Closing an Account

If you are dissatisfied with the service you receive from your bank, or you no longer require a UK account, you may wish to close your bank account. To close your account you will usually need to go in person to a branch of your bank with proof of your identity and formally request the closure of the account. The bank will transfer your money to another account, or provide you with cash or a cheque equal to the balance in your account, if you prefer. If you choose to be given your money in cash, you may have to give your bank a few days notice if the total amount exceeds £1,500. Occasionally you will be able to request account closure over the phone or by sending a letter, but you should consult your bank in advance to confirm that this is possible.

UK banks will not normally charge you to close an account but you must ensure that you have settled any outstanding payments before withdrawing the balance of your account. If you ask for your funds to be transferred internationally, you will probably be charged a fee for this service. When closing your account you should also take any account cards or chequebooks with you, and ask for them to be destroyed as a precautionary measure against fraud.