You can close a Bank of America account by phone, in person, or online, but the method depends on your account type and whether you have outstanding balances

Bank of America lets you close most checking and savings accounts through multiple channels. The fastest route is calling their customer service line at 1-800-432-1000, where a representative can walk you through the process and confirm your account is empty. If you prefer to close in person, visit any Bank of America branch with a photo ID and ask to speak with an account representative. Online closure is available for some account types through your Bank of America login, though this option is not available for all products.

Before you close any account, you must withdraw or transfer all remaining funds and may support no automatic payments or direct deposits are still linked to it. If you have a negative balance, you will need to pay it before closure. The bank will not close an account with outstanding fees or pending transactions.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 1-800-432-1000 to close your account over the phone, which is the fastest method for most account types.
  • You must have a zero balance and no pending transactions before Bank of America will close your account.
  • Stop all automatic payments and direct deposits linked to the account at least a few days before you request closure.
  • If you have a credit card or loan with Bank of America, closing a deposit account does not affect those products.
  • The bank will send you written confirmation of the closure within one to two weeks.

What to do before you call or visit

Empty your account completely by withdrawing cash or transferring the balance to another bank. Bank of America will not close an account that still holds money. If you receive direct deposits, change the deposit instructions with your employer or benefit provider at least five business days before you request closure, so the final deposit does not land in the closed account.

Cancel any automatic bill payments or recurring transfers tied to the account. Log into your Bank of America online banking or call customer service to review what is still active. This step prevents payments from bouncing after closure and stops the bank from reopening your account to process a transaction.

Gather any outstanding checks you have written from this account and make sure they have cleared. If you have checks still in circulation, wait until they post before closing. Pay off any negative balance or overdraft fees — the bank will not proceed with closure until these are settled.

Closing by phone

Call Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000 during business hours. Have your account number and a photo ID ready. The representative will verify your identity, confirm your account balance is zero, and check for any linked services or pending transactions.

The representative will ask why you are closing the account — this is optional information, and you do not have to provide a detailed reason. They will then process the closure and provide you with a confirmation number. Write this down or ask them to email it to you.

The account will close when ready, though it may take one to two weeks for the closure to appear in your online banking. You will receive written confirmation by mail. If you have questions after the call, reference your confirmation number when you contact the bank again.

Closing in person at a branch

Visit any Bank of America branch location with your photo ID and debit card or account information. Tell the representative you want to close your account. They will verify your identity and check that your balance is zero and no transactions are pending.

The branch representative can close the account on the spot and provide you with a receipt showing the closure date and confirmation number. This method is useful if you want to withdraw cash at the same time or if you prefer to handle it face-to-face.

If you have multiple accounts, specify which one you want to close. The bank will not close all your accounts unless you explicitly request it. After closure, your debit card will stop working, so do not rely on it for future purchases.

Closing online

Some Bank of America account types can be closed through online banking. Log into your account, navigate to the settings or account management section, and look for a "Close Account" or "Manage Account" option. Not all account types support online closure — if you do not see this option, you will need to call or visit a branch.

If the online option is available, follow the prompts to confirm your identity and verify that your balance is zero. The system will ask you to confirm the closure before it processes. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email.

Online closure typically takes effect when ready, though it may take a few business days to appear in your account history. If you encounter an error or the option is not available, call customer service instead.

What happens after you close your account

Your debit card will stop working when ready. If you have checks linked to this account, they will be rejected if deposited after the closure date. Any pending transactions that have not yet posted may still go through — the bank will attempt to process them against the closed account, which can result in returned item fees if you do not have funds elsewhere to cover them.

Bank of America will keep a record of your closed account for your file. If you need documentation of the closure or account history, you can request it by calling customer service or visiting a branch. The bank typically retains records for seven years.

If you had overdraft protection linked to another account or credit line, that service will end. Make sure any other accounts you use do not depend on the closed account for backup funding.

Closing a joint account

If the account is held jointly with another person, both account holders must agree to close it. Bank of America requires either both owners to call together, both to visit a branch in person, or one owner to provide written authorization from the other. Call customer service to ask about the authorization process if you cannot both be present.

When a joint account closes, neither owner can access it afterward. If one owner wants to keep the account open, the other owner cannot unilaterally close it. You would need to remove one owner from the account first, which creates a new account for the remaining owner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will closing my Bank of America account hurt my credit score?

Closing a deposit account (checking or savings) does not affect your credit score because deposit accounts are not reported to credit bureaus. Credit cards and loans are reported, so closing those products may have a small impact, but closing a checking or savings account alone will not.

What if I have a negative balance or owe fees?

You must pay any negative balance or outstanding fees before the bank will close your account. Call customer service or visit a branch to find out the exact amount owed, then pay it by transferring funds from another account or depositing cash. Once the balance is zero, you can proceed with closure.

Can I reopen a Bank of America account after I close it?

Yes, you can open a new account at any time. However, if you closed the account due to a negative balance or fraud dispute, the bank may review your history before approving a new account. There is no waiting period, but the approval process may take a few business days.

What if I close my account but still have pending direct deposits or bill payments?

Direct deposits and bill payments will be rejected and returned to the sender. Your employer or biller will receive a notice that the account is closed. You should update your direct deposit information with your employer and change bill payment details with your creditors before you close the account to avoid missed payments or returned deposit fees.

Do I need to close my debit card separately?

No, your debit card is tied to your account and will stop working automatically when the account closes. You do not need to take any separate action to deactivate the card. If you want to destroy it, you can cut it up after the account is closed.