You can close a Regions checking account by phone, in person, or by mail, but you need to settle your balance and stop automatic payments first

Regions Bank does not publish a single "close account" form or online portal button. Instead, you contact them directly—by phone, at a branch, or in writing—and they walk you through the steps. The process itself is straightforward: confirm your identity, move or withdraw your remaining balance, cancel any linked automatic payments or transfers, and confirm the closure. Most closures happen within a few business days once Regions receives your request, though any pending transactions can delay the final settlement.

The timing matters. If you close the account while checks are still outstanding or while automatic bill payments are scheduled to hit, those transactions may bounce or fail. Regions will not automatically reroute them to another account. You need to contact each biller or payee separately and give them your new account number, or cancel the payment altogether.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact Regions by phone at 1-800-637-7455, visit a local branch, or send a written request to close your account—there is no online closure option.
  • Before closing, withdraw or transfer your remaining balance and cancel all automatic payments, bill pay arrangements, and linked transfers.
  • Any checks you have written or automatic payments scheduled to process after closure may bounce; contact those billers directly to update your account information.
  • Regions will send you a final statement showing the closure date and any remaining balance; keep this for your records.
  • If you have a linked savings account, credit card, or loan, closing your checking account does not affect those products unless you explicitly request it.

Closing by phone or at a branch

The fastest route is a phone call to Regions customer service at 1-800-637-7455. Have your account number and a government-issued ID ready. The representative will verify your identity, confirm your current balance, and ask whether you want to withdraw the money, transfer it to another account, or have Regions mail you a check. They will also ask about any pending transactions or automatic payments linked to the account.

If you prefer to close in person, visit any Regions branch with your ID and account number. A teller can process the closure on the spot, settle your balance when ready, and give you a receipt. This is the clearest option if you want to walk away with confirmation the same day. Branch hours vary by location, so check the Regions website for your nearest branch and its hours before you go.

What to do with your remaining balance

Regions will not close an account with a negative balance (overdraft). You must bring the account to zero or positive first. If you have money in the account, you have three options: withdraw it in cash at a branch or ATM, transfer it to another bank account (yours or someone else's), or ask Regions to mail you a check.

If you choose a transfer, Regions can move the funds to another account at Regions or to an external bank. Transfers to another Regions account happen when ready. Transfers to an external bank use the ACH system and typically take one to three business days. If you ask for a check, Regions will mail it to your address on file; allow five to ten business days for delivery.

Canceling automatic payments and bill pay before closure

This is the step most people forget, and it causes problems. If you have set up automatic bill payments through Regions Bill Pay, or if you have recurring charges from merchants (gym memberships, subscriptions, insurance premiums), those payments will attempt to process even after you close the account. When they fail, the merchant may charge you a fee, and you may face late fees or service interruptions.

Log into your Regions online banking or mobile app and cancel each bill pay arrangement individually. For recurring charges from merchants, contact each company directly—the merchant's customer service, not Regions—and provide your new payment method or ask them to stop the charge. Do this at least one week before you close the account to make sure the cancellations process.

If you have set up automatic transfers between your Regions checking account and another account (to move money to savings, for example), cancel those too. Regions will not automatically redirect them.

Handling outstanding checks and pending transactions

If you have written checks that have not yet cleared, those checks will bounce after you close the account. Before closing, contact the people or businesses you wrote checks to and ask whether they have deposited them yet. If they have not, ask them to hold off or provide them with your new account information.

Pending transactions—charges that have posted to your account but have not fully settled—may still process after closure. Regions will typically honor these if they are already in the system, but the timing is unpredictable. If you are concerned about a specific transaction, ask the Regions representative whether it has fully settled before you close.

What happens to linked products and services

Closing your checking account does not automatically close a linked savings account, credit card, or loan. Those products remain open unless you specifically request to close them as well. However, if you have a Regions debit card tied to the checking account, that card will stop working once the account closes. Destroy the card or contact Regions to have them deactivate it.

If you have overdraft protection linked to a savings account, that protection ends when the checking account closes. Make sure your savings account has enough balance to cover any final transactions if you plan to keep it open.

Confirming closure and keeping records

After you close the account, Regions will send you a final statement to your address on file. This statement shows the closure date, your final balance, and any fees or interest posted in the final period. Keep this statement for your records, especially if you are closing because of a dispute or if you need proof of closure for tax or legal purposes.

If you do not receive a final statement within two weeks, contact Regions and ask for one. You can also log into your online banking account for a few weeks after closure to view the final transactions and balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my Regions checking account online?

No. Regions does not offer online account closure. You must call 1-800-637-7455, visit a branch in person, or send a written request. Phone or in-person closure is faster and gives you when ready confirmation.

What if I have a negative balance or overdraft?

You must pay off the negative balance before Regions will close the account. You can transfer funds from another account, deposit cash, or ask Regions to deduct the amount from a linked savings account. Once the balance is zero or positive, the closure can proceed.

How long does it take for Regions to close my account after I request it?

If you close in person at a branch, the account closes when ready. If you close by phone or mail, closure typically happens within one to three business days. Any pending transactions or checks may take longer to fully settle.

Will closing my 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, payment history), not on checking or savings accounts.

What if I closed my account but a payment still tried to process?

Contact the merchant or biller directly and provide your new payment information. If the payment bounced and you were charged a fee, ask the merchant to reverse it. Regions cannot redirect payments to a closed account, so the responsibility falls on you to update your information with each payee.