You can close most Wells Fargo accounts online through your account settings, but the method depends on the account type
Wells Fargo lets you close checking and savings accounts through their website or mobile app without calling or visiting a branch. The process takes a few minutes and you can do it from home. However, some account types — like investment accounts, credit cards, or business accounts — have different closure procedures, and Wells Fargo may require you to call or visit in person for certain situations.
Before you close any account, you should know what happens next: pending transactions may still process, automatic payments linked to that account will fail, and you'll lose access to any rewards or benefits tied to that specific account. If you have a negative balance, Wells Fargo will collect it before closing.
Key Takeaways
- Checking and savings accounts can be closed through the Wells Fargo website or mobile app by going to account settings and selecting the close account option.
- You must have a zero or positive balance before Wells Fargo will close your account; if you owe money, they will deduct it first.
- Any automatic payments or direct deposits linked to the account will stop working after closure, so update those with your new bank first.
- Credit cards, investment accounts, and business accounts require different closure methods — usually a phone call to the specific department.
- After closure, keep your account statements for at least one year in case you need to dispute charges or verify transactions.
Steps to close a checking or savings account online
Log into your Wells Fargo account on their website or open the mobile app. Navigate to the account you want to close and look for account settings or account details. In most cases, you'll find a "Close Account" or "Manage Account" option in a menu — the exact wording varies depending on whether you're using the website or app.
Click or tap that option and Wells Fargo will ask you to confirm the account number and may ask why you're closing it. Answer their questions and review the final confirmation screen, which will show your current balance and any pending transactions. Once you confirm, the account closes when ready, though it may take a few business days for the closure to appear in your account history.
If you can't find the close account option in your settings, your account type may require a different process. Call Wells Fargo at 1-800-869-3557 (the number for customer service) and tell them you want to close the account — they can walk you through it or handle it over the phone.
What to do before you close your account
Check your account balance and make sure it's zero or positive. If you have a negative balance (you owe Wells Fargo money), they will deduct that amount before closing the account. If the balance is negative and you don't have enough funds, the closure may be delayed until you bring the account current.
Stop or redirect any automatic payments that use this account. Log into each service you pay automatically — utilities, subscriptions, insurance, loan payments — and update the payment method to a different account or card. This step is critical because payments will fail after the account closes, which can result in late fees or service interruptions.
Do the same for direct deposits. If your paycheck or government benefits go to this account, contact your employer or the benefits administrator and provide your new account number. Allow at least one pay cycle for the change to take effect.
Transfer any remaining funds to another account. If you're keeping your Wells Fargo relationship but closing just one account, transfer the balance to your other Wells Fargo account. If you're leaving Wells Fargo entirely, transfer the money to your new bank before closing.
Closing credit cards and investment accounts
Credit cards cannot be closed through online account settings. To close a Wells Fargo credit card, call the number on the back of your card or call 1-800-869-3557 and ask for the credit card department. Have your card number ready. The representative will confirm your identity, process the closure, and explain what happens to any remaining balance or rewards points.
If you have an outstanding balance on the card, Wells Fargo will not close it until you pay it off. If you have rewards points, ask the representative whether they expire after closure or whether you can redeem them before the account closes.
Investment accounts, brokerage accounts, and retirement accounts (like IRAs) also require a phone call or visit. The process is more complex because Wells Fargo needs to know what you want to do with your investments — sell them, transfer them to another brokerage, or take a distribution. Call 1-800-869-3557 and ask for the investment services department.
What happens after your account closes
Your account number becomes inactive when ready, but it can take three to five business days for the closure to fully process in Wells Fargo's system. During that time, any checks you've written or automatic payments you forgot to redirect may still attempt to process. If they do, they will be returned unpaid and you may face overdraft fees from the other party.
Keep your final account statement and any transaction records for at least one year. You may need them to dispute a charge, verify a payment, or respond to a tax question. Wells Fargo will mail you a final statement, or you can read it from your account before closure.
If you had a debit card linked to this account, it will stop working. Destroy the card or contact Wells Fargo to request they deactivate it. If you had checks printed for this account, stop using them when ready — any checks deposited after closure will be returned.
Situations where Wells Fargo may not close your account online
If your account is linked to a loan, line of credit, or overdraft protection, Wells Fargo may require you to call or visit a branch. These connections need to be removed before closure, and the bank wants to confirm you understand the implications.
If your account has been flagged for suspicious activity or is under review, Wells Fargo will not allow online closure. You'll need to call or visit a branch and speak with a representative who can explain the hold and discuss your options.
Business accounts, joint accounts with certain restrictions, and accounts with legal holds cannot be closed online. The same applies if you have a negative balance that exceeds a certain threshold — Wells Fargo may require you to resolve it in person or over the phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does closing my Wells Fargo account hurt my credit score?
Closing a checking or savings account does not directly affect your credit score because these accounts don't appear on your credit report. However, closing a credit card can temporarily lower your score because it reduces your available credit and may increase your credit utilization ratio. The impact is usually small and temporary.
Can I reopen a Wells Fargo account after I close it?
Yes, you can open a new Wells Fargo account at any time. However, if you closed the account due to a negative balance or fraud, Wells Fargo may review your history before allowing you to open a new one. If you straightforward want to reopen the same account, that's not possible — you'll need to open a new account with a new account number.
What if I have pending transactions when I close my account?
Pending transactions may still process after you close the account. If they do, Wells Fargo will attempt to deduct them from your account. If there are no funds, the transaction will be returned unpaid and you may face overdraft fees. Contact Wells Fargo before closing if you have large pending transactions and ask them to wait until they clear.
Do I need to visit a branch to close my account?
No, you can close most checking and savings accounts online without visiting a branch. However, if you encounter an error, your account has restrictions, or you prefer to close it in person, you can visit any Wells Fargo branch and ask a representative to close it for you.
Will Wells Fargo charge me a fee to close my account?
Wells Fargo does not charge a fee to close a checking or savings account. However, if you close the account before meeting a minimum balance requirement or within a certain timeframe after opening it, some account types may have early closure fees. Check your account agreement or call customer service to confirm whether your specific account has any such fees.