
If your card was lost or stolen, do not close the whole account. Instead, call member services and ask them to deactivate just the card. They can issue a replacement within days, and your account stays open so your direct deposits and automatic payments do not break. Closing the account is overkill and creates more work for you.
If you are worried about fraud on the account, a temporary closure will stop the bleeding, but it will not resolve the underlying problem. Ask America's First to file a fraud dispute for any unauthorized transactions. They will investigate and may reverse the charges while they look into it. A closure just prevents new fraud; it does not recover money that is already gone.
If you want to close the account permanently because you are leaving America's First entirely, ask about their permanent closure process instead. Some credit unions have waiting periods or different requirements for permanent closures, and you want to know those upfront.
Fees and account requirements during a temporary closure
America's First does not charge a fee to temporarily close your account. There is also no monthly maintenance fee on a closed account — you are not paying for something you are not using. However, if your account has a minimum balance requirement to avoid fees, that requirement is typically waived once the account is closed.
Some credit unions charge a fee to reopen an account, but America's First generally does not. Confirm this when you call to close, so you know what to expect if you want to reopen later.
If you have a linked savings account or other products with America's First, closing your checking account does not affect them. They remain open and active unless you close them separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I keep my account closed?
America's First does not publish a specific time limit for temporary closures. Most credit unions allow temporary closures to remain in place indefinitely, but it is good practice to reopen or permanently close within a year to keep your account file clean. If you are unsure, ask the branch when you close.
Will closing my account hurt my credit score?
No. Closing a checking account does not affect your credit score because checking accounts are not reported to credit bureaus. Only credit products like loans and credit cards show up on your credit report.
Can I still use my debit card after I close the account?
No. Once the account is closed, your debit card will be declined at the point of sale and at ATMs. If you need to access your money, you must reopen the account first or request a check from the branch.
What if I have automatic payments set up and I forget to cancel them before closing?
They will fail, and the companies trying to charge you will send you a notice that the payment could not go through. You will need to contact each company and set up a new payment method, or update your payment information once you reopen the account. This can cause late fees, so it is worth taking 10 minutes to cancel or redirect them before you close.
Is a temporary closure the same as a freeze?
No. A freeze (or card lock) stops transactions on your debit card but keeps the account open and active. A temporary closure shuts down the entire account. Use a freeze if you just want to prevent card fraud; use a closure if you want the account to stop working completely.