You can close a Fifth Third checking account by phone, in person, or online, depending on your account type and the bank's current options

Fifth Third Bank lets you close a checking account without visiting a branch, though the exact steps depend on whether you bank online or primarily in person. The fastest route is usually a phone call to Fifth Third's customer service line — they can walk you through what happens to your remaining balance, any pending transactions, and whether you need to return a debit card. If you prefer to close the account in person, any Fifth Third branch can do it, and you'll leave with a check or direct deposit instructions for your final balance.

Before you close, make sure any automatic payments or direct deposits tied to that account are moved to another bank account or cancelled. Fifth Third will not automatically redirect these — if you have a paycheck or bill payment set to that account, it will fail after closure. You should also wait until any pending checks or transfers have cleared, or they may bounce.

Key Takeaways

  • Call Fifth Third customer service or visit a branch to request closure; you do not need to do this online for most account types.
  • Move or cancel any automatic payments, direct deposits, or recurring transfers before closing, or they will fail after the account shuts down.
  • Fifth Third will send your remaining balance by check or direct deposit, depending on what you request during the closure call.
  • Bring your debit card and ID if you close in person, and ask the teller to confirm the account is fully closed before you leave.

Closing by phone with Fifth Third customer service

Call Fifth Third's main customer service number (you can find it on your debit card, bank statement, or the Fifth Third website) and tell them you want to close your checking account. Have your account number ready — it appears on your checks or in online banking. The representative will ask why you are closing (they may try to keep you as a customer, but you can decline) and confirm your account balance.

Ask the representative how your remaining balance will be sent to you. Fifth Third typically offers a check mailed to your address on file, or a direct deposit to another bank account if you provide the routing and account number. A check usually arrives within 5 to 10 business days. Direct deposit is faster but requires you to have another account ready. The representative will also confirm whether you need to return your debit card or if it will straightforward stop working after closure.

Before you hang up, ask the representative to confirm the account is closed and when it will be fully shut down. Some accounts close when ready; others take one or two business days. Write down the date they give you so you know when to stop using that account number for anything.

Closing in person at a Fifth Third branch

Walk into any Fifth Third branch with your debit card and a photo ID. Tell a teller you want to close your checking account. They will pull up your account, show you the balance, and ask how you want to receive it — by check or direct deposit to another account. If you choose a check, they can print it on the spot or mail it to you; ask which is faster at that location.

The teller will also ask whether you want to keep any other accounts open with Fifth Third (savings, money market, etc.). If you only have the checking account, make sure they understand you are closing everything. Before you leave the branch, ask the teller to print a confirmation that the account is closed, or at least write down the date and time of closure on a piece of paper they give you. This protects you if a charge somehow posts to the account later.

What to do with automatic payments and direct deposits before closing

Any paycheck, government benefit, or regular transfer set to deposit into this Fifth Third account will fail once the account closes. Log into your Fifth Third online banking or call the customer service number to find out which deposits or payments are attached to this account. Common ones are paychecks, Social Security, tax refunds, insurance payments, and utility bill autopay.

For each one, contact the source — your employer's payroll department, the Social Security Administration, your insurance company, or your utility — and give them your new bank account number and routing number. This usually takes a few minutes per source and can be done online, by phone, or by mail. Do this at least one week before you close the Fifth Third account, so there is time for the change to process.

If you have automatic bill payments set up through Fifth Third's bill pay system, log in and cancel each one, or change the payment account to your new bank. Fifth Third will not do this for you automatically.

What happens to pending transactions and checks

If you have written checks that have not cleared yet, or if you have pending transfers or purchases, those can still post to your account after you request closure. Fifth Third will hold the account open long enough for these to process — usually a few days. If a check or transfer comes in after the account is officially closed, Fifth Third will typically return it unpaid, which can result in a fee to the person who sent it.

Before you close, check your recent transactions in online banking to see if anything is still pending. If you are unsure, wait a few more days before closing. Once you close the account, you cannot reopen it under the same account number, so it is better to wait than to rush.

Getting your final balance after closure

If you chose a mailed check, it will arrive at the address Fifth Third has on file within 5 to 10 business days. The check will be in the name of the account holder. If the account is joint (two names), the check may require both signatures to cash, so ask the teller about this before you leave.

If you chose direct deposit to another bank account, the transfer usually happens within 1 to 3 business days. Log into your new bank account to confirm the deposit arrived. If it does not appear after three business days, call Fifth Third customer service with the confirmation number the representative gave you when you closed the account.

Keep the confirmation of closure and the check or deposit confirmation for your records. If Fifth Third ever tries to charge you a fee on this account after closure, you will have proof that you closed it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my Fifth Third account if I still have a negative balance?

No. Fifth Third will not close an account with an overdraft or negative balance. You must deposit enough money to bring the balance to zero or positive before closure. Once the balance is settled, you can proceed with closing.

Do I have to return my Fifth Third debit card?

Most Fifth Third debit cards will straightforward stop working after the account closes, so you do not have to return it. However, ask the representative or teller when you close whether Fifth Third wants the card back. If they do, they will tell you how to return it or may destroy it in front of you at the branch.

What if I close my account and then realize I need it back?

Fifth Third cannot reopen a closed account under the same account number. You would have to open a new checking account, which means a new account number and a new debit card. This is why it is important to make sure all your automatic payments and deposits are moved before you close.

How long does it take to close a Fifth Third checking account?

If you close in person or by phone, the account is usually closed within 1 to 2 business days. Your final balance arrives by check or direct deposit within 5 to 10 business days for a check, or 1 to 3 business days for direct deposit, depending on which you choose.

Will closing my Fifth Third account hurt my credit score?

No. Closing a checking account does not affect your credit score. Credit scores are based on credit history — loans, credit cards, and payment history — not on bank accounts. Closing a checking account is a routine banking action with no credit impact.