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Does Closing a Savings ACCT Hurt Your Credit (or Score)?

Written, Reviewed and Fact-Checked by The Credit People

Key Takeaway

Closing a savings account will not hurt your credit score because savings accounts don’t appear on credit reports. Ensure your balance is zero and all automatic payments are redirected to avoid fees or missed payments that could harm your credit indirectly.

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Will Closing A Savings Account Lower My Credit Score?

No, closing a savings account won’t directly lower your credit score. Savings accounts aren’t reported to credit bureaus like loans or credit cards, so shutting one down doesn’t touch your credit history. The bureaus don’t care if you open or close a savings account - it’s irrelevant to your score.

But here’s the catch: mess up the process, and you might indirectly hurt your credit. If you close the account with a negative balance, the bank could send it to collections, which does get reported and tanks your score. Also, if you forget to redirect automatic payments (like for a credit card bill), missed payments will ding you. Check for linked transactions first. For joint accounts, the same rules apply - just make sure no debts linger. See what happens to automatic payments linked to a closed savings account? for specifics.

Bottom line? Close it clean - zero balances, no pending payments - and your credit won’t blink.

Does A Savings Account Appear On My Credit Report?

No, your savings account does not appear on your credit report. Credit bureaus like Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax only track borrowing behavior - think credit cards, loans, and mortgages. Since a savings account doesn’t involve debt or payments, it’s irrelevant to your credit score.

That said, if you overdraft or close the account with unpaid fees, the bank might report it to ChexSystems, a separate system that tracks banking missteps. This won’t hurt your credit, but it could make opening new accounts harder. Keep your savings in good standing, and it’ll stay off both reports. For more on closures, see will closing a savings account lower my credit score?.

3 Ways Closing A Savings Account Can Affect Credit History

Closing a savings account doesn’t directly hurt your credit score, but it can still mess with your credit history in three sneaky ways. Here’s how - and what to watch for.

First, unpaid negative balances can bite you. If you close a savings account with a negative balance (like an overdraft), the bank treats it as debt. Ignore it, and they might send it to collections, which does show up on your credit report. Savings accounts aren’t reported to credit bureaus normally, but collections? Big red flag. Always zero out your balance before closing.

Second, automatic payments can backfire. If bills or loans pull from that account and you forget to redirect them, missed payments hit your credit history. The account closure itself isn’t the problem - it’s the ripple effect. Update all linked payments first (check what happens to automatic payments linked to a closed savings account? for help).

Third, banks report to agencies like ChexSystems. Close with a negative balance or sloppy paperwork, and future banks might see you as high-risk. While ChexSystems doesn’t affect your credit score, it can block you from opening new accounts - which indirectly complicates credit-building. Close cleanly to avoid this.

Double-check balances, reroute payments, and close properly. Your credit history will thank you.

Will My Bank Notify Credit Bureaus After I Close My Savings Account?

No, your bank won’t notify credit bureaus just because you closed a savings account. Savings accounts aren’t credit products, so Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax don’t track them - they care about loans and credit cards, not your $5 rainy-day fund. Banks only report to credit bureaus if you owe them money and it goes to collections, like when an unpaid negative balance gets handed off to a debt collector who reports it.

That said, banks might flag your account to ChexSystems (a separate system for deposit accounts) if you close it with unpaid fees or overdrafts. This won’t hurt your credit score, but it could make opening future accounts harder. Always zero out your balance before closing - skip the drama. For more on how closures indirectly affect credit, see 3 ways closing a savings account can affect credit history.

Does Closing A Joint Savings Account Hurt Both Owners’ Credit?

Closing a joint savings account won’t directly hurt either owner’s credit score. Savings accounts aren’t reported to credit bureaus like credit cards or loans, so closing one doesn’t show up on your credit report. The act itself is neutral - no points lost, no drama. But (and there’s always a "but"), if the account has a negative balance when closed, things get messy. Banks may report that to ChexSystems, a system that tracks banking missteps, making it harder for both of you to open new accounts later.

Indirect risks exist too. Unpaid overdrafts or fees can get sent to collections, which does tank credit scores for both parties. Also, if you forget to reroute automatic payments tied to the account, missed payments on other bills could hurt your credit. Double-check balances and redirects before closing. For more on linked accounts, see what happens to automatic payments linked to a closed savings account?

Can Closing Multiple Savings Accounts Affect My Creditworthiness?

Closing multiple savings accounts won’t directly hurt your credit score. Savings accounts aren’t credit products, so closures aren’t reported to credit bureaus like loans or cards. But - and this is key - indirect mess-ups can bite you.

First, unresolved negative balances are trouble. If you close an account with fees or overdrafts unpaid, the bank might send it to collections. That can hit your credit report. Research on how banks handle unpaid fees shows this often triggers reporting. Always zero out balances first. Second, ChexSystems (a banking background-check system) tracks closures with red flags, like unpaid debts. While it doesn’t affect your credit score, future banks might deny you accounts.

Bottom line: Close accounts cleanly, keep some savings visible for lenders, and check how fee structures vary to avoid surprises. For deeper dives, see how does closing savings affect future loan applications?

How Does Closing A Savings Account Affect Debit History?

Closing a savings account stops all linked debit transactions immediately - no more transfers, payments, or card access. If you had automatic debits set up (like bill payments), they’ll fail unless you update them to a new account. Missed payments can snowball into late fees or even collections, which can hurt your credit if those debts get reported. Always redirect automatic debits before closing!

Unresolved issues like overdraft fees? Big problem. Banks report negative balances or mismanagement to ChexSystems, a banking watchdog that tracks your account behavior. While ChexSystems doesn’t touch credit scores, future banks will see this when you apply for new accounts. No direct credit hit, but you might get denied for a checking account later. For a deeper dive, check what happens to linked credit accounts after closing savings?.

What Happens To Linked Credit Accounts After Closing Savings?

Closing your savings account won’t directly touch your linked credit accounts - savings accounts don’t show up on credit reports, so your score stays untouched. But here’s the catch: if you had automatic payments (like credit card bills) pulling from that savings account, those links break the second you close it. Missed payments hurt credit scores fast, and lenders won’t care it was an accident. Update those payment methods pronto, or you’ll face late fees and credit dings.

Indirectly, closing savings can rattle lenders. If you’re applying for a loan, they often check your liquid assets - like that savings account - to gauge stability. Suddenly showing way less cash might raise eyebrows, even if your credit score’s fine. Research shows lenders scrutinize liquidity shifts, so plan ahead if you’re eyeing big purchases. For more on lender reactions, see how does closing savings affect future loan applications?.

How Does Closing Savings Affect Future Loan Applications?

Closing a savings account can mess with future loan applications, but not in the way you might think. Lenders care about your liquid assets - cash or stuff they can quickly turn into cash - because it shows you’re financially stable. If you close a savings account right before applying, especially for big loans like mortgages, it shrinks your visible reserves. That makes lenders nervous. They might scrutinize your application harder or even ask for more proof you can handle payments. Keep enough cash handy to avoid this headache.

Indirect risks matter too. Closing the account itself won’t hurt your credit score (savings activity isn’t reported to credit bureaus). But if you leave a negative balance unpaid, it could go to collections and tank your credit. Also, banks report closures to ChexSystems, a behind-the-scenes system that tracks your banking habits. Too many closed accounts? Lenders might see you as flaky. Always settle balances and avoid closing multiple accounts at once. For more on credit ties, check does a savings account appear on my credit report?.

Are There Fees For Closing A Savings Account?

Yes, some banks charge fees for closing a savings account, especially if you do it too soon after opening. Early closure fees typically range from $5 to $50, and they often kick in if you close the account within 90 to 180 days. For example, big banks like Chase or Bank of America might hit you with a $25 fee if you bail within six months. Smaller banks or credit unions may waive these fees, but always check their fine print - they love hiding surprises there.

To dodge these fees, call your bank and ask about their closure policy before pulling the trigger. Make sure your balance is at zero or positive, too. Closing with a negative balance? That’s a recipe for extra penalties or even collections, which can mess up your banking history. For more on avoiding fallout, check out 5 tips to close a savings account safely without problems.

What Happens To Automatic Payments Linked To A Closed Savings Account?

Closing your savings account cuts off all automatic payments linked to it - immediately. Those recurring bills, subscriptions, or loan payments? They’ll bounce. The bank rejects them because the account no longer exists. This isn’t just inconvenient; it can trigger late fees from service providers or lenders. Missed credit card payments, for example, often come with hefty penalties and - if left unresolved - can tank your credit score. Research shows credit card late fees harm scores more than people realize.

Update your payment details ASAP. Switch automatic withdrawals to a new account before closing the old one. Confirm changes with each company to avoid surprises. Even one failed payment can snowball into credit damage, which lingers for years. For a smooth transition, check out 5 tips to close a savings account safely without problems.

5 Tips To Close A Savings Account Safely Without Problems

Closing a savings account safely is easy if you follow these five steps - skip them, and you’ll regret it later.

1. Redirect automatic payments and deposits first. Move recurring bills (like Netflix or utilities) and income deposits (like paychecks) to another account. Miss this, and payments bounce, causing fees or even credit score dings for linked credit obligations.

2. Clear your balance - no negatives. A $0 or positive balance avoids fees or reports to banking agencies. Negative balances? They’ll haunt you when opening future accounts.

3. Ask about closure fees. Banks love charging $5–50+ for early closures. Check your agreement or call them - don’t let surprises eat your money.

4. Save your transaction history. Download statements for taxes or budgeting. Savings accounts don’t show on credit reports, but your records matter.

5. Get closure confirmation in writing. Verbally closing isn’t enough. Email or letter proof stops "oops, still open" surprises later.

Do this, and you’ll dodge fees, headaches, and credit hiccups. For deeper credit impacts, check does closing a savings account lower my credit score?.

Should I Close An Unused Savings Account Or Keep It Open?

Closing an unused savings account usually makes sense if it’s costing you money - like monthly fees or minimum balance charges. Why pay for something you’re not using? But if it’s fee-free and doesn’t require a minimum balance, keeping it open can be smart. You might need it later for emergencies or to park cash without disrupting your main accounts. Plus, research on automatic saving behavior shows having multiple accounts can subtly encourage better financial habits.

The good news? Closing a savings account won’t tank your credit score - savings activity isn’t reported to credit bureaus unless you owe money. But keeping it open might strengthen your relationship with the bank, which could help with future loans or perks. Weigh fees against flexibility. If the account is useless and expensive, dump it. If it’s harmless and might come in handy, leave it. For more on credit impacts, check does a savings account appear on my credit report?

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