Guide to Bank Account Closure Letters

From time to time, it may be necessary to close a bank account. Depending on your bank’s policy, you may need to submit an account closure letter to make it final.

A bank account closure letter is simply a written request to have one or more accounts at a financial institution closed. If you have to submit a bank letter to close an account, you may have the option to mail it in or return it in person at a branch.

Knowing how to write a letter to close a bank account can ensure that you’re not leaving any loose ends behind if you decide to move your money elsewhere. Here, you’ll learn:

•  What is a bank account closure letter?

•  Are bank closure letters required?

•  What must a bank closure letter include?

•  What do sample bank closure letters look like?

What Is a Bank Letter to Close an Account?

A bank account closure letter is a letter you write to your bank or credit union asking them to close your account. If you’re closing a savings account at one bank so you can open a new account elsewhere, for example, the bank might ask you to do so in writing.

Writing a letter to close a bank account can ensure that it’s actually closed and that no new deposits or withdrawals can be made. You can write a closing bank account letter to your bank for one account that you have there or for all of them. You can also specify where the bank should forward any remaining money in the account(s).

If you write a bank account closure letter, it’s still a good idea to confirm that the account is closed and update account information for any automatic payments or direct deposits you have set up. Otherwise, you could end up reopening a closed bank account by accident if the bank allows new deposit or credit transactions to post.

Recommended: What Happens If a Direct Deposit Goes to a Closed Account?

How Do Bank Closure Letters Work?

Bank account closure letters work by directing the bank to close any accounts that you specify in the letter. Your bank may have an account closing letter template or form that you can download from its website or pick up at a branch. If not, you can draft your own bank closure letter by including the required information.

Once you submit a bank closure letter to the bank, they’re supposed to close the account or accounts listed in the letter. Any other accounts not listed in the letter should not be affected.

A bank closing letter may or may not need to be notarized. If your bank requires notarization, you may be able to have the bank notary witness your signature at a branch. Bank notary services are usually free for existing customers.

Note that if you have a joint bank account, both of you may need to sign the letter for account closing.

Are Bank Closure Letters Required?

Whether you need to provide a letter to close a bank account or not can depend on the bank. It’s possible that you may be able to close a bank account over the phone or at a branch, without having to submit anything in writing.

You may be more likely to need a written bank account closure letter if there are special reasons for the closure. For example, a letter may be necessary if you:

•  Were named as a beneficiary to a bank account and are closing it after the death of the primary account owner.

•  Are going through a divorce and it’s necessary to close the account to divide assets.

•  Need to close an account for someone who’s passed away and you’re acting as their executor.

Your bank or credit union should be able to tell you when, if ever, a bank account closure letter might be needed. If a letter is necessary, your bank may also be able to provide you with a template or, at the very least, tell you what information you’ll need to include.

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Bank Letter to Close an Account Sample

Bank closure letter templates can vary from bank to bank, but they generally include the same information. If you’re wondering what you can expect, here are a few sample bank account closing letters that you can use as a guide for what to include.

•  Heritage Bank account closing letter

•  First Bank of Highland Park account closing letter

•  Bank of America account closing letter template .

Again, not all banks offer a set template for a bank closing letter. U.S. Bank, for example, directs customers to mail in written requests but doesn’t provide a standard form for doing so.

How to Write an Account Closure Letter?

If you need to write an account closure letter to close a bank account, the process is fairly straightforward. The letter doesn’t need to be long; usually just one page will suffice. But your letter does need to include the right information, as follows:

Basic Information

The first thing to include is some basic information that’s common to any business letter. So, at the top you’ll write:

•  Name of the bank

•  Bank address

•  The date.

You can also add a separate line underneath that referencing what the letter is about. For example, you might add a line that says RE: Account closure for [your name].

After the initial information, you can follow up with the greeting. You can use Dear Banker or To Whom It May Concern if you’re not sure who will receive the letter.

Closure Request

Next, you’ll want to specify what you’re writing about. So, you might say something like:

“Dear Banker,
I’m writing to request the closure of the following accounts at your bank. Please close the account(s) listed below and forward a check for the remaining balance(s) to the address listed below. If you have any questions regarding this request, you can contact me in writing or by phone at XXX-XXX-XXX.”

You don’t need to go into detail about why you’re closing a bank account. If your banker asks, you can provide them with an explanation, but you shouldn’t be required to do so.

Account Information

After making the closure request, you’ll need to tell the bank which accounts to close. Specifically, you can include the following:

•  Account name(s) or type(s)

•  Account number(s)

Once you’ve listed out the accounts, you can ask the bank to send a written confirmation that your request was received and the accounts have been closed. The final step is to sign and date the letter so you can submit it to the bank.

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FAQ

Which documents are required to close a bank account?

If you’d like to close a bank account, all you might need is a bank account closure letter. Additional documents, such as a divorce decree or a death certificate, may be needed to close bank accounts that you own jointly or that belonged to someone else in the circumstances of a divorce or death.

Can you close a bank account without going to the bank?

If your bank allows you to close accounts online or over the phone, it’s possible to do so without setting foot in a branch. You can contact customer service to find out what options you have for closing a bank account and whether a bank closure letter might be required.

What constitutes proof of bank account closure?

It’s a good idea to get a written confirmation from your bank that an account is closed. That way, if there are any issues with the closure later, you have a paper trail to show that the bank acknowledged your request.

About the author

Rebecca Lake

Rebecca Lake has been a finance writer for nearly a decade, specializing in personal finance, investing, and small business. She is a contributor at Forbes Advisor, SmartAsset, Investopedia, The Balance, MyBankTracker, MoneyRates and CreditCards.com. Read full bio.

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