Closing
Account closing, clawbacks, and fee drift.
The work is not finished when the bonus posts. Some offers require the account to stay open or funded after payout, and ordinary account activity can create fees if you stop paying attention.
1. Read the hold period before applying
Some promotions require the account to remain open and in good standing for a minimum period after opening or after the bonus posts. Closing early can create an early-closure fee, bonus reversal, or ineligibility for future promotions.
2. Separate the bonus rule from the fee-waiver rule
A direct deposit may qualify you for a bonus, waive a monthly fee, both, or neither. Confirm the monthly fee waiver separately so the account does not start charging after you stop deposits.
3. Move automatic payments before closing
List recurring transfers, bill payments, subscriptions, payroll deposits, government benefits, and automatic debits. Move them to the replacement account and wait for pending transactions to settle before closing the old account.
4. Keep a small buffer until the account is fully closed
A zero-balance account can still be hit by a fee or delayed payment if something remains active. Keep a practical buffer until you receive confirmation that the account is closed and no more transactions can post.
5. Save closure confirmation
Save secure messages, closure letters, final statements, and the date the account was closed. If a fee or reopening issue appears later, written proof is easier to use than memory.