Today have an account in the booth It is something almost essential. But there are times when, for whatever reason, an account that we once had no longer serves us. And many of us have no knowledge about how to close a bank account.
The best thing is that you talk and ask directly at your bank. The process can change a lot from one entity to another, so no one better than an advisor from the entity in which you have it will give you instructions. But in general, the processes to follow are usually very similar to each other, so we are going to help you get an idea of what you should do.
Can I close a bank account from the mobile?
Although as we have mentioned it will depend a lot on the bank in which you have the account, the most common is that it is not possible to close a bank account directly from the mobile phone. The most common thing is that the entities require you to go to an office so that they can explain to you how to close a bank account carefully. Yes, it is true that as a result of the pandemic, the activity witnessed in the offices has been considerably reduced. Therefore, it is possible that at this time they do give you a way to close your account without having to travel.
What you can usually do from your mobile phone is make an appointment you need to be attended in person at your branch.
How to close a bank account from a traditional bank
If the entity in which you have your account is a traditional bank with branches, it is normal that you have to go to the office in which it has been opened. This will be necessary even if the account was opened online.
The normal thing is that you can not get to the office and close your account at the time you want. You will first need to make an appointment with the branch staff. At the time that this appointment takes place, you must go and, after speaking with the staff that manages your closing, sign the necessary documentation. In very specific situations, it is possible that the possibility of carrying out all the procedures for closing the account through certified mail.
How to close a bank account from an online bank
The thing changes radically in the event that the bank in which you have opened your bank account comes from the Bank online, so you don't have an office. In that case, it is likely that you can close the account from your phone.
Most online banks have a mobile app in which we can carry out all kinds of procedures.
This application usually has a section dedicated to the opening and closing of the different accounts that we have contracted with it. The documentation that we must fill out and attach to close the account is usually the same as when we go to the office in person, but in this case we will have to send it through the app or the websites of online banking. In this case, the process is less personalized, but also more comfortable since you do not have to travel.
What if my bank is an online branch of a bank with offices?
Many traditional banks have online branches, which offer more favorable conditions for people with few economic resources in exchange for not having offices. In that case it is difficult to say if you will be able to do the procedure or not from the mobile phone. In principle, the idea of these online banks is that you can go directly to the Internet to carry out any procedure, so everything makes us think that you could close your account through the Internet without a problem.
However, by depending on face-to-face banks with branches, there are some of them in which it is possible that they will make you go directly to the office. The only way to know whether or not you will be able to carry out all the procedures through your smartphone without having to go to the branch is to contact your bank so that they can give you the pertinent instructions.
What happens if the account has several holders?
In the event that the account has several holders, it is normal for all of them to go to the branch to close the account. However, there is also the possibility of granting an empowerment if any of the holders does not want to or cannot go to the office. In your bank they will indicate the papers that you have to carry for this to be possible.
In the event that the bank in which you have the account has the possibility of closing it through the Internet, we always have the possibility that a single person does it. But it will probably be asked documentation from all the people that appear as holders in the account, to ensure that it is not done without the consent of all of them.
Do I have to pay to close an account?
If the process of closing your account is going to be free or you are going to have to pay something for it, it will depend a lot on the conditions that you have agreed with your bank. Some of them offer accounts without cancellation fee. But the normal thing is that in the event that you decide to close, you have no choice but to pay the corresponding commissions.
To inform you of all this, it is best to call your bank and ask them how to close a bank account. On their websites you can also find the contract you signed when you opened it, in which you should find all the conditions and commissions. You have to be careful to read the small print to make sure everything is going well.
Have you ever closed an account online? You can share your experiences with other users in the comments section.