You can close a Fifth Third account by phone, in person, or online, depending on the account type and whether you have outstanding balances

Fifth Third Bank lets you close most checking and savings accounts through their customer service line, at any branch, or through online banking if the account is in good standing. The process takes a few minutes if you have no pending transactions, but can take longer if you have automatic payments set up, outstanding checks, or a negative balance. Before you close, you need to move any remaining money out, cancel any automatic deposits or payments tied to the account, and make sure no checks are still pending.

The fastest route is usually a phone call to Fifth Third's customer service at 1-800-972-3030, where a representative can walk you through the steps and confirm the account is closed the same day. If you prefer to do it in person, any Fifth Third branch can close the account on the spot. Online closure is available for some account types through Fifth Third's mobile app or website, though not all accounts support this method.

Key Takeaways

  • Call Fifth Third customer service at 1-800-972-3030 to close an account by phone, or visit any branch in person for when ready closure.
  • Move all remaining funds out of the account before closing, and cancel any automatic payments or direct deposits linked to it.
  • Wait for any outstanding checks to clear before closing, or the account may stay open longer than expected.
  • Ask for written confirmation of the closure, including the date and final balance, so you have a record if problems arise later.
  • If you have a negative balance or owe fees, you must pay those before the account can be closed.

What to do before you call or visit the branch

Before you contact Fifth Third, move any money in the account to another bank or withdraw it in cash. Fifth Third will not close an account with a balance remaining, and they will not transfer funds to another bank for you. If you have direct deposit set up, log into your Fifth Third account or call your employer's payroll department to redirect future paychecks to your new bank account.

Check for any automatic payments or recurring charges tied to the account—subscriptions, insurance premiums, utility bills, loan payments, or anything else that comes out automatically each month. You need to update those with your new bank account information before closing, or the payments will fail and you may face late fees or service interruptions. Go through your last three months of statements to catch anything you might have forgotten about.

If you have outstanding checks you wrote but have not yet cleared, wait until they do before closing the account. Fifth Third will hold the account open until all checks clear, which can take up to 30 days depending on when the checks are deposited. You can check the status of pending checks through online banking or by calling customer service.

Closing by phone with Fifth Third customer service

Call 1-800-972-3030 during business hours (typically 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday). Have your account number ready, and be prepared to verify your identity with your Social Security number, date of birth, or other information Fifth Third asks for. Tell the representative you want to close the account, and they will confirm that the account balance is zero and that no automatic payments are pending.

The representative will ask why you are closing the account—this is optional to answer, but Fifth Third sometimes uses the feedback to improve their service. Once you confirm the closure, the account will be closed when ready, and the representative will give you a confirmation number. Write down this number and the date and time of the call. Ask the representative to send written confirmation to your mailing address on file, or ask if you can receive it by email.

Closing in person at a Fifth Third branch

Visit any Fifth Third branch with a valid photo ID and your account number. You can find branch locations and hours on Fifth Third's website or by calling 1-800-972-3030. Bring any debit cards or checks associated with the account so you can destroy them in front of the branch representative, or they will note in the system that you have surrendered them.

The branch representative will verify that your account balance is zero and that no automatic payments are pending, just as a phone representative would. The closure happens when ready, and you will receive a receipt with the closure date and confirmation number. Keep this receipt for your records. If you have questions about fees or final transactions, the branch representative can pull up your account history and explain any charges.

Closing online through Fifth Third's app or website

Fifth Third offers online account closure for some checking and savings accounts through their mobile app or website, though not all account types support this feature. Log into your account, look for settings or account management options, and search for "close account" or "account closure." If the option appears, follow the prompts to confirm your identity and review the account balance.

Online closure works only if your account is in good standing—meaning no negative balance, no pending transactions, and no automatic payments. If you see an error message or the closure option does not appear, your account type may not support online closure, or there may be a hold on the account. In that case, call customer service or visit a branch instead.

What happens after the account closes

Once Fifth Third closes your account, you cannot use the debit card, write checks, or access the account through online banking. Any attempt to use the card or deposit checks will be declined. If a payment or deposit tries to post after closure, it will be rejected, and the sender will receive a notice that the account is closed.

Fifth Third will mail you a final statement showing the closure date and any remaining activity. This statement is important for your records, especially if you need to prove the account is closed for tax purposes or to dispute a charge. Keep it for at least one year. If you do not receive a final statement within 30 days, call customer service to request one.

If you closed the account because of fraud or unauthorized activity, report it to Fifth Third's fraud department when ready at 1-800-972-3030. Fifth Third can place a fraud alert on your account and help you dispute any unauthorized charges. You may also want to place a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to protect yourself from identity theft.

Common problems and how to fix them

If Fifth Third tells you the account cannot be closed because of a negative balance, you owe the bank money. This can happen if fees exceeded your balance, or if a payment posted after your funds ran out. You must pay the negative balance in full before the account can close. You can pay by phone, in person, or by transferring funds from another account if Fifth Third allows it. Ask the representative what payment methods they accept.

If you have automatic payments still pending, Fifth Third will not close the account until you cancel them. Contact each company or service that pulls money from the account and update your payment method. Once those are cancelled, call Fifth Third again to close the account. This can add several days to the process if the companies take time to process the cancellation.

If you closed the account but later find that a check or payment is still trying to post, contact Fifth Third when ready. Explain that the account is closed and ask them to return the item to the sender. Fifth Third should do this automatically, but confirming it prevents the sender from thinking the payment went through when it did not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reopen a Fifth Third account after I close it?

Yes, you can reopen a closed account within a certain timeframe, though Fifth Third's exact policy varies. Call customer service at 1-800-972-3030 to ask whether your account can be reopened and what steps are required. If too much time has passed, you may need to open a new account instead.

What if I have a Fifth Third credit card or loan tied to my checking account?

Closing a checking account does not close a credit card or loan. You can close the checking account separately. However, if your credit card or loan payment is set to come from that checking account, you must update the payment method before closing, or the payment will fail. Contact Fifth Third's credit card or loan department to update your payment information.

Will closing my account hurt my credit score?

Closing a checking or savings account does not directly affect your credit score, because checking and savings accounts do not appear on your credit report. However, if you have a negative balance that goes unpaid, Fifth Third may report it to a collection agency, which can harm your credit. Pay any outstanding balance before closing.

How long does it take for Fifth Third to fully close my account?

The closure itself happens when ready when you call, visit a branch, or complete it online. However, the account may stay open for a few more days if checks are still clearing or if pending transactions need to post. Once all activity clears, the account is fully closed, which usually takes three to five business days.

Do I need to destroy my Fifth Third debit card when I close the account?

You do not have to destroy it, but it is a good idea. If you close the account in person, the branch representative may ask you to surrender the card. If you close by phone or online, cut up the card yourself to prevent accidental use or fraud. The card will stop working when ready after closure anyway, but destroying it removes the temptation to use it.