You can close a Bank of America account online, by phone, or in person at a branch
Bank of America lets you close a checking or savings account through three routes: their website or mobile app, a phone call to customer service, or a visit to a local branch. The fastest method is usually online if you have no outstanding checks or automatic payments still pending. If you do have active transactions, closing by phone or in person gives you a chance to work through them with someone who can see your account in real time.
Before you close, make sure your account balance is zero or you have arranged to withdraw or transfer the remaining funds. Bank of America will not close an account with money still in it. You should also cancel any automatic bill payments, direct deposits, or recurring transfers linked to that account at least a few days before you close it.
Key Takeaways
- Your account balance must be zero before Bank of America will close the account; transfer or withdraw any remaining funds first.
- Stop all automatic payments, direct deposits, and recurring transfers at least a few days before closing to avoid failed transactions.
- Closing online through the Bank of America website or app is the fastest route if you have no pending transactions.
- If you close by phone, call the number on the back of your debit card or visit bankofamerica.com to find the customer service number for your account type.
- Keep your account open for at least 10 days after the last transaction to may support all pending items clear before the account closes.
How to close your account online
Log into your Bank of America account on the website or mobile app. Go to the settings or account management section — the exact location varies slightly between the website and app, but both have a "Close Account" or "Account Services" option in the menu. Select the account you want to close from your list of accounts.
Bank of America will ask you to confirm that your balance is zero and that you have no pending transactions. If you do have a balance, you will not be able to proceed; you must transfer or withdraw the money first. Once you confirm, the system will process the closure. You should receive a confirmation email within a few minutes.
How to close your account by phone
Call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or check. If you do not have a card, visit bankofamerica.com and search for "customer service phone number" — the number depends on whether you have a personal or business account. Have your account number and a form of identification ready when you call.
Tell the representative you want to close the account. They will verify your identity, confirm your balance is zero, and check for any pending transactions or automatic payments. If everything is clear, they will process the closure over the phone. Ask for a confirmation number and note the date and time of the call. You should receive a written confirmation in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
How to close your account in person at a branch
Visit any Bank of America branch with a valid government-issued ID and your debit card or account number. Tell a representative you want to close the account. They will pull up your account, confirm your balance is zero, and check for pending transactions.
If everything is in order, the representative will process the closure on the spot. You will receive a receipt showing the account has been closed. This method is useful if you have questions about pending transactions or if you want to close multiple accounts at once, since a representative can walk you through each one.
What happens to pending checks and automatic payments
Any checks you have written that have not yet cleared will bounce if the account is closed. Before you close, contact anyone you recently wrote a check to and ask them to hold off on depositing it, or issue a replacement check from a different account. Similarly, any automatic bill payments scheduled to come out of that account after closure will fail.
Stop all automatic payments and recurring transfers at least 3 to 5 business days before you close the account. Log into your account and cancel each one individually, or call customer service and ask them to cancel them for you. Make a list of which companies you have set up autopay with so you do not forget any.
What to do with direct deposits before closing
If you receive a paycheck, government benefits, or other regular deposits into the account you are closing, you must update the deposit instructions before the account closes. Contact your employer's payroll department or the organization sending the deposit and provide them with your new account number if you are switching to a different bank, or confirm that deposits should stop if you are not opening a replacement account.
Direct deposits typically process on a set schedule, so update your information at least one pay period before you close the account. If a deposit arrives after the account is closed, it will be returned to the sender, and you may have to contact them to resubmit it to the correct account.
How long it takes for an account to fully close
Bank of America typically closes an account within 1 to 3 business days after you request closure, but the account may remain open for up to 10 days to allow any pending transactions to clear. Do not assume the account is gone when ready. If a check or automatic payment is still processing, the account will stay active until it clears.
Once the account is fully closed, you will no longer be able to access it online or use any debit card linked to it. If you need to verify that the account is closed, log into your Bank of America account and check whether the account still appears in your account list. If it does not, the closure is complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my account if I have a negative balance?
No. You must pay off any negative balance before Bank of America will close the account. Contact customer service or visit a branch to find out the exact amount owed, then make a payment from another account. Once the balance is zero, you can proceed with closure.
What if I have a credit card with Bank of America — does closing my checking account affect it?
No. Closing a checking or savings account does not affect any credit cards you have with Bank of America. They are separate accounts. However, if you have set up automatic payments from the checking account to pay your credit card bill, you will need to update that payment method before you close the account.
Will closing my account hurt my credit score?
Closing a bank account does not directly affect your credit score. Bank of America does not report checking or savings accounts to credit bureaus. However, if you have an outstanding balance or unpaid fees, those could be reported and affect your score.
Can I reopen a closed Bank of America account?
Bank of America does not automatically reopen closed accounts. If you want to bank with them again, you will need to open a new account. Contact a branch or visit bankofamerica.com to start a new account process.
What if I close my account but still have pending transactions?
Keep the account open until all pending transactions clear. Bank of America will hold the account open for up to 10 days after closure to process any outstanding items. If a transaction arrives after that window, it will be rejected and returned to the sender.