The basic steps to close a Citizens checking account

To close a Citizens checking account, you have three routes: call Citizens customer service, visit a branch in person, or use online banking if your account type supports it. The fastest method is usually a phone call, which takes about 10 minutes. You will need your account number and a form of ID ready. Citizens will ask what you want to do with any remaining balance — they can send a check, transfer it to another account, or hold it for pickup.

Before you call or visit, make sure your account balance is what you expect it to be. Check for any pending transactions, automatic payments, or direct deposits that might still be processing. If you have overdraft protection linked to another account or credit card, that will be disconnected when you close the account.

Citizens does not charge a fee to close a checking account. However, if you close the account before a certain period (usually 90 days for some account types), you may forfeit any promotional bonus you received when you opened it. Check your account agreement or ask when you call.

Key Takeaways

  • You can close a Citizens checking account by phone, in person at a branch, or online depending on your account type.
  • Make sure all automatic payments and direct deposits are stopped or redirected before you close, or you may miss payments or lose deposits.
  • Decide in advance how you want Citizens to handle your remaining balance — check, transfer, or in-person pickup.
  • Closing the account does not cost anything, but closing too soon after opening may mean losing a sign-up bonus.

Stopping automatic payments and direct deposits before closing

This is the step most people skip and then regret. Any automatic payment set to come from your Citizens account will fail once the account closes, which can trigger late fees from the company you owe money to. Any direct deposit going into that account will bounce back to your employer, and you may not notice for a pay period or two.

Log into your Citizens online banking or mobile app and review the last 60 days of transactions. Look for recurring charges — subscriptions, insurance premiums, loan payments, utility bills. For each one, log into that company's website and change the payment method to a different bank account or credit card. Do not rely on Citizens to forward these payments or notify you.

For direct deposit, contact your employer's payroll department or HR and provide them with your new bank account details if you have one. If you do not have another account yet, ask your employer if they can delay the next deposit by a week or two while you set one up. Some employers can only change direct deposit on specific dates, so start this conversation early.

What happens to your remaining balance

Citizens will not close your account if there is money in it — you must do something with that balance first. When you call or visit to close, you will choose one of three options: have Citizens mail you a check, transfer the funds to another bank account you provide, or pick up a cashier's check at a branch.

A mailed check usually arrives within 5 to 10 business days. A transfer to another account (at Citizens or elsewhere) typically posts within 1 to 2 business days if it is going to another Citizens account, or 3 to 5 business days if it is going to a different bank. A cashier's check is available when ready if you visit a branch, but you will need to go in person with ID.

If your account has a very small balance — under $25 in some cases — Citizens may ask if you want to donate it to charity rather than process a check. This is optional.

Closing in person versus by phone

Closing by phone is faster if you know what you want to do with your balance and have no complications. You call Citizens customer service (the number is on your debit card or statement), confirm your identity, state that you want to close the account, and choose how to receive your balance. The call takes 10 to 15 minutes. You will receive written confirmation by mail within a few days.

Closing in person at a Citizens branch lets you pick up a cashier's check when ready and ask questions face-to-face. This is useful if you have a complicated situation — for example, if you are unsure whether all your automatic payments have been stopped, or if you have a joint account and need both owners present. Bring your ID and your account number. The branch can usually close the account while you wait.

Online closure is available for some Citizens account types through the mobile app or website, but not all. If the option appears in your account settings, you can initiate closure there, though you may still need to call to confirm and arrange your balance.

Joint accounts and authorized users

If the account is joint — meaning two people own it equally — both owners usually need to consent to closing it. Citizens may require both of you to call together, or they may allow one owner to call and then contact the other to confirm. Check your account agreement or ask when you call.

If someone else is an authorized user on your account but does not own it, you can remove them before closing, or Citizens will remove them automatically when the account closes. The authorized user will lose access to the account but will not be notified separately by Citizens — you should tell them yourself.

What to do if you have a Citizens credit card or loan

Closing your checking account does not affect any Citizens credit card or loan you have. Those accounts remain open and active. However, if you have automatic payments set up from your checking account to pay a Citizens credit card or loan, you will need to change that payment method before you close the checking account. Set up a new payment method through your credit card or loan account, or arrange to pay by mail or phone.

If you have overdraft protection linked to a Citizens credit card or savings account, that protection will end when you close the checking account. If you rely on overdraft protection, set up a new checking account first and link it before you close the old one.

After the account closes

Once Citizens closes your account, you will no longer be able to use your debit card, write checks, or access online banking for that account. Destroy your debit card and any unused checks. If you have a safety deposit box at Citizens, you will need to empty it before closing — the bank will contact you about this if you have one.

Keep the confirmation letter Citizens sends you. If a company later claims you owe money on that account, or if a check you wrote bounces because the account is closed, you will need proof of the closure date. Save the letter for at least one year.

If you closed the account and then realize you need to access old statements or transaction history, you can request those from Citizens even after the account is closed. Call customer service and ask for copies of statements from the months you need. There is usually no charge for statements from the past few years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reopen a Citizens checking account after I close it?

Yes, you can open a new Citizens checking account at any time. However, if you closed the account because of a problem — such as too many overdrafts or a dispute — Citizens may review your history before approving a new account. If the account was closed in good standing, opening a new one is straightforward.

What if I close my account and then a check I wrote clears?

The check will bounce, and the company that deposited it will charge you a returned-check fee. Citizens will not charge you because the account is closed, but the other company will. This is why you should wait at least two weeks after your last check before closing the account, or contact anyone you recently wrote a check to and confirm they have deposited it.

Do I need to close my account in the same state where I opened it?

No. You can close a Citizens account by phone from anywhere, or visit any Citizens branch. You do not need to go back to the branch where you opened it.

Will closing my Citizens checking account hurt my credit score?

Closing a checking account does not appear on your credit report and does not affect your credit score. Credit scores are based on credit history — loans, credit cards, and payment history — not on checking accounts.

What if Citizens says my account has a negative balance?

If your account is overdrawn, you must pay the negative balance before Citizens will close it. You can do this by transferring money from another account, depositing cash at a branch, or arranging a payment by phone. Once the balance is paid, the account can be closed.