The basic steps to close a First Horizon account
To close a First Horizon Bank account, you have three options: visit a branch in person, call their customer service line, or use online banking if the option is available in your account. The fastest route is usually a phone call or branch visit, because you can ask questions about your balance and any pending transactions in real time.
Before you close, make sure your account balance is zero or that you have a plan for any remaining money. If you have automatic payments or direct deposits set up, you will need to update those with your new bank information or cancel them entirely. First Horizon will not automatically transfer these — that is your responsibility.
Once you have handled those details, contact First Horizon and tell them you want to close the account. They will confirm there are no holds or pending items, process the closure, and send you written confirmation. The whole process usually takes a few minutes on the phone or in person.
Key Takeaways
- You can close a First Horizon account by phone, in person at a branch, or sometimes through online banking, and the process usually takes just a few minutes.
- Before closing, bring your account balance to zero and redirect any automatic payments or direct deposits to another account or cancel them.
- First Horizon will not move your money or update your automatic payments for you — you must do that yourself.
- Ask for written confirmation of the closure once it is complete, so you have a record that the account is officially closed.
- If you have a credit card with First Horizon, closing your checking or savings account does not close the credit card — you must close those separately.
What to do with money still in the account
If your account has a balance when you want to close it, you have two main options. You can withdraw the money in cash at a branch or ATM before closing, or you can ask First Horizon to transfer it to another bank account you own. If you choose a transfer, have your new bank's routing number and your account number ready — First Horizon will need both.
Some people prefer to withdraw cash to avoid delays, especially if they are switching banks and do not want to wait for a transfer to clear. Others transfer directly to avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Either way, confirm the money has arrived or been withdrawn before you officially close the account.
Stopping automatic payments and direct deposits
If you receive a paycheck or regular payment deposited into your First Horizon account, you need to update that with your employer or the organization sending the money. This is not something First Horizon can do for you. Contact your employer's payroll department or the organization making the deposit and give them your new bank account information.
For automatic bill payments — utilities, insurance, loan payments, subscriptions — log into each company's website or call them directly and update your payment method. Do not assume First Horizon will forward these payments or notify the companies. If you do not update them before closing, payments may fail and you could face late fees or service interruptions.
Give yourself at least a week or two to make these changes before you close the account, so you can catch any you might have missed. Some companies take time to process updates.
Closing the account by phone
Call First Horizon's customer service number on the back of your debit card or on their website. Tell them you want to close your account and have your account number ready. They will ask you to verify your identity — usually your Social Security number, date of birth, or answers to security questions you set up when you opened the account.
Once verified, the representative will confirm your balance, ask what you want to do with any remaining money, and check for any pending transactions or holds. They will then process the closure and give you a confirmation number. Write this down or ask them to email it to you.
The account is usually closed when ready, though it may take a day or two to show as closed in their system. If you have checks outstanding or pending transactions, the representative will tell you how long to wait before the account is fully closed.
Closing the account in person at a branch
Visit any First Horizon branch with a valid photo ID and your debit card or account number. Tell the teller you want to close the account. They will verify your identity, check your balance, and ask what you want to do with any remaining funds — withdraw it, transfer it, or leave it for them to mail you a check.
The teller will process the closure on the spot and give you a receipt with a confirmation number. This is your proof that the account is closed, so keep it. If you have outstanding checks or pending transactions, ask the teller how long the account will remain open to clear those items.
Closing in person is often the clearest option because you walk out with a receipt and can ask questions face to face if anything is unclear.
What happens to checks and pending transactions
If you have written checks that have not cleared yet, First Horizon will keep the account open long enough for those checks to process — usually 30 days, though this varies. The bank will tell you the exact timeline when you close. Do not close the account if you know checks are still outstanding unless you are prepared to cover them from another account.
Pending transactions — charges that have been authorized but not yet deducted — will post after you close. Make sure your account has enough money to cover them, or transfer extra funds before closing. If a pending charge posts after the account is closed and there is no money, you may face overdraft fees.
After the account is closed
Once First Horizon closes your account, you will no longer be able to use your debit card for that account. If you have a First Horizon credit card, it remains open unless you close it separately. Your account history will still be available if you need to reference old statements — you can usually view these online for a period of time or request copies from the bank.
Keep your confirmation number and any receipts for at least a few months. If a charge appears on another account or a company claims they never received your payment update, you will have proof that your First Horizon account was closed on a specific date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen a First Horizon account after I close it?
Yes, you can open a new account with First Horizon at any time. However, if your account was closed due to fraud or repeated overdrafts, the bank may decline to open a new one. If you closed it yourself, there is no restriction on reopening.
What if I forgot to update a company's payment information before closing?
Contact that company when ready and give them your new bank account information. Explain that your old account is closed. Most companies can update your payment method within a day or two. If a payment fails, call them to explain the situation — many will waive a late fee if you update your information right away.
Do I need to close my First Horizon credit card when I close my checking account?
No. Your credit card and checking account are separate products. Closing one does not close the other. If you want to close your credit card, you must do that separately by calling the credit card customer service number or visiting a branch.
How long does it take for a First Horizon account to fully close?
The closure is usually processed when ready when you close it, but it may take one to two business days to show as closed in their system. If you have pending transactions or outstanding checks, the account may remain open for up to 30 days to clear those items.
What if my account has a negative balance when I try to close it?
You will need to pay the negative balance before the account can close. You can do this by transferring money from another account, depositing cash, or using a debit card. First Horizon will not close an account that owes them money.