How to Close a Bank Account & Switch Banks

Switching banks is one of the highest-leverage money moves most people never make. Closing an account the wrong way can trigger overdraft fees, missed automatic payments, and interrupted direct deposits, so the order of operations matters: open the new account first, inventory every recurring payment, move direct deposit, then close the old account only after a full billing cycle has cleared.

The guides below cover how to close accounts at major banks step by step, what to watch for during the transition, and which fee-free or higher-yield alternatives are worth considering. Each guide walks through the same careful migration checklist so you switch without losing a payment or paying a closure fee.