So, you've decided to move on from Citizens Bank. Maybe you found a high-yield savings account that actually pays real interest, or perhaps you're just tired of the monthly maintenance fees that seem to creep up if your balance dips for even a second. It happens. People switch banks all the time, but if you don't close Citizens Bank account setups the right way, you might end up looking at "zombie" accounts or unexpected "account research fees" that suck the life out of your wallet.
Banking is basically a relationship. And like any breakup, if you don't tie up the loose ends, things get messy.
I’ve seen people assume that just withdrawing all their cash and walking away is enough. It isn’t. In fact, that’s the easiest way to end up with a negative balance because a random $10 fee hits an empty account, triggers an overdraft, and suddenly you owe a bank you thought you left $35 plus the original fee. It’s a headache.
What You Need to Do Before You Pull the Trigger
First things first. You can’t just shut it down today if you have bills hitting tomorrow.
Check your statements from the last six months. Look for the "invisible" stuff. I’m talking about the gym membership you forgot was linked to your debit card or the Netflix subscription that auto-renews on the 15th. Honestly, these are the silent killers of a clean bank exit.
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Move your direct deposit first. This is non-negotiable. If your employer tries to send your paycheck to a closed account at Citizens, it won’t just magically bounce into your new one. It gets sent back to the payroll department, and you’ll be waiting days, maybe even a week, for a paper check. That's a stress nobody needs.
Once your money is landing in your new bank, keep a "buffer" in the Citizens account for about 30 days. This covers any straggling checks or autopays you missed. You'd be surprised how many people forget about that one annual subscription or a check they wrote to a niece three months ago that hasn't been cashed yet.
The Actual Ways to Close Your Account
Citizens Bank gives you a few ways to do this, and some are definitely more annoying than others.
Walking into a branch is usually the most effective method. You get to talk to a human, you get a printed receipt that says "Account Closed," and you can walk out with a cashier's check for your remaining balance. If you live in the Northeast or Mid-Atlantic, there’s probably a branch nearby. Just make sure you bring a valid ID—a driver’s license or passport—because they won't even talk to you about closing an account without it.
If you aren't near a branch, you have to call them.
The number is typically 1-800-922-9999. Be prepared for a bit of a "retention" pitch. The person on the other end is literally paid to keep you as a customer. They might offer to waive fees for a few months or suggest a different account type. If you’re done, just be firm. "I’ve already opened another account and I just want to close this one today, please." It saves time.
Then there is the written request.
This feels old school, but it’s the best way to have a paper trail. You send a signed letter to:
Citizens Bank
P.O. Box 7000
Providence, RI 02940
In that letter, include your name, address, and the specific account numbers you want gone. Do not send your full Social Security number through the mail if you can avoid it, but they might need the last four digits for verification. If there’s money left in the account, tell them exactly where to send the check.
The "Zombie Account" Trap
This is the part that catches most people off guard.
Banks have this weird habit of "reopening" accounts if an automated payment hits it shortly after closure. This is a nightmare scenario. Imagine you close your account on Monday. On Wednesday, an old $15 utility bill hits the account. Some systems at big banks like Citizens might automatically reopen the account to "process" the payment, putting you in the red.
To avoid this, specifically ask the representative to "hard close" the account and ensure no further debits are authorized.
Fees You Might Encounter
Citizens doesn’t usually charge a "closeout fee" just for leaving, which is nice. However, many of their accounts have an Early Account Closure Fee.
If your account has been open for less than six months (180 days), expect to pay around $25. It’s their way of recouping the cost of setting you up in the first place. If you've had the account for years, you’re in the clear on that specific charge.
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Another thing: if you have a linked line of credit or an Overdraft Line of Credit, you have to pay that off in full before they will let you walk away. They won't close an account with a pending balance. Period.
What About Your Documents?
Before you lose access to the online banking portal—which happens almost immediately after the account is closed—download your statements.
You might need them for taxes next year. Or maybe you'll need to prove you paid a specific bill three months from now. Once the account is shut down, getting those records is a massive pain and Citizens will likely charge you $5 or $10 per statement to mail them to you.
Do it now while it’s free.
Final Steps to Take Today
The process isn't hard, but it requires a bit of a sequence to avoid a financial mess.
- Open the new account first. You need a place for your money to land before you pull it out of Citizens.
- Update your direct deposits. Talk to HR or log into your payroll portal.
- Wait for the "all clear." Make sure no pending transactions are sitting in the "authorized" state.
- Move the bulk of the cash, but leave enough to cover any potential small fees or forgotten bills for one last month.
- Contact the bank. Visit a branch, call 1-800-922-9999, or mail your request.
- Get it in writing. Whether it’s a physical receipt from a teller or a confirmation number over the phone, save it.
Once the account is zeroed out and officially closed, destroy your old debit cards and any remaining paper checks. Don't just throw them in the trash; shred them. It sounds paranoid, but identity theft is a real headache that is easily avoided by five minutes with a shredder.
If you have a safe deposit box at a Citizens branch, that’s a separate contract. Closing your checking account doesn't automatically close your box. You'll need to empty it and hand back the keys separately, otherwise, you'll keep getting billed for it annually.
Closing an account is a simple administrative task that only becomes a problem when it's rushed. Take your time, move your money methodically, and make sure you get that final confirmation. You’re in control of where your money lives.